All Focus articles – Page 27
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FocusThe final five bars of the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite in D minor
Mats Lidström, the Leo Stern Professor of Cello at London’s Royal Academy of Music, examines the curious and sudden omission of rhythm and flow in the final five bars of Bach’s Prelude in D minor for solo cello, in this extract from the January 2022 issue
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FocusOpinion: To speak plainly
Teaching a young student with Down’s syndrome has taught Jacqueline Vanasse the value of simple concepts and hands-on rewards
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FocusHappy birthday, Janine Jansen!
7 January is the birthday of the acclaimed Dutch violinist, who featured as The Strad’s October 2021 cover star
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #27: Kian Soltani on Shostakovich Cello Concerto no.1
’You’ve got to be in shape to play this piece. You have to have the courage to not give everything right away’
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FocusPlaying with a relaxed fourth finger by violinist Ros Stephen
Ros Stephen, author of the Oxford University Press Globetrotters series and Violinworks method books, gives exercises and advice to help string players reach fourth finger notes without straining
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Focus‘Great playing starts at the feet’
Alexander Technique specialist Alun Thomas uses a case study to illustrate how performance success stems from a grounding awareness of one’s feet
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Focus5 Ways Isolation Causes Bow Arm Fatigue
Taubman Approach specialists Edna Golandsky and Sophie Till examine how proper alignment in the right arm can help eliminate tension and allow for fluidity when bowing
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #26: Alun Thomas on Alexander Technique
’We need to find a way of getting out of our own way, to stop the things that we don’t need’
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Focus‘People hadn’t heard live music for so long, and were so happy and grateful for the experience’ - Steven Isserlis on performing Bach
The January 2022 cover star speaks to Charlotte Smith about studying the Bach Cello Suites in the form of his new companion book, as well as performing during the pandemic
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FocusAmit Peled: Life Lessons
The Israeli–American cellist talks about body awareness and the importance of taking the initiative
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FocusMy audition journey: Alexandra Gorski, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
The Ukrainian-US violinist tells her story of landing the associate concertmaster role with the Sofia Philharmonic, including the additional solo challenges involved in auditioning for a titled position
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #25: Leia Zhu on performance and outreach
’It’s very exciting to be able to bring the live experience to the community. Hopefully they have a great time and fall in love with classical music!’
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FocusFrom the Archive: December 1951
In his lifetime, Tossy Spivakovsky (1906–98) was known for his innovative bowing style. Samuel Applebaum visits him at home to learn his secrets
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FocusOpinion: Playing the game
In addition to technical mastery, musicians need to understand the ‘game rules’ of every performing tradition and musical culture, write Dudok Quartet Amsterdam musicians Judith van Driel and David Faber
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FocusMasterclass: Jennifer Koh on ‘Méditation’ from Souvenir d’un lieu cher
The violinist offers practical tips on the first piece of Tchaikovsky’s set of three short works, including audio and sheet music
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FocusThe double basses of Domenico Busan
Busan was an assistant to Matteo Gofriller, the first maker of what is unambiguously a double bass. Here, Thomas Martin, George Martin and Martin Lawrence compare the styles of the two makers
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #24: Caroline Pether on the joy of playing in chamber orchestras
‘The clue is in the name, really - it’s big chamber music’
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FocusA Violinist’s Practical Guide to Maintenance, Adjustment, Strings and more
In an exclusive video premiere, violinist Daniel Kurganov and violin maker Andrew Ryan discuss tips and tricks on instrument care, maintenance, acoustical understanding, tonal adjustment, proper string care, with the aim to share a practical understanding of how the violin works, and important practices every violinist should know
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2022: Antonio Stradivari violin c.1716 ‘Paul Godwin’
One notable feature of the Stradivari is the angled grain when looking at the side of the scroll
