All Focus articles – Page 31
-
FocusSheet music: Abram Yampolsky's fiendishly difficult E major study
Could Yampolsky's variation on Kreutzer's Etude-Caprice be the best work ever for practising arpeggios? Rok Klopčič thinks so
-
Premium ❘ FeatureHis master's pupil: how Erick Friedman struggled in the shadow of Jascha Heifetz
Erick Friedman, Heifetz's first student and a virtuoso in his own right, was frustrated by continual comparisons to his teacher. Dennis Rooney looks back at his life
-
FocusFrom the Archive: a cello by Edmund Aireton, London c.1790
This illustration of a cello by Edmund Aireton was published in The Strad, January 1978. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:Edmund Aireton was born in 1727 and died in 1807. He worked for Peter Walmsley who had his workshop at 'Ye Golden Harp', Piccadilly, London ...
-
FocusPostcard from the Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition
It wasn’t just the first prize that was split at the Nielsen Competition in Odense on Friday, writes Andrew Mellor, it was also the jury – but isn’t that the point?
-
FocusFrom the Archive: a cello by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1724, 'Hausmann'
This illustration of a cello by Antonio Stradivari was published in The Strad, July 1977. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:The early history of the 'Hausmann' Stradivari is uncertain, but Hill believes that it came from Spain. It is thought that it then found its ...
-
FocusPostcard from the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition
For the first time in its 36-year history, a UK player took the first prize at the Isle of Man competition. Tully Potter reports on the week-long event
-
FocusFrom the Archive: a violin by Jacob Stainer, Absam, c.1660
This illustration of a violin by Jacob Stainer was published in The Strad, May 1975. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:Jacob Stainer, the most celebrated of all the German school of makers, was born at Hall, near Absam, Austria in 1621. His distinctive model was ...
-
FocusPatrons should buy modern instruments for young musicians, says violin maker Stefan-Peter Greiner
In conversation with Pauline Harding, the German luthier discusses his ideas on sound adjustment, 'Stradivari frequencies' and creating the ideal working environment
-
FocusBach should only be played as an encore in special circumstances, says violinist Arabella Steinbacher
The Strad asks six international solo violinists what the encore tradition means to them, and to reveal their personal favourites
-
FocusEast vs West: differences in string teaching approaches
Having spent his formative years in the US, cellist Dong-Oo Lee speaks of the distinct teaching style he discovered on his return to Korea
-
FocusAsk the Experts: buying your first instrument at auction
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts
-
Premium ❘ FocusCellist Timothy Eddy on the teaching styles of Bernard Greenhouse and Pablo Casals
The Orion String Quartet founder learnt the importance of the link between language and music from the two legendary cellists
-
FocusHow t'ai chi can help cellists
Ross Harbaugh talks through some exercises designed to develop balance and technique
-
FocusCellist Mischa Maisky on studying with Piatigorsky and Rostropovich
Both great musicians taught Maisky that the cello is merely a means to an end
-
FocusViolist Tabea Zimmermann on technique, teaching and competitions
The German violist talks to Carlos María Solare about her teaching philosophies and the role of competitions in the development of young musicians
-
FocusToday's string players forget they are telling a story, says cellist Raphael Wallfisch
Pauline Harding investigates why singers and instrumentalists can benefit hugely from listening to and working with each other
-
FocusThe violin making principles of Nicolas Lupot
Born into a turbulent period of history, the 18th-19th century maker was among the first French luthiers to appreciate Stradivari's radical ideas
-
FocusElements of Alexander Technique: discovering a natural approach to string playing
Dr Tomas Cotik gives an introduction to the method and demonstrates techniques and exercises
-
Focus‘As a musician you never finish learning,’ says cellist Gautier Capuçon
The Strad’s February 2016 cover star speaks about studying with Philippe Muller and Heinrich Schiff, and about his own cello classes for post-college students
-
FocusThe great conductors value music above personal image, says violinist Rodney Friend
The former concertmaster of the London Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony shares his experiences with conductors - great and not so great
