All Focus articles – Page 13
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FocusMasterclass: Steven Tenenbom, Schumann Märchenbilder
The American viola soloist, chamber musician, and teacher explores how to find your own sense of character and flow in the first two contrasting pieces
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5 tips for practising effectively from Chloë Hanslip
Tieing in with her new CD of Beethoven sonatas, the violinist shares a few insights
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Life Lessons: Lynn Harrell
The American cellist, who turned 75 earlier this year, looks back at the beginnings of his life as a musician
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Sheku Kanneh-Mason: 'I was always being inspired by amazing musicians – and friends'
The British cellist, cover star of The Strad’s March 2019 issue, discusses learning, improvisation and inspirational teachers in conversation with Pauline Harding
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Sentimental Work: Anne Akiko Meyers on traditional Japanese songs
A brace of traditional songs from Japan bring back fond memories and inspire a wealth of interpretations for the American violinist
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10 tips on maximising tone quality & projection
Advice on projecting your sound from over 120 years of The Strad
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5 tips from Isabelle van Keulen on achieving a relaxed bow hold
The Dutch violinist and violist considers the many processes involved in keeping your bow hold tension-free
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Is it a real Stradivarius? How to check the authenticity and value of a violin
A reader has inherited an old Italian violin, in this case a Landolfi. In fact, finding a violin in a grandparent’s attic is some people’s first introduction to the stringed-instrument world. What’s the next step regarding authentication?
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Masterclass: Daniel Hope on the Franck Violin Sonata
The British violinist takes a look at the second movement of a work filled with Romantic flair, fireworks and colour, and highlights the importance of building a perfect piano-violin partnership
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Jacob Stainer: Micro-CT analysis of top-block and pins
In the April 2019 issue of The Strad, Rudolf Hopfner explains how the neck root and top-block of a Jacob Stainer violin made after 1650 gives insights into his working methods – and solves a mystery about the maker’s training in the process. This video, made up of hundreds ...
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Discovering Ysaÿe’s lost sonata
In 2017 violinist Philippe Graffin discovered a previously unknown three-movement work by Eugène Ysaÿe: his original Sixth Solo Violin Sonata. As his recording of the piece is released, he speaks to Chloe Cutts about completing the composition.
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Learning a violin as an adult: How do you progress beyond practising for exams?
How can an adult amateur, beginning or relearning an instrument, progress beyond practising for exams? Three tutors examine the various options – as well as suggesting ways to combat shyness
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Postcard from Shanghai: Viva la Viola festival
Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s biennial Viva la Viola festival returned for its sixth instalment in November, turning the spotlight on one of the most underrated instruments in China, writes Nancy Pellegrini
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6 tips for giving a child their first violin lesson
Géza Szilvay, co-founder of the Colourstrings method, gives advice for how a teacher should approach the very first violin lesson with a young beginner student
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Arabella Steinbacher's top 5 practice tips
The German violinist shares her personal favourite practice habits
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Sentimental work: Gautier Capuçon on Schumann
The French cellist finds a whole universe of sound in Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro and the op.73 Fantasiestücke – as well as huge scope for experimentation
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In focus: the 'Sachs' Stradivari of c.1666
John Dilworth takes a close look at one of the very earliest violins attributable to Stradivari
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The thief, his wife and the 'Huberman' Strad
The ‘Gibson, Huberman’ Stradivari now owned by Joshua Bell has a history worthy of a blockbuster thriller. Stolen twice in the 20th century, the second time it remained undiscovered for nearly 50 years despite being played in public regularly by its thief. In this article from January 1998, Carla Shapreau ...
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Life Lessons: 3 questions for Hilary Hahn
Adrenalin can be helpful, says the American violinist, but you should never forget the true reasons for performance
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Life Lessons: François Rabbath
The French-Syrian double bassist considers his unique technical journey, the inspiration he drew from crustaceans, and the benefits of playing a waiting game
