All Focus articles – Page 27
-
Focus
The Strad Podcast Episode #16: Ayanna Witter-Johnson on playing and singing
Cellist and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson speaks about her unique combination of performance styles
-
Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume viola 1867
This viola is regarded as an exceptionally pure and unique specimen among Vuillaume’s work
-
Focus
Off-stage with Jacqueline du Pré
Five off-stage memories from friends and family of the acclaimed cellist Jacqueline du Pré
-
Focus
The components of violin varnish
In this extract from November 2007, Joe Robson explores the history and methods of making violin varnish
-
Focus
Opinion: Across the decades
Karen Gomyo revisits recordings by ‘golden age’ violinists, and explores why these performances are still so meaningful today
-
Focus
’We couldn’t play for ten minutes without an interruption!’
Our October 2021 Session Report features an up-close look at violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Sol Gabetta’s recording sessions for their album ‘Sol & Pat’, out today on Alpha Classics. Here, they share some of the challenges faced during the process
-
Focus
The Strad Podcast Episode #15: Jack Liebeck on Ysaÿe Sonatas
‘It feels incredible to play this music… it fits the violinist’s hand like a glove’
-
Focus
Ludwig Quandt: Life Lessons
Advice and memories from before and during the German musician’s decades-long tenure as the Berlin Philharmonic’s principal cellist
-
Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Santo Serafin violin 1750
Santo Serafin’s refined style can be particularly seen on the scroll
-
Focus
Jacqueline du Pré’s pedagogical background
The legendary cellist counted William Pleeth, Pablo Casals, Paul Tortelier and Mstislav Rostropovich as her teachers, illustrated by Julian Haylock in the June 2016 issue
-
Focus
Trills and embellishments: exercises from Wilhelmj and Brown’s A Modern School for Violin
Violist Misha Galaganov recommends exercises from August Wilhelmj and James Brown’s out-of-print A Modern School for Violin, to accompany his Technique article in the October 2021 issue
-
Focus
Pinchas Zukerman and Zubin Mehta remember Jacqueline du Pré
The violist and double bassist of Christopher Nupen’s iconic film ‘The Trout’ reminisce about playing chamber music with du Pré
-
Focus
‘Nature is in charge here’ - A festival among the moors
Violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen shares how the wild nature of Dartmoor and Exmoor has inspired the Two Moors Festival
-
Focus
Returning to playing after a break: top string teachers share their tips
For those who have picked up their instruments after a hiatus and thought, ‘What on earth is this?!’ - five string teachers from around the UK share exercises for both hands, posture, listening and performance
-
Focus
Discovering the composition of historical varnishes
In this extract from the October 2021 issue, Balthazar Soulier, Stefan Zumbühl and Christophe Zindel introduce their study of minerals historical varnishes
-
Focus
Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Fazil Say perform Bartok: Three Romanian Folk Dances
Check out this recent performance that will make you wish you could play artificial harmonics with such dexterity
-
Focus
3 simple trill exercises for players and teachers
Professor of viola and chair of strings at Texas Christian University Misha Galaganov offers technical advice on how to play and teach trills
-
Focus
The Strad Podcast Episode #14: Nicolas Altstaedt on the Lutosławski Cello Concerto
’I always tell my agents ”put Lutosławski on the top of the list”, it’s really maybe my number one favourite of all concertos!’
-
Focus
Anne-Sophie Mutter on fine and contemporary instruments
The Strad’s April 2020 issue cover star discusses performing on her own Strads and on newer violins
-
Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Hendrik Jacobs cello 1696
One of the very few cellos made by Hendrik Jacobs himself, and the only Dutch instrument in the Calendar