All Features articles – Page 2
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: cellist Anastasia Kobekina on recording the Bach Solo Cello Suites
Cellist Anastasia Kobekina tells Charlotte Gardner about her approach to recording the monumental Bach Solo Cello Suites, and how it has resulted in her most personal album to date
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Premium ❘ FeatureLutherie in Berlin: Berlin calling
While some European capitals have a well-documented history of violin making, Berlin has passed under the radar. Daniel Kogge looks at some of the German capital’s most prominent makers from the 18th century onwards
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Premium ❘ FeatureNotes between friends: Denver Adult Strings Camp
When violinist Sarah Jylkka launched a summer camp for adult string learners in Colorado, she was overwhelmed by the uptake. She speaks to Hattie Butterworth about how the Denver Adult Strings Camp has become a thriving, growing initiative
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Premium ❘ FeatureTabea Zimmermann: climb every mountain
German violist Tabea Zimmermann chats with Pauline Harding about auditions, competitions, her teaching philosophy, what she’s learnt from contemporary music – and how a combination of working with students and performing has enabled her to reach ever greater heights of string playing
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Premium ❘ FeatureGary Karr: 1941–2025
The great and influential US double bassist died in July. His former student David Murray, now bass professor at the Butler School of Music, looks back at ‘a legend, artist, teacher and friend’
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Premium ❘ FeatureBridge acoustics: the invisible bridge
Is it possible to simulate the effects of bridge adjustment in a computer? Physicist Jim Woodhouse presents the results of a series of experiments to demonstrate the possibilities
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Premium ❘ FeatureString players and injury: playing through the pain?
Violinist and teacher Philippa Bunting explores the – often extreme – impact that an injury can have on a musician, how the industry is dealing with the issue and what musicians can do to help themselves
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Violinist Rachel Podger on recording Biber sonatas
Violinist Rachel Podger tells Peter Quantrill about her new recording of Biber sonatas, and how the music has both a sense of the unexpected and the power to soothe and delight
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Premium ❘ FeatureTeaching lutherie in Latin America: sowing the seeds for success
Peter Somerford explores how an instrument repair initiative, set up by the Latin American youth orchestra venture Iberorquestas and violin maker Lionnel Genovart, has grown to create a new generation of luthiers
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Premium ❘ FeatureColeridge-Taylor 150: ‘A message of hope and resilience’
August 2025 marks 150 years since the birth of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, the British composer and violinist. Bruce Hodges speaks to five leading violinists about what his music means to them
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Premium ❘ FeatureAbel Selaocoe: I am because we are
South African cellist, singer and composer Abel Selaocoe speaks to Lauren Wesley-Smith about opening up classical spaces, finding his musical identity, and his most recent album – as well as sharing a few pearls of wisdom
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Premium ❘ FeatureSofia Gubaidulina: a musical offering
Gavin Dixon examines the spiritual, visionary string works of the Russian–Tatar composer Sofia Gubaidulina, who died earlier this year
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Premium ❘ FeatureStaying power: US String Quartets
As Brooklyn Rider and the Jack and the Miró quartets mark milestone anniversaries, Thomas May looks at how these contemporary American ensembles are not just surviving, but reshaping the 21st-century musical landscape
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Premium ❘ FeatureCharles Beare: 1937–2025
One of the world’s most renowned violin experts died on 26 April this year. Anne Inglis looks back at his life, while friends and colleagues share their memories
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Nancy Zhou on her debut album for solo violin
Violinist Nancy Zhou speaks to Charlotte Gardner about her debut album, which is inspired by stories of personal and musical relationships, and showcases the versatility of the violin as a solo instrument
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Premium ❘ FeatureAdam Summerhayes: Music shaped by instinct
Adam Summerhayes is a violinist and composer who combines his flair for improvisation and a love of folk music with a classical training and technique. He speaks to Alexandra Petropoulos about his latest projects and his very special instruments
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Premium ❘ FeaturePower and majesty: Domenico Montagnana ‘Farina’ cello 1730
Made by Domenico Montagnana in 1730, the ‘Farina’ cello is a stunning instrument with a rich, powerful sound. John Waddle and Steve Sirr delve into its history and show how CT scans helped gather measurements for this month’s poster
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Premium ❘ FeatureTerry Riley: Ninety journeys around the sun
The trailblazing Californian composer Terry Riley celebrates his 90th birthday this month. David Kettle speaks with him and with some of the musicians who have championed his eclectic, improvisatory music for strings
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Premium ❘ FeaturePatent pending: instrument innovations in the 18th century
The 18th century saw an explosion in creativity from inventors trying to find the ‘next big thing’ in stringed instrument innovation. Rachael Durkin examines some of the artefacts from the dawn of the industrial age
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Leon Bosch on recording his album ‘The British Double Bass Sonatina’
Leon Bosch tells Harry White about his new album of double bass sonatinas – seven brand new works that he commissioned from a circle of contemporary British composers
