All Performance articles
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #113: Uncovering Ysaÿe’s lost works with violinist Philippe Graffin
The violinist speaks about his efforts to bring Ysaÿe’s Poème concertant into the limelight
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #111: juggling orchestral and solo playing with double bassist Michael Rieber
How do you find the time to release a solo album while holding a principal position in one of Europe’s top orchestras? The double bassist shares his strategies for effective practice and preparation
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #110: Stravinsky’s kaleidoscope of colours with violinist Alena Baeva
Alena Baeva delves into the intricacies of Stravinsky’s Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss, which features on her latest recording
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #109: the importance of a positive mindset with cellist Maja Bogdanović
How do you avoid burnout and stress when you have a busy performing and family life? Maja shares her strategies
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #108: In search of authenticity: exploring Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.2 with Daniel Kurganov
Alongside his February issue Masterclass on the sonata, the violinist shares his historical performance approach to recording the work, as well as his quest for authenticity
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #107: back to basics with cellist Gabriel Schwabe
Defining one’s practice with intention is crucial to unlocking playing potential without dwelling on too much complexity, says the cellist
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #101: inside the Zemtsov viola dynasty with Dana and Mikhail Zemtsov
What’s it like being in a family where everyone plays the viola? The father and daughter duo share all
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #100: Cheng² Duo on new works for cello and piano
Our 100th episode features a chat about celebrating cultural heritage, sibling collaboration, as well as how to emulate the sound of a horse on a cello
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #98: finding new double bass repertoire with Valentina Ciardelli
Transcriptions of existing repertoire should celebrate the double bass in all its glory, rather than present a poor imitation of other instruments, says the double bassist
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
The violinist shares his personal experience and thoughts on the work
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #93: creative storytelling with cellist Alexander Hersh
The star of ‘Absinthe’ shares how narrative and multiple access points can benefit classical music in reaching new audiences
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #92: remembering violinist Geoff Nuttall of the St. Lawrence String Quartet
The ensemble’s founding violist Lesley Robertson shares her memories of the violinist
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #91: ‘The Music Critic’ with violinist Aleksey Igudesman
‘The most horrible reviews of the most beautiful music ever written’
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #90: on the road with the Aizuri Quartet
With a busy touring season, how do the players cope with learning lots of repertoire, rehearsing with limited time and being away from home? Violinist Emma Frucht shares the group’s strategies
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #87: Yoga and string playing with violinist Melissa White
‘Our bodies are our best teachers’
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #85: the Dudok Quartet on ‘What Remains’ and eclecticism
Violinist Marleen Wester and cellist David Faber speak about drawing influences from a range of sources on the quartet’s new album
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #84: double bassist Luis Cabrera on performing Bach Cello Suites
The double bassist speaks about his historically informed video recording of the first suite