All Focus articles – Page 10
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FocusLeila Schayegh's top 5 tips on historically informed vibrato
The Baroque violinist shares her wisdom on how to use vibrato authentically
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Life Lessons: Alban Gerhardt
The German cellist on an 18th birthday gift and the accessible appeal of the cello repertoire
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Masterclass: Schubert Quartet no.14, ‘Death And The Maiden’
Second violinist of the Chiaroscuro Quartet, Pablo Hernán Benedí , looks at the first movement of a work filled with secrets, threats, drama and tension
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In focus: The ‘Wieniawski’ Stradivarius of 1719
In this article from the May 2009 issue, Florian Leonhard takes a close look at a violin which ’encapsulates everything that made Antonio Stradivari such a legendary figure’. Photographs by Richard Valencia
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Kim Kashkashian's top 5 tips on combating stage fright
The Armenian-American violist used to get ‘terribly nervous’ when performing as a teenager. Here she shares her tips on preparing psychologically for a concert
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Mischa Maisky on working with Leonard Bernstein
The cellist, who celebrated his 70th birthday this year, reminisces about performing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with Leonard Bernstein. Interview by Peter Quantrill
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Vilde Frang on the mentors who steered her from talented teen to fully-fledged artist
In this extract from her December issue cover story, the Norwegian violinist discusses learning that raw talent and the pleasure of music making need a solid technical backing. Interview by Charlotte Gardner
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Masterclass: Carolin Widmann on Schumann Violin Sonata no.2
Interpretational insights into the first movement of a work written by a musical genius with an increasingly unsettled mind
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5 views on building a portfolio career
Solo performer, orchestra member, teacher, conductor – most string players juggle roles. Sarah Mnatzaganian talks to some portfolio musicians to see how they do it
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Cecilia Zilliacus brings a distinctly Nordic flavour to the Brahms Violin Concerto
In our latest Session Report we join the Swedish violinist in the studio as she records Brahms. Interview by Andrew Mellor
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Developing arm, wrist and finger vibrato
Rok Klopčič takes a look at different types of vibrato through the eyes of the great teachers and players - from the June 2003 issue
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4 tips on using antiquing methods to give an instrument a warm look
John Simmers shares his wisdom on finding a balance between antiquing and not antiquing
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Postcard from Colorado
At this year’s Aspen Festival and School, an array of leading performers rubbed shoulders with hundreds of enthusiastic young musicians. Bruce Hodges soaked up the clear mountain air
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Four Paul Rolland exercises
Nancy Kredel describes some of the simpler actions devised by pioneering pedagogue Paul Rolland, our November 2018 issue cover star
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In focus: violin by Vincenzo Postiglione, 1891
Sean Bishop examines a violin by the most prolific and finest Neapolitan makers of the second half of the 19th century. From the January 2008 issue. Photographs by Richard Valencia [click ‘+’ to zoom]
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6 tips for smooth bow changes
Advice on smooth and inaudible bow changes at the tip and the heel from The Strad's archives
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James Ehnes: ‘you should never be scared of Beethoven's Violin Concerto'
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto has been a mainstay of the Canadian violinist’s repertoire since his teenage years, but it retains its ability to inspire
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10 tips for learning and teaching sightreading
Advice from The Strad’s archive on how to improve sightreading and reminders of its crucial place in any good musician’s skillset
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The 1724 'Cecil' Stradivarius – a masterpiece unseen and unheard
Despite having been examined by some of the best-known experts in history, the violin has spent centuries largely hidden – until now. John Dilworth examines one of the least regarded instruments by the Cremonese master
