All Focus articles – Page 60
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FocusIn focus: The ‘Carrodus’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’
In this article from the April 2007 issue, John Dilworth takes a close look at a violin made when ‘del Gesù’ was at his most imaginative and creative
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FocusGvido digital music score device
The dual electronic screens of the Gvido digital music score device replicate the appearance of traditional sheet music and allow users to ‘turn’ pages at the touch of a button and annotate parts using a special magnetic pen. Weighing 660g and 6mm thick, it can store some ...
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FocusCoruss synthetic bow hair
According to the manufacturer, Coruss synthetic bow hair matches natural horsehair in blind tests for tone and articulation. Compared with natural alternatives it offers greater durability and resistance to very humid or dry conditions, doesn’t degrade when stored for long periods of time, and uses no animal ...
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FocusHeart and soul: Anima Nova adjustable carbon fibre soundpost
An adjustable, carbon-fibre alternative designed to offer enhanced control to the luthier and superior sound to the player
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FocusMakers reveal their favourite technical solutions to common lutherie problems
Although new items for luthiers are always appearing on the market, violin making involves many tasks for which there is no perfect tool. Here, six makers describe the devices they’ve created for themselves
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FocusLife lessons: Julian Lloyd Webber
The British cellist and now conservatoire principal talks about the challenges facing music education, and his adventures in finding new repertoire
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FocusMaxim Vengerov: Me and my Strads
In conversation with Sota Nakazawa, Russian virtuoso Maxim Vengerov explains his love for Stradivari instruments, and his long relationship with them
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FocusAn introduction to Joseph White and his six etudes
Joseph White, who died 100 years ago this year, was one of very few musicians of African descent to achieve international renown in the 19th century as a composer and performer. Yavet Boyadjiev introduces his Six etudes op.13 as works of considerable pedagogical value
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FocusAsk the experts: choosing, changing and caring for your strings
String makers receive all kinds of questions from players about their products. Chloe Cutts explores their responses to the most common queries
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FocusAnalysing the surprisingly complex geometry of the fingerboard
M.J. Kwan discovers how luthiers prefer to tackle the many questions of curvature and ‘scoop’ involved in creating a violin fingerboard
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FocusIndependence and flexibility in the left-hand thumb
The first in a two-part article on techniques and tricks to loosen your hands and free up your instrument hold by Gwen Thompson-Robinow
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FocusIt’s so important for Prokofiev's concerto not to become just a showpiece for the soloist
Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto provides myriad possibilities for interpretation – and Pekka Kuusisto takes inspiration from dreams, diamonds, the Beach Boys and Romeo and Juliet to find them. From the June 2018 issue
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FocusFrom the archive: Violin by Santo Serafin c.1740
In the January 2013 issue, John Dilworth examined this fine example of the great Venetian craftsman’s work [click + to zoom in]
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FocusTitanium: the perfect material for instrument fittings?
Tough and light, titanium is thought to be the leading material for stringed instrument adjusters and fixtures, but does the metal have acoustic benefits too? Peter Somerford investigates
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FocusLife Lessons: Kyung Wha Chung
Take a leaf out of Brahms’s book, says the South Korean violinist, who also explains why perseverance is so important
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FocusPlaying outside: a worthwhile struggle but a struggle nevertheless
In the face of bugs, bad weather and worse acoustics, Pauline Harding goes on a quest to discover why musicians ever agree to play outside
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FocusFrom the archive: a 1717 Brescian cello by Pietro Giacomo Rogeri
Marked forever by Paganini and nearly lost in the snow by Piatti, this 1717 cello by Pietro Giacomo Rogeri has had a colourful history. Article by John Dilworth from the July 2009 issue
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FocusA blizzard of brilliance: Postcard from Novosibirsk
Now in its fifth year, the Trans-Siberian Art Festival continues to attract both acclaimed artists and exciting new talent to the snowy Russian city of Novosibirsk, from where Tom Stewart reports
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FocusGeared pegs: why isn't everyone using them?
Geared pegs have their advocates and detractors but, as Tom Stewart finds out, the innovation has benefits for a broad range of players, from young students to seasoned professionals
