All Playing articles
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FocusPaganini’s 24 Caprices: achieving a musically informed performance
Violinist and The Strad’s editorial assistant Rita Fernandes on the importance of reconciling technique and musicality when learning Paganini’s 24 Caprices for Solo Violin
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Focus
'A shocking surprise': uncovering Bach’s Partita for Solo Violin no.2 in D minor BWV1004
Following analysis of Bach’s Partita no.1 in B minor BWV1002, Lewis Kaplan introduces the mighty Partita no.2 in D minor BWV1004 in this extract from the August 2021 issue
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Focus
Opinion: Relaxed body, focused mind
The art of Chinese calligraphy has much to teach us about playing a stringed instrument, writes violist Hsin-Yun Huang
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News
Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died
The musician, conductor and composer was 71 years old
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Focus
A blessing in disguise: recording Piazzolla’s works during a pandemic
In this extract from the August issue Session Report, violinist Karen Gomyo shares the challenges imposed by Covid-19 that resulted in unprecedented upsides while recording her new album of works by Piazzolla
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Blogs
Popper studies: celebrating the small victories
The enjoyability and longevity of Popper studies lie in the small gains that gradually accumulate to a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, writes cellist and online editor Davina Shum
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Focus
Leon Bosch: Life Lessons
The acclaimed solo and chamber bassist stresses the importance of self-reliance and self-discipline in building a meaningful career and life
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Focus
The ‘Ševčík Colony’: the global spread of a master pedagogue
In this extract from the December 2009 issue, Endre Granat outlines the international movements of violin professor Otakar Ševčík in the early 20th-century
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Focus
Esther Yoo: ‘I try to share my journey so that people are aware of the challenges, not just the fancy end product’
Our August issue cover star Esther Yoo illustrates how she uses social media to share her musical knowledge and dispel the mystique of an international concert career
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Focus
Left-hand agility in Dont Etude op.35 no.8
In this extract from the May 1999 issue, violinist Zakhar Bron shares tips on hand shape and intonation when playing thirds in Dont Etude op.35 no.8
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Premium ❘ Feature
Playing Concertos the Ševčík Way
His method books transformed violin pedagogy, but Otakar Ševčík’s later studies based around the concerto repertoire languished until rediscovered by Endre Granat. In this article from December 2009, Granat argues that Ševčík’s analytical approach can be applied to any work
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Focus
Avoiding the ‘neutral zone’- what to do with your bow when playing violin trills
Violinist Zakhar Bron discusses creating a smooth line when playing trills in the op.36 no.6 etude by Dont
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Premium ❘ Feature
Yampolsky study: Wrist-crippling finger-twister
Rok Klopčič gives tips on getting your hands around the fiendish Yampolsky study in this article from June 2009
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Premium ❘ Feature
Violin Masterclass: Co-ordination and Trilling in Dont's Etude op.35 no.6
In the first of two articles, violin teacher Zakhar Bron provides tips for practising the op.35 no.6 etude by Dont
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Premium ❘ Feature
Violin Masterclass: Playing Thirds in Dont’s Etude op.35 no.8
Violin teacher Zakhar Bron provides tips for practising the op.35 no.8 Etude by Dont
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Article
Sentimental Work: Viktoria Mullova
The Sibelius Violin Concerto played a pivotal part in the Soviet-born violinist’s life – even though it was unknown to her until the age of 18
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Focus
When Kyung Wha Chung met Bach’s Solo Violin Sonatas and Partitas
Our August 2021 issue features Juilliard professor Lewis Kaplan examining Bach’s Solo Partitas. Read an extract from our October 2016 Session Report issue featuring violinist Kyung Wha Chung
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Focus
Four insights on the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite no.1 in G major
Have a read of what two cellists and two violists think about ‘that famous cello song’
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Focus
A blank slate: recording Bach’s Cello Suites on viola
In this extract from January 1999, Simon Rowland-Jones shares the challenges encountered when recording Bach’s Cello Suites on viola
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Premium ❘ Feature
From the archive: Interpreting Bach
When asked to record Bach’s Cello Suites, violist Simon Rowland-Jones chose to produce his own edition from which to work. He discusses his approach and the various problems it posed.
