All Focus articles – Page 67
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FocusAdvances in string manufacture: the latest developments
There are hundreds of strings available on the market already, and new releases seem never ending. But just why are these developments happening, how necessary are they, and how are musicians involved in that process? Pauline Harding asks string manufacturers and testers worldwide
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FocusContact points: controlling your sound through the position of your bow on the string
New England Conservatory and Juilliard School cello faculty member Natasha Brofsky introduces a set of exercises for exploring the tone, colour and expressive potential of a well-controlled bow, plus three videos showing the techniques in action
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FocusProtection and portability: five of our favourite violin cases reviewed
The number of instrument cases available can make finding your perfect partner a daunting process. Charlotte Smith takes five cases by leading manufacturers BAM, For-Tune, Gewa, Musafia and Negri on the road to test security, mobility and the range of features available
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FocusFrom the archive: Edward Stollar at 80, from the July 1990 issue of The Strad
The head of the Phillips auction house music department in London for decades, Stollar was one of the violin trade’s most respected figures. The following is an extract from an article in the July 1990 issue of the strad by Robert Lewin
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FocusHardwood alternatives from natural options to advances in synthetics
Following CITES’ restrictions on the trade of rosewoods at the beginning of this year, there are those in the musical instrument industry who fear that ebony may be next. Peter Somerford looks at the alternatives to ebony and other exotic hardwoods being developed by a handful of intrepid manufacturers
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FocusThe Brazilian lutherie tradition, forged by the contribution of Italian migrants
Largely neglected until now, the violin making tradition of Brazil is closely tied to the history of Italian immigration to the country. In this extract from the article by Marcos Schmitz and Ivan Guimarães in the November 2017 issue of Strad, Guido Pascoli is the focus
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FocusAdvice I'd give my younger self: Nadia Sirota
Collaboration and idiosyncrasy are focuses for the American violist who advises musicians to ebrace what makes their sound unique
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FocusIn focus: the 1734 'Willemotte' Stradivarius violin
Florian Leonhard of London and New York dealership Florian Leonhard Fine Violins discusses the instrument now played by Leonidas Kavakos
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FocusSticky stuff: how rosin is made and how to choose the right one for your needs
As string players we all use rosin, but how many of us understand its properties well enough to choose the type that’s right for us? Laurinel Owen investigates
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FocusFrom the archive: Ruggiero Ricci's Curtin & Alf 1985 replica of the 'Huberman' Guarnerius
A very fine copy of a famous instrument which went on to achieve a healthy measure of celebrity on its own merits
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FocusArabella Steinbacher on Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto
For the German violinist, Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto opened the doors to 20th-century repertoire – and with it, whole new sound worlds
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Focus100 years ago today: Heifetz's US debut at Carnegie Hall
The Carnegie Hall recital sealed the 16-year-old’s reputation as an astonishing and unruffled performer, set a new bar for violin playing and led to a season full of engagements and a recording contract, as Dario Sarlo reveals
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FocusIs there such a thing as a distinctly American orchestral string sound?
During the 20th century, American orchestras earned a reputation for their technical brilliance and forthright tone, but could such a cultural melting pot ever produce a national way of playing? Charlotte Smith asks musicians and conductors whether the US string sounds of the past endure today
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FocusFrank Huang's road to the New York Philharmonic
This season marks two years since Frank Huang became concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. But, as Ken Smith discovers, the Chinese-born musician might have quit the violin as a teenager had it not been for the influence of Donald Weilerstein, who taught him to think beyond the technical proficiency ...
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FocusFrom the archive: a cello by Johann Öhberg, Stockholm 1770
These photos were published alongside an article on violin making in 18th-century Sweden in the June 1989 issue of The Strad. In the extract below, violin maker Roland Wiklund discusses Johann Öhberg
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FocusString trio repertoire from Haydn to the present day
To accompany The Strad’s October 2017 issue cover feature on the Trio Zimmermann, Geraint Lewis looks at the available repertoire for this Cinderella of string genres
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FocusHow to start approaching the dense scores of New Complexity composers
In the first of a two-part guide, Pwyll ap Siôn looks at the challenges presented in performing works by composers associated with the New Complexity movement – and offers tips on how to approach the extended techniques and rhythmic difficulties involved
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FocusFrom the archive: A violin by Jacob Stainer, 1679
In this article from the April 1990 issue of The Strad, Roger Hargrave examines the construction and workmanship of this violin, which still retains its original undisturbed baroque neck
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FocusMaking Matters: a luthier's photographic studio
Now that having high-quality images of instruments is essential for many luthiers, a practical solution is to create your own photographic studio. In this extract from the October issue of The Strad, Ian McWilliams describes how he went about creating light boxes for lighting isntruments
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FocusWhat I’d tell my younger self – Joel Krosnick
Two years after his 42-season career with the Juilliard Quartet came to an end, the American cellist reflects on lessons learned
