All Focus articles – Page 9
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FocusLife Lessons: Albena Danailova
One of three Vienna Philharmonic concertmasters, the Bulgarian violinist talks about New York street jazz and the musical impact of the internet
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Augustin Hadelich on the similarities and contrasts of Brahms and Ligeti
Violinist August Hadelich, cover star of The Strad’s April 2019, issue, has built a reputation for musically astute interpretations in wide-ranging repertoire. He speaks to Chloe Cutts about his latest recording - a pairing of Brahms and Ligeti
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The Cello Maker: Robin Aitchison
The Academy of Ancient Music has produced this film exploring the craft of cello maker Robin Aitchison, focusing on his copies of instruments by Stradivari, Montagnana and Guadagnini. The film is the first in a series called Breaking Down Baroque to be released by the Academy of Ancient Music ...
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Technique: Velocity studies with Hans Jørgen Jensen
Some musicians love playing fast. Others struggle with it, both psychologically and physically: they can’t control their tempo, they play too loudly, their fingers collapse and lose their natural curvature, they have unnecessary tension in different parts of the body, they make facial grimaces, or they lift their fingers too ...
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In focus: 1675 violin by Francesco Rugeri
In this article from the December 2014 issue, Fausto Cacciatori takes a close look at a fine example of a rather enigmatic maker with links to Nicolò Amati
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Great Cellists: Paul Tortelier
Tully Potter celebrates the charismatic French artist whose playing shone with vitality, imagination and absolute commitment. From the February 2015 issue
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Pekka Kuusisto on his Greenpeace collaboration
Elegy for the Forest , Pekka Kuusisto’s short film made in collaboration with Greenpeace, aims to build awareness of deforestation. He speaks to Peter Quantrill about combining art and activism
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Stringtelligence by Thomastik-Infeld: dealing with corrosion and perspiration
In the first of a new blog series for The Strad celebrating Thomastik-Infeld’s 100th anniversary, the Austrian string manufacturer’s director of engineering and technology, Franz Klanner, gives his recommendations for players who find their strings corroding too quickly
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Elicia Silverstein's 5 tips for approaching gnarly contemporary works
The American violinist gives an insight into her strategy for getting her head, and fingers, around tough new repertoire
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5 tips from Max Grosch for improving jazz rhythm
The jazz musician shares his wisdom on ways to improve our jazz rhythm and internal sense of pulse
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In focus: c.1690 violin by Willem van der Sijde
Hubert De Launay takes a close look at a violin with full arching, unusually placed f-holes and a slender swan necked scroll
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Should string teachers use fingerboard stickers for beginners?
Three string teachers debate the age-old question: should stickers be used on the fingerboard when teaching a beginner pupil?
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Edgar Meyer on the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite no.2
For the American double bassist and composer, what began as a pathway to technical expertise became a lifetime’s voyage of musical exploration. From the November 2015 issue
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Masterclass: Steven Tenenbom, Schumann Märchenbilder
The American viola soloist, chamber musician, and teacher explores how to find your own sense of character and flow in the first two contrasting pieces
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5 tips for practising effectively from Chloë Hanslip
Tieing in with her new CD of Beethoven sonatas, the violinist shares a few insights
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Life Lessons: Lynn Harrell
The American cellist, who turned 75 earlier this year, looks back at the beginnings of his life as a musician
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Sheku Kanneh-Mason: 'I was always being inspired by amazing musicians – and friends'
The British cellist, cover star of The Strad’s March 2019 issue, discusses learning, improvisation and inspirational teachers in conversation with Pauline Harding
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Sentimental Work: Anne Akiko Meyers on traditional Japanese songs
A brace of traditional songs from Japan bring back fond memories and inspire a wealth of interpretations for the American violinist
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10 tips on maximising tone quality & projection
Advice on projecting your sound from over 120 years of The Strad
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5 tips from Isabelle van Keulen on achieving a relaxed bow hold
The Dutch violinist and violist considers the many processes involved in keeping your bow hold tension-free
