All Focus articles
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FocusHow useful are Ševčík exercises for violinists, violists and cellists?
From the archive: Violinist Ivry Gitlis, violist Bruno Giuranna and cellist Christopher Bunting share their views on the influential method
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Focus
‘The lyre of Orpheus’ - the life and works of Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen
In our August 2021 issue, Kevin MacDonald investigates the lives and careers of female violinists in Georgian England. Read this extract profiling Italian violinist Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen, who enjoyed success both as a performer and composer
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Focus
Talking heads: 'Bergonzi definitely did not mean to make Stradivaris'
In this extract from the July 2021 issue, Andrea Zanrè examines Carlo Bergonzi’s unique head craftmanship
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Focus
Yehudi Menuhin's marked-up copy of Bach's Solo Violin Sonata no.2
Have a small peek into the workings of Menuhin's interpretation. Taken from The Strad's May 2016 issue.
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Focus
Villa-Lobos and the cello: an early start
In this extract from the July 2021 issue, Felipe Avellar de Aquino writes about Heitor Villa-Lobos’s early leanings towards the cello which sparked his extensive output for the instrument
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Focus
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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Feature
Strength in Diversity: Minorities in US Orchestras
Half a century has passed since the New York Philharmonic hired its first black musician, and yet the percentage of black and Latino players in top US orchestras remains woefully low. Vivien Schweitzer reports on the organisations taking action towards greater inclusivity Taken from the November 2014 issue ...
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Focus
Musical groundbreakers: female luthiers and their experiences in the lutherie industry
In the past few years, women from all walks of life have been reporting incidents of sexist behaviour in their workplaces. Is a violin workshop any different? Femke Colborne discusses the question with a range of female luthiers
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Focus
What can musicians learn from working with dancers?
Pauline Harding attends workshops, talks to early music specialists and pioneering modern players, and discovers a whole new approach to interpreting classical music
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Focus
‘Is $16 million for a violin too much to pay? Not these days’
In this excerpt from his new book Big Notes: How A Stradivarius Makes Money and Music, author and conductor John Axelrod considers why old Italian instruments can command such high prices
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Focus
Life Lessons: François Rabbath
The French-Syrian double bassist, who turns 90 today, considers his unique technical journey, the inspiration he drew from crustaceans, and the benefits of playing a waiting game
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Focus
The Art of Leadership: Steven Staryk
The well-travelled concertmaster discusses his time leading British, Dutch, US and Canadian orchestras as he talks to Julian Haylock
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Feature
Leadership and diplomacy: how to be a good orchestral concertmaster
A piece from our archive in which former concertmaster John Georgiadis, who died on Tuesday, tells Julian Haylock his memories of the London Symphony Orchestra
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News
Violinist Ivry Gitlis talks to The Strad
In the August 2012 issue, the veteran virtuoso gave a wide-ranging interview to Ariane Todes, on topics from teaching and managers to emotion, conflict and playing with his friend Jascha Heifetz
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Focus
Four alternative methods to make sure your practice efforts survive the pressures of performance
A violist with a background in neuroscience, Molly Gebrian shares some alternative practice methods informed by studies on how our brain processes learning
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Article
Nine steps to mastering violin vibrato
Dr Rebecca McLeod, associate professor of music education at the University of North Carolina, gives a guide to achieving a good vibrato - from establishing a relaxed position to mastering a smooth, even motion
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Focus
7 tips on adjustments to get the best out of your instrument
The finest Stradivari in the world will sound poor if it is badly set up. Here are some points to consider sourced from our archive
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Focus
7 ways to harness mental practice for musicians
Tips for using mental imaging to boost your musical practice regime from The Strad’s archive
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Feature
How are string soloists coping with the coronavirus lock down?
As social distancing causes unprecedented disruption to concert schedules around the world, several soloists share their coping strategies and plans for the future.
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Focus
8 pieces of advice for happy string quartets
Words of instruction and inspiration on quartet playing from the pages of The Strad
