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Premium ❘ FocusSentimental Work: Philippe Graffin
For the Elgar Violin Concerto, the French violinist has taken advice from Yehudi Menuhin, Josef Gingold and Roger Norrington – as well as the composer’s original manuscript
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Opinion: Live for the moment
Classical musicians and audiences can learn from stand-up comedy shows, where there’s a naturalness and immediacy of interaction between performers and the crowd, writes Rita Fernandes
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Sol Gabetta: Life Lessons
The Argentinian cellist explains why staying true to oneself and constantly evolving make for a fruitful career
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Hybrid model: Postcard from Trondheim
The 2021 Princess Astrid International Music Competition worked around the continuing pandemic restrictions with online preliminary rounds followed by a live final on 18 November. Tim Homfray travelled north to witness some compelling performances
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Masterclass: Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro op.70
Cellist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt discusses how to produce a true legato and varied tone colours appropriate to this tempestuous work. From February 2016
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Hilary Hahn: Born original
Shirley Apthorp interviewed the then 19-year-old violinist Hilary Hahn for The Strad’s November 1999 issue. Here, Hahn shares her love of writing, solo Bach, her educational background and her insights on the great violinists of our time
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The geometry of violin outlines: Proportional representation
In this article from March 1990, Leslie Wyatt offers a rational and coherent geometrical method for the construction of an inner form outline and for sizing and positioning the f-holes, to break free from the traditional slavish reproduction of classical instruments
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Free in Spirit
January 2018 marked the 70th birthday of cellist Mischa Maisky, who celebrated by whizzing round the world in solo and chamber performances with his Maisky Trio, featuring daughter Lily and son Sascha.Peter Quantrill caught up with him in London, Istanbul and Verbier
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Playing with the Straight and Narrow
Vilde Frang has made a name for herself with her playfully ethereal musical style and unconventional approach to programming. Charlotte Gardnertalks to the Norwegian violinist about her latest recording and her unusual route to success
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Musical Emissaries
The Shanghai Quartet celebrates its 35th anniversary during the 2018–19 season by performing eight complete Beethoven cycles around the world. The players speak to Charlotte Smithabout forming at a time when Western chamber music was barely understood in their native China, and about promoting the art form to Chinese audiences ...
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Where there’s a will there’s a way
During two months in Uganda, Pauline Harding learns about the indigenous one-stringed endingidi, and discovers how difficult it can be to learn an instrument in a country whose education system lends little support for arts training
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Technique: strum bowing
A guitar technique adapted for violin, to help bowed string players plug into their inner groove. By Tracy Silverman, electric violinist, author of The Strum Bowing Method , string faculty member at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and jazz clinic and workshop tutor worldwide
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Trade secrets: bending the slope on a viola da gamba back
Care and accuracy are both essential for this delicate part of the making process. By Gabriela Guadalajara, luthier based in New York, NY, US
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In focus: a violin by Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ c. 1710
Written by Gennady Filimonov
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Trade secrets: a method for cooking oil varnish by Nicolas Gilles
A technique that relies on the senses and helps you get the right varnish for your needs, by Nicolas Gilles, luthier in Villeneuvette, France
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Trade secrets: An innovative method of neck setting
Gluing the neck to the ribs before the top and back plates allows for a more accurate and hassle-free process. By Hayato Nagaishi, luthier based in Cremona, Italy, and Tokyo, Japan
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In focus: a 1972 violin by Alfredo del Lungo
Alfredo Del Lungo began studying the art of violin making at the workshop of his father, Giuseppe Del Lungo (1883–1926), while also taking cello lessons at the Conservatorio Cherubini in Florence. In 1933, aged 24, he was appointed official luthier to the Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina, which soon became the Orchestra ...
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Baroque Benelux: Early Wake Up
How did musicians in an area as small as the Low Countries spark a revolution in Baroque music whose effects were felt around the world? David Kettle talks to some key figures to find out
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Francesco Geminiani: Lessons from the Master
Francesco Geminiani’s violin treatise remains one of the key resources for anyone studying Baroque technique. Robin Stowell considers the composer’s legacy to string playing and teaching, 250 years after his death
