All Focus articles – Page 56
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FocusCecilia Zilliacus brings a distinctly Nordic flavour to the Brahms Violin Concerto
In our latest Session Report we join the Swedish violinist in the studio as she records Brahms. Interview by Andrew Mellor
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Focus4 tips on using antiquing methods to give an instrument a warm look
John Simmers shares his wisdom on finding a balance between antiquing and not antiquing
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FocusPostcard from Colorado
At this year’s Aspen Festival and School, an array of leading performers rubbed shoulders with hundreds of enthusiastic young musicians. Bruce Hodges soaked up the clear mountain air
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FocusFour Paul Rolland exercises
Nancy Kredel describes some of the simpler actions devised by pioneering pedagogue Paul Rolland, our November 2018 issue cover star
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FocusIn focus: violin by Vincenzo Postiglione, 1891
Sean Bishop examines a violin by the most prolific and finest Neapolitan makers of the second half of the 19th century. From the January 2008 issue. Photographs by Richard Valencia [click ‘+’ to zoom]
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Focus6 tips for smooth bow changes
Advice on smooth and inaudible bow changes at the tip and the heel from The Strad's archives
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FocusThe 1724 ‘Cecil’ Stradivarius – a masterpiece unseen and unheard
Despite having been examined by some of the best-known experts in history, the violin has spent centuries largely hidden – until now. John Dilworth examines one of the least regarded instruments by the Cremonese master
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FocusIs own-label recording the right choice if you're not already established?
Creating your debut CD is only the first step on the road to success, as the subsequent marketing process can be just as difficult. Peter Somerford gathers some expert advice
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FocusViolinist Jascha Heifetz's first appearance in The Strad, October 1912
The legendary artist was first mentioned in The Strad at the age of eleven following several well-received performances
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FocusPaul Rolland's tension-free philosophy
Pioneering pedagogue Paul Rolland formulated a groundbreaking approach to string teaching through his University of Illinois String Research Project in the late 1960s. Charlotte Smith investigates the legacy of his findings, 40 years after his death
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FocusCommissioning a new instrument – a guide for players
Commissioning an instrument can be an exciting prospect, but as a creative journey it can have its ups and downs. John Milnes considers how both player and maker can keep each other happy.
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Focus8 ways to maximise your sound with minimum effort
Advice on how to increase your sound without any extra effort from The Strad Archive
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FocusLife Lessons: Viktoria Mullova
The Russian violinist on music and engineering, Soviet Bach and the perils of reading reviews
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Focus10 tips for improving your scales
Guidance from The Strad 's archive on tuning, bow control, shifting, direction and pulse
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FocusPostcard from Ludwigslust
The tenth International J.M. Sperger Competition for Double Bass honoured its namesake writes jury member Jeff Bradetich
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Focus10 views on the benefits of slow practice
Debate on how best to harness slow practice from The Strad Archive
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FocusLife Lessons: Irvine Arditti
The founder of the iconic Arditti Quartet reflects on a life devoted to contemporary music
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FocusTokyo Stradivarius Festival: A Celebration of Genius
Ending on Monday 15 October, the Tokyo Stradivarius Festival 2018 has brought together 21 of the finest Stradivari instruments from all over the world, together with some of the master’s tools and templates, an acoustic demonstration, and concerts performed on several of the instruments.
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FocusRachel Podger: 'I played Bach at home in secret'
Bach’s E major Violin Concerto proved to be a defining work on the Baroque violinist’s path towards the period performance movement – despite the peculiar attitudes of her teachers
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FocusIn numbers: the cost of maintaining an instrument during the course of a career
Have you ever thought about how much you will spend in total over the years to keep your instrument in working order? Drew McManus spills the beans, and then counts them
