All Fine-Contemporary articles – Page 9
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DebateNew research into the development of violin f-holes is simplistic at best
The theory that the shape of Italian violin f-holes came about by 'accidental fluctuations' ignores a number of well-known facts, argues Stewart Pollens
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GalleryMoscow Camerata Chamber Orchestra presents 'Five Great Violins'
The Moscow Camerata Chamber Orchestra, led by violinist and artistic director Dmitri Kogan, presented 'Five Great Violins', a programme of popular classics at London’s Barbican Centre on 30 March 2015. The solos are played on five instruments by the great masters: Nicolò Amati, Antonio Stradivarius, Giuseppe Guarnieri del Gesù, J.B. ...
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ArticleBruno Giuranna plays a 1715 Stradivarius viola
Bruno Giuranna, who writes about tone production in The Strad's March 2015 issue Technique section, performs Marin Marais on a 1717 Stradivarius viola with pianist Clara Dutto at the Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy. Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of ...
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News2-string 3D printed violin to be revealed in New York
The instrument is one of five pieces created using the cutting edge technology
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BlogsFinding your perfect stringed instrument
Jean-Jacques Rampal of Vatelot–Rampal Luthiers, Paris, tells Pauline Harding about the challenges of matching musicians with their ideal musical partners
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ArticleRo-Bow † a self-playing 'kinetic sculpture' violin
Following our look at the Mills Violano Virtuoso† a self-playing violin invented in the early 1900s † engineer Seth Goldstein has invented the Ro-Bow, which moves bow, violin and mechanical fingers via electromagnetic technology. Read about the Campanula† featuring four playing and twelve sympathetic ...
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ArticleThe Mills Violano Virtuoso † a self-playing violin
The self-playing Violano-Virtuoso was invented by the Mills Novelty Company † Chicago-based specialists in slot machines, vending machines and juke boxes † in the early 1900s when player pianos and mechanical coin-operated devices were extremely popular. Early models were called Automatic Virtuosa and later a piano mechanism was ...
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NewsCalling Canadian violinists and cellists: applications now open for Musical Instrument Bank
The Canadian organisation loans fine instruments and bows to musicians every three years
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BlogsThe Campanula: a new option for stringed instrument players
Helmut Bleffert’s instrument features four playing and 16 sympathetic strings, writes former Berlin Philharmonic principal cellist Georg Faust. Watch a video below.
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NewsViolin sound and design developed by accident, say researchers
The evolution of f-hole shape and back plate thickness are likely the result of small errors in the copying process
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GalleryFrom the Archive: a violin by Joseph Guarnerius, filius Andreae
This illustration of a violin by Joseph Guarnerius, filius Andreae was published in The Strad, July 1937. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:This violin is of especial interest inasmuch, according to the eminent authority Mr Alfred Hill, there are distinct signs that Joseph Guarnerius del ...
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ArticleGlenn Donnellan plays his electric baseball bat violin
National Symphony Orchestra violinist Glenn Donnellan plays the American national anthem at a Washington Nationals game on his 'Electric Slugger', an electric violin he made himself from a Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Skip to 1.30mins for the beginning of his performance.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital ...
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ArticleViolincopter: how to make a violin soar
One of the web's more bizarre videos... What do you get if you combine a violin with a helicopter? A violincopter of course! Watch Alejo Pesce's instrument fly...Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click ...
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ArticleBBC documentary investigates the life and work of Stradivarius - part 2
Clemency Burton-Hill investigates the life and work of Antonio Stradivari in a BBC documentary from 2013, including close-up analysis of his ‘Serdet’, ‘Viotti’ and ‘Messiah’ violins. Violinist Jennifer Pike also takes part. Watch part one of the programme.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part ...
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GalleryFrom the Archive: Antonio Stradivarius ‘Goddard’ violin, Cremona, 1686
This illustration of the ‘Goddard’ Stradivarius violin was published in The Strad, May 1964. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:This Stradivarius was made at the period when – to quote Messers Hill – Stradivarius ‘reached the plentitude of his powers as a craftsman’.The Strad is ...
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ArticleBBC documentary investigates the life and work of Stradivarius - part 1
Clemency Burton-Hill investigates the life and work of Antonio Stradivari in a BBC documentary from 2013, including close-up analysis of his 'Serdet', 'Viotti' and 'Messiah' violins. Violinist Jennifer Pike also takes part. Part two of the programme features The Strad magazine.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital ...
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ArticleAnne Akiko Meyers talks about her violins
You're installing your personality into this piece of wood, which is still very much alive'Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers talks about her Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesù instruments as part of a CBS news report on violin making.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of ...
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NewsViolins of Hope: an exhibition at the Berlin Philharmonie
27 January is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. To mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, members of the Berlin Philharmonic will play a special chamber concert this evening, using the instruments of Jewish musicians who fled from the Nazis in Germany or survived ...
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GalleryFrom the Archive: a Carlo Antonio Testore violin, 1743
This illustration of a Carlo Antonio Testore violin was published in The Strad, November 1916. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:Much of the work of the Testore family is roughly or carelessly finished, but that this was due to any lack of executive skill is ...
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Article5 solutions to slipping violin pegs
Online piano and violin tutor Alison Sparrow demonstrates five ways to prevent slipping violin pegs.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.
