All Focus articles – Page 11
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FocusIn focus: the 1706 'Brott-Turner/Schumacher' Tecchler cello
Tom Wilder examines an instrument in an excellent state of preservation by the foremost maker of the Roman school. From the September 2014 issue of The Strad
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Sentimental work: Rick Stotijn on Joseph Marx's Adagio
The Adagio by the little-known Austrian composer Joseph Marx provides a unique inspiration for the Dutch double bassist – and an opportunity to perform alongside his sister Christianne
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Isabelle Faust on how playing period instruments has improved her bowing
Our January 2019 issue cover star on bringing her unusually active and flexible right arm technique to bear with a classical Tourte bow and the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Strad
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8 practice tips from Sheku Kanneh-Mason
The British cellist shares his wisdom on practising effectively
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4 reasons why I love Vaughan Williams
The violist Philip Dukes explains his affinity for the British composer’s music
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5 singing string players
We profile some of the multi-talented string players who manage to sing while playing their instrument
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How do you notate the music of aural tradition?
In this article from our December issue Violinist Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen and cellist Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin from the Danish Quartet speak to Andrew Mellor about the difficulties of notating music passed down by aural tradition
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Blank canvas: unvarnished 5-string instruments
These unvarnished five-string violins and violas are built by a Chinese maker using flamed maple and seasoned spruce. They feature extra-wide necks, extended pegboxes and adjusted bass-bars, and most have one-piece backs. Both designs are based on Stradivari models and include ebony fingerboards, nuts and saddles. ...
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Steven Isserlis: What we can learn from the great players of the past
In his guest editorial for the Strad’s October 2013 issue, the cellist introduced a focus on what 21st-century artists can learn from some of the greatest players of the previous century
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Hair’s breadth: postcard from the Shanghai Isaac Stern Violin Competition
In its second edition, the $100,000 competition was decided by a tiny margin, and showcased many impressive performances along the way. Strad editor Charlotte Smith attended the finals
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Alisa Weilerstein's top 5 tips on maintaining a natural stage presence
The American cellist talks about physical gesture, articulation and the value of taking things slowly
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In focus: 1850 violin by Giuseppe Rocca
John Dilworth examines a violin from the height of Rocca’s powers, after he left the Pressenda workshop to strike out on his own. From the January 2011 issue of The Strad
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Amandine Beyer's top 5 tips for aspiring Baroque violinists
The French violinist shares her wisdom on giving a convincing historically-informed performance
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Eldbjørg Hemsing's top 3 tips on maintaining the spark in your playing
The Norwegian violinist, whose disc we review in our December issue, shares her insight on warding off boredom in performances
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3 views on developing a positive approach to learning an instrument
Three musicians share their ideas, developed from years of teaching experience
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Master stroke: Schilbach varnishing brush
The tapered and split synthetic fibres of this brush are designed to absorb a large volume of oil or spirit varnish, to enable its controlled and uniform application. It has an untreated hornbeam wood handle and solvent-resistant plastic ferrule, eliminating the risk of staining to the ...
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Travelling light: Musafia Lievissima Evolution case
A high-specification case that makes easy work of instrument transport
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8 questions for Thomas Riebl: on being a violist, his five-string instrument and more
Following his workshop at the Shanghai Conservatory’s Viva La Viola Festival, the Austrian soloist and chamber musician talks to our correspondent Nancy Pellegrini
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Arc Rest: support without elevation
A cellular foam pad attached to a piece of lightweight balsa wood, the Arc shoulder rest for violin and viola is held in place using a durable silicone band that minimises its contact with the instrument. The rest weighs just 11 grams and is designed to ...
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All kitted out: violin accessory set
Manufactured in India to Italian designs, these accessory sets comprise four heart-shaped pegs, a decorative end-button, a Guarneri-style chinrest with Hill-style clamps and a Hill-style tailpiece. They are available in ebony and rosewood with a black trim to the tailpiece and black pin collars and pegs, and in boxwood trimmed ...
