Playing – Page 10
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‘Our viola group was special’ - Letters to the editor: December 2023
A selection of letters The Strad receives each month from its readers around the world: December 2023 issue
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‘Vast quantities of music flung at them’ - From the Archive: November 1923
Composer A.M. Gifford presents a compelling argument for musicians to be more adventurous in their programming
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Opinion: The benefits of rest for students
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell is often pleasantly surprised at how much progress can be made by students during a break from lessons
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Kronos Quartet at 50: Hunger for the new
Kronos Quartet has been at the vanguard of contemporary string quartet performance for 50 years. Founder David Harrington and former cellist Joan Jeanrenaud speak with Thomas May about the legacy of innovation that the ensemble is celebrating with an ambitious series of projects this season
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Sentimental Work: Violinist Aleksey Igudesman on Schumann’s Piano Quartet
The Andante cantabile third movement of Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E flat major op.47 holds stirring memories for the innovative violinist and composer
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Session Report: The Solem Quartet’s recording of 20th-century and contemporary music
The Solem Quartet’s violist Stephen Upshaw talks to Harry White about the themes of light, shade and perspective that link the works on the ensemble’s album of 20th-century and contemporary music
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Premiere of the Month: Elena Kats-Chernin on her new double concerto
The Sarenka Concerto is in memory of an extraordinary woman
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Sphinx Organization: Change for good
For the past quarter-century the Sphinx Organization has worked tirelessly to bring much-needed diversity to the US classical music scene. Bruce Hodges examines its achievements, and hears from its founder and its president about the future
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Postcard from Boulder: Colorado Music Festival
A chance to hear the world premiere of a brand new violin concerto commissioned and played by Joshua Bell was the highlight of a trip to the Colorado Music Festival for Emma Baker
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‘I had this nagging feeling that I belonged at the Berlin Philharmonic’ - Matthew McDonald’s life lessons
The Australian double bassist on his influences and journey to becoming the Berlin Philharmonic’s section principal
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Analysis November 2023: Health awareness in the music industry
A new report highlights the importance of health awareness for players, teachers and performing arts institutions – and reaches some startling conclusions
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Double bassist Joseph Conyers: Driven by music
Principal double bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, teacher, mentor and entrepreneur, Joseph Conyers has a multifaceted career. David Kettle speaks to him to discover the source of his boundless energy
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'When someone is healthy inside, it sounds that way' - Mental health services in conservatoires
Rita Fernandes hears from administrators, counsellors and teachers from music schools about what defines a successful conservatoire mental health support system
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Pablo Casals and the Bach Cello Suites: Journey to a masterpiece
To mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Casals in October 1973, Oskar Falta examines the great Catalan cellist’s ‘rediscovery’ of the Bach Cello Suites, and the continuing legacy of his highly personal approach to the music
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Sentimental Work: Sergej Krylov on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
Mstislav Rostropovich had some resonant words of wisdom for the Soviet-born Italian violinist when they worked together on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
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Finding the right bow: A marriage made in heaven
A string player can miss out on the full potential of their instrument if they don’t find the perfect bow to go with it. A host of players and bow makers share their experiences with Jacqueline Vanasse and lend advice on the process of searching for the right bow
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Opinion: Flexibility in orchestral playing
Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that an orchestra’s greatest asset is not power or accuracy; rather the ability to adapt seamlessly to every style of music and manner of conductor
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‘His violin still sings in my ears’ - From the Archive: October 1893
The Strad selects some highlights from the memoirs of violinist Charles Dancla (1817–1907), recently published in Paris
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‘Learning to trust yourself is a never-ending process’ - Nils Mönkemeyer’s life lessons
The German violist on finding his confidence and the journey of becoming a soloist
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Session Report: Johan Dalene on recording Neoclassical 20th-century works
The young Swedish violinist Johan Dalene speaks to Tom Stewart about recording his fourth album, a recital of luminous, Neoclassical 20th-century music for violin and piano