All Issue articles
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Premium ❘ ArticleOctober 2020: Welcome
The Strad’s editor Charlotte Smith introduces the October 2020 issue
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Premium ❘ Feature
Midori: Active Listener
From getting to the core of new works to appreciating her students’ motivations, Midori is on a constant search for understanding. Toby Deller finds out how the Japanese-American violinist communicates this passion to those around her
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Premium ❘ Feature
Ensemble Diderot: Hidden Gems
This month Ensemble Diderot releases The Berlin Album, the latest in its ‘cities’ recording series, juxtaposing works by established 17th- and 18th-century composers alongside those of lesser-known contemporaries. Ensemble founder and violinist Johannes Pramsohler speaks to Pwyll ap Siôn about why these works deserve greater attention
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Premium ❘ Feature
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables: Lutherie and Covid-19
Violin makers worldwide were hit hard by the Covid-19 outbreak as the customers dried up – nowhere more so than in Italy. Peter Somerford speaks to makers in Cremona, Florence and Modena to find out how the industry is gradually getting back on its feet
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Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Early Inspirations
Violinist Tessa Lark’s new collaborative album, The Stradgrass Sessions, brings together the musical influences of her childhood, fusing bluegrass, folk, jazz and classical styles. The project might easily have been delayed by Covid-19, but her musical partners were only too happy to record remotely
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Premium ❘ Feature
Not Quite Cinderella: The Viola in Late-Georgian Britain
Britain during the late Georgian era was fertile ground for the viola as a serious chamber and solo instrument – and witnessed a flourishing in standards of playing and making, writes Kevin MacDonald
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Premium ❘ Feature
Sitting Pretty: Chairs for Musicians
Musicians take great time and care to find the best instrument accessories, but rarely give the same consideration to the ideal chair. Anyone who cares about their posture, comfort and health would do well to pay more attention, writes Harry White
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Review
Festival review: Hitzacker Summer Music Days
In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hitzacker Summer Music Days festival (1–9 August), took place as planned. Carlos María Solare reports
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Review
Concert review: Anne Søe (violin) Malin William-Olsson (violin) Mina Fred (viola) Tobias Van Der Pals (cello)
Andrew Mellor reviews one of the first concerts to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, since the lockdown
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Review
Book review: Diabolus in Musica: A Story of Niccolo Paganini
Julian Haylock reviews an unproduced screenplay of the 19th-century violinist’s life, now published in book form
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Review
Book review: Violin Star Theory
Celia Cobb reviews the latest from Kathy and David Blackwell, published by the UK’s ABRSM examining board
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Review
Book review: A Festival of Violin and Fiddle Styles: For Violin
Anne Inglis reviews a compilation of folk fiddling methods by the prolific Julie Lyonn Lieberman
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Review
Ébène Quartet: Beethoven Around the World
Exploring the Ébène Quartet’s recordings of Beethoven’s complete oeuvre, Julian Haylock finds himself in a marvellous sonic landscape of intensity and variety
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Review
La Serenissima/Adrian Chandler: Extra Time
La Serenissima scores with time to spare in an album of previously unheard bonus tracks
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Review
Patricia Kopatchinskaja: What’s Next, Vivaldi?
Violinist’s maverick and highly original approach to Vivaldi strikes gold
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Review
Alban Gerhardt: Shostakovich
A refreshingly individual approach from this most thoughtful of cellists
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Review
Jonah Kim: Rachmaninoff, Barber
Apt composer pairing for a Curtis-formed duo makes a satisfying listen
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Review
Eckart Runge: Transitions
Exemplary playing distinguishes concertos from two Soviet mavericks
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Review
Harriet Mackenzie, Richard Harwood: Gunning
A fresh chance to hear the British composer’s pastoral-themed concertos
