April 2024

April 2024 Cover

April 2024 Magazine

April 2024 Cover

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Cover features

The life and legacy of cellist Boris Pergamenschikow

Russian cellist Boris Pergamenschikow enjoyed an influential career both teaching and playing in Europe after leaving the Soviet Union, before his untimely death twenty years ago. Oskar Falta examines his legacy and hears from some of his former students

Session Report: the Carducci Quartet on recording Shostakovich

As the Carducci Quartet releases its third Shostakovich disc, Tom Stewart hears from the group’s violist and cellist about the extreme contrasts between the two featured pieces – the ninth and fifteenth string quartets

Bow maker Richard Otto Gläsel: Parisian splendour

Having perfected his skills in the French capital, German bow maker Richard Otto Gläsel was much inspired by the work of his Gallic forebears, from Voirin to Vigneron. Gennady Filimonov tells his story and examines several of his finest works

Cello bridge design: X marks the spot

For many years the design of the cello bridge has remained constant – but could it be improved? Sebastian Gonzalez presents the results of a comparison between the standard French bridge and a newly designed model, while Gaian Amorim tracks the development of the bridge

Violinist Joshua Bell: ‘Everybody’s playing like their life depends upon it’

Violinist Joshua Bell chats with Pauline Harding about transcending the pyrotechnics of Paganini, the inspiring ethos of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and celebrations to mark the centenary of the orchestra’s founder, Neville Marriner

'Your own voice must be in charge': Creating an improvised violin concerto

Can a new work encourage young, classically trained string players to lose their fear of improvisation and find their individual voice? Violinist Christina Åstrand and composer Signe Lykke explain the concept to Andrew Mellor

Cover story

20231012AcademyofStMartinintheFields-94

Violinist Joshua Bell: ‘Everybody’s playing like their life depends upon it’

Violinist Joshua Bell chats with Pauline Harding about transcending the pyrotechnics of Paganini, the inspiring ethos of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and celebrations to mark the centenary of the orchestra’s founder, Neville Marriner

Playing

Tilde Døssing Tornbjerg2

'Your own voice must be in charge': Creating an improvised violin concerto

Can a new work encourage young, classically trained string players to lose their fear of improvisation and find their individual voice? Violinist Christina Åstrand and composer Signe Lykke explain the concept to Andrew Mellor

Lutherie

Untitled design (5)

Cello bridge design: X marks the spot

For many years the design of the cello bridge has remained constant – but could it be improved? Sebastian Gonzalez presents the results of a comparison between the standard French bridge and a newly designed model, while Gaian Amorim tracks the development of the bridge

Contents

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