All Premium ❘ Feature articles
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Premium ❘ FeatureProject Lutherie: Euclidean geometry and digital instrument design
A decade ago, François Denis’s Traité de Lutherie showed how the old Italians used Euclidean geometry to design their instruments. Now a computer program based on these principles allows luthiers to construct and adapt patterns quickly and easily. Its creator, Harry Mairson, explains the genesis of Digital Amati, in this ...
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Imaging technology: Learning the finer points
Researchers have used particle-accelerator technology to unlock a Guadagnini’s tiniest secrets. Trieste-based imaging specialist Franco Zanini explains how, in this lutherie feature from January 2012
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Long read: Playing Baroque and Classical
Current trends encourage stylistically informed performances of Baroque and Classical music, but how does an uninitiated player get started? Pauline Nobes offers some advice in this feature from September 2003
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Between the Baroque and modern age: Vuillaume’s ‘Messiah’ Strad
Stefan-Peter Greiner examines Vuillaume’s unorthodox method of fastening and extending the neck in his copy of the ‘Messiah’ Strad. From November 1996
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Baroque cello playing: Going for baroque
You don’t need years of study to play Baroque cello with style and panache, argues Daniel Yeadon in this article from June 2000 - just a willingness to think differently
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Suzuki’s ambassador: Helen Brunner
After encountering Suzuki’s teaching in the US, Helen Brunner was convinced it should be brought to the UK. That the task should fall to her seemed a matter of destiny, she tells Caroline Heslop, in this article from September 2000
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Global impact of Suzuki: The method and the movement
From humble beginnings in a Japanese music school, Suzuki teaching has become one of the most popular forms of music education worldwide. In this feature from September 2012, Laurie Niles reports on the programme’s global impact
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The Suzuki method: A visionary with a violin
Startled by children’s ability to learn their own language, Shin’ichi Suzuki applied the ‘mother-tongue’ approach to violin teaching. William Starr explains the principles behind his then-revolutionary ideas in this article from December 1998
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Peg-turning masterpieces: Heinrich Biber Baroque Scordatura
Biber’s Mystery Sonatas are the most famous example of Baroque scordatura, but there are many more works to discover, explains Pauline Nobes in this article from June 2003
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Gut strings: A strong stomach for strings
As gut becomes increasingly popular among players, Jenny Nex uncovers documents revealing the pioneers of the string making trade of 18th-century London, and the secrets behind the messy job of processing intestines. From February 2011
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Wood densitometry: Material facts
Were the old Cremonese luthiers really using better woods than those available to other makers in Europe? In this article from January 2013, Terry Borman and Berend Stoel present a study of density that seems to suggest otherwise
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Suzuki teaching: Every child can
Since Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki founded his method of bowed string tuition in 1945, it has been adopted and embraced by countries around the world. Samara Ginsberg talks to teachers and students, past and present, about their experiences of Suzuki teaching and its enduring popularity
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The Suzuki approach to tone: Every tone has a living soul – Shinichi Suzuki
Suzuki’s study of violin tone was his lifetime’s work. Here violinist and teacher Helen Brunner shares personal reminiscences of working with him
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Antiquing: The art of deception?
Making a new instrument look old is a painstaking craft that requires skill, patience and imagination. But why do luthiers spend their time creating an unreal effect? Peter Somerford speaks to both advocates and critics of the process
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Historically informed performance: Baroque revolution
Historically informed performance requires no secret code, argues Baroque violin professor Walter S. Reiter. The information is out there for the taking, and modern music colleges need to get ahead of the game
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Daniil Shafran: The unsung hero
The Soviet cellist Daniil Shafran was a unique performer with a highly individual technique and sense of interpretation. He deserves to be recognised as one of the 20th century’s great instrumentalists, writes Oskar Falta
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Viola sizes: Size does matter
Viola players everywhere know the difficulty in finding the perfect instrument – but how many realise the differences that size, shape and weight can make to playability and tone? William Castle gives a step-by-step guide to finding the one that’s right for you
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Violin making and AI: Intelligent design
The science of violin acoustics has encompassed 3D scanning, CNC technology and good old-fashioned tap tones – so why not AI software? Sebastian Gonzalez presents the results of a project that could help predict an instrument’s tone qualities even before it’s made
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Session Report: Classical crusader
French cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca’s Wonderful World recording project highlights the environmental challenges facing humanity – and musicians really can make a difference, he tells Tom Stewart
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In Focus: A 1911 violin by Anatoly Leman
Yuri Pochekin details an instrument by one of the most important figures in Russian violin making history
