All Focus articles – Page 11
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FocusLife Lessons: 3 questions for Hilary Hahn
Adrenalin can be helpful, says the American violinist, but you should never forget the true reasons for performance
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FocusBruno Philippe on the attraction of gut strings
This month, young French cellist Bruno Philippe releases his first album as an official Harmonia Mundi artist. In this extract from our February cover story, he chats with Charlotte Gardner about the merits of gut strings
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FocusDiscovering Bartók, Ligeti and Kurtág in 3 seminal works
Casals Quartet violist Jonathan Brown chooses three key chamber pieces by the giants of Hungarian music
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FocusWhat repertoire should you play for your first recording?
Choosing the repertoire for your first album isn’t easy. Charlotte Gardner talks to those in the recording business about how to make an informed decision.
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FocusCharlie Siem's top 5 practice tips
Ahead of his performance at Cadogan Hall, the violinist shares his knowledge
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Focus10 tips for a successful conservatoire audition
Mark Messenger, head of strings at the Royal College of Music, reveals what conservatoire audition panels are looking for
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FocusPostcard from Munich: the 2018 ARD International Music Competition
The viola and piano trio category winners of the Munich event demonstrated an exceptional level of maturity and insight, writes Chloe Cutts
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FocusBaiba Skride's top 5 practice tips
The Latvian violinist, whose American Concertos CD is reviewed in our January issue, shares her wisdom
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BlogsHow do you start a symphony orchestra in India?
Kazakh violinist Marat Bisengaliev, the Symphony Orchestra of India’s co-founder and music director, describes how Bollywood strings adapted to classical music
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FocusThomas Albertus Irnberger: 5 reasons to play Martinů
To tie in with our review of his Martinů CD, the violinist explains why he loves the Czech composer’s music
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FocusThe 'Four Circles' system of violin making
Luthier Kevin Kelly explains his ‘Four Circles’ system for instrument design, adaptable to violins, violas and cellos
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FocusFrom the archive: Technique or tone?
This article from The Strad, September 1954, argues that the trend among students of pursuing mechanical brilliance at the expense of beauty of tone is misguided
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FocusLloyd Swanton on the art of free improvisation
As double bassist of Australian trio the Necks, Lloyd Swanton is an expert in group improvisation. He speaks to Andy Hamilton about maintaining creativity, and making contemporary improvised music accessible
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Focus6 recording tips from Daniel Müller-Schott
The German cellist reveals some of the practical and artistic conditions he got right for his new album of Russian repertoire
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FocusThe Jubilee Quartet’s 4 top tips on practising as an ensemble
Ahead of their upcoming debut album release, the members of the Jubilee Quartet let us in on their working methods
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FocusLife Lessons: Anne-Sophie Mutter
The German violinist talks about the women who shaped her playing and the challenges for classical musicians posed by social media
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Focus5 views on chamber playing by Borodin Quartet legend Rostislav Dubinsky
The Borodin's founding first violinist, who played with the quartet for 30 years from 1945, was interviewed in The Strad shortly before his death in 1997
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FocusSentimental work: Rick Stotijn on Joseph Marx’s Adagio
The Adagio by the little-known Austrian composer Joseph Marx provides a unique inspiration for the Dutch double bassist – and an opportunity to perform alongside his sister Christianne
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Focus8 practice tips from Sheku Kanneh-Mason
The British cellist shares his wisdom on practising effectively
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Focus4 reasons why I love Vaughan Williams
The violist Philip Dukes explains his affinity for the British composer’s music