All Focus articles – Page 26
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‘A moment of audience feedback I’ll treasure forever’ - recalling musical memories with dementia
London Sinfonietta cellist Adrian Bradbury writes about the joy of witnessing a dementia patient recall melodies from her past while working on a new chamber opera ’Tomorrow’s Wonder… A Window into Our Lives’
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From Tulips to Sneez-wort: the works of James Oswald
The Baroque-era composer created many melodies infused with the Scottish folk characteristics of his upbringing
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The Strad Podcast Episode #18: Rakhi Singh on creativity
’Putting myself in a space where I had no expectations of myself… it was liberating, it freed me up to use my ears and my heart more’
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The Strad Calendar 2022: Pietro Guarneri of Venice violin 1725
Known as the ‘Reine Elisabeth’, this is the most expensive instrument bought by the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation
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Happy Birthday to Niccolò Paganini!
The great violinist was born on this day in 1782. Happy 239th birthday!
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Memories of cellist John Gwilt
Students and colleagues of Gwilt share their memories of the celebrated cellist, who died last month aged 91, in this compilation from his wife Dawn
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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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Back to business: Postcard from Sun Valley
Following 2020’s Summer Season of broadcasts, this year’s Sun Valley Music Festival returned to free live performances, much to the delight of its thousands of fans, writes Laurence Vittes
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An obituary for cellist John Gwilt
The distinguished cellist died last month aged 91. Dawn Gwilt shares the life story of her late husband, former co-director of the International Cello Centre with Jane Cowan and teacher of Steven Isserlis
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Photo gallery: Chad Hoopes’s violin
Check out photos of Sam Zygmuntowicz’s copy of the 1740 ‘Ysaÿe’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin, played by our November 2021 cover star
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Masterclass: Beethoven Spring Sonata
James Ehnes gives his thoughts on the composer’s celebrated F major Sonata, disputing some accepted conventions and providing annotations for the first and second movements. From March 2016
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Masterclass: Jan Vogler on Beethoven Cello Sonata op.69
Cellist Jan Vogler explores the first movement of the first-ever sonata to give equal weight to both piano and cello
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The Strad Podcast Episode #17: Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider on competitions
The violinist and president of the Carl Nielsen International Competition speaks about making competitions a more inclusive environment, as well as tips for future contestants
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The Strad Calendar 2022: Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ cello 1715 ‘ex Navarra’
The Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ must be the most impressive Cremonese cello in terms of maker’s marks
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Chad Hoopes: ‘I want to pass along the knowledge and the influences that I have had’
The US-violinist shares his approaches to teaching the next generation of musicians in his new role as professor of practice in violin at the Meadows School of the Arts
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Heifetz Cadenzas: Beethoven Violin Concerto
Bruce Dukov presents previously unpublished cadenzas for the Beethoven Violin Concerto. From November 1990
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Sentimental Work: Salvatore Accardo on the Beethoven Violin Concerto
The Italian violinist recalls how the great soloists of the 20th century had similar feelings about the Beethoven Violin Concerto – and why it left them terrified
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Beethoven from a string player’s perspective
Top string players share their thoughts on Beethoven’s string repertoire. Spoiler: it’s not always smooth sailing
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A letter from Smiley
Film maker Christopher Nupen shares his treasured handwritten letter from cellist Jacqueline du Pré
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Seeing red: Stradivari’s special instrument varnish
In this extract from September 2018, Joe Robson examines the history and prestige surrounding the colour red and how it began to feature in Stradivari’s instrument varnish