All Regulars articles
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Making Matters: Historically Informed?
Are the gut strings used in HIP really true to those used by 18th- and 19th-century players? Kai Köpp examines the technical reasons why today’s strings might sound quite different from their predecessors
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Sentimental Work: Renaud Capuçon
Despite being a ‘non-violinistic’ piece, the Brahms Violin Sonata no.1 stands out for the French violinist as the work that helped him discover the wonders of chamber music
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Opinion: A New Deal for Early Music
Covid-19 has highlighted the economic inequalities that divide musicians who perform on period instruments from the majority of today’s string players, says Andrew Mellor
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News
Analysis: Support Network
The past few years have seen a change in attitudes regarding mental health provision at UK music colleges. How are conservatoires responding to rapidly growing demand? From January 2020
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Feature
Sentimental Work: Amanda Forsyth
For the Canadian cellist, Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote is a rollercoaster ride through all the composer’s Romantic works, as well as a huge physical challenge
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News
Analysis: Brain training
Can learning a musical instrument have a positive effect on a child’s mental health? Players and teachers give their thoughts on the psychological benefits for young people, as Peter Somerford finds out
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Making Matters: Shaping the head
Violin makers have always been aware of physical issues like repetitive strain injury – but it’s just as important to take care of their mental health and wellbeing. John Beames examines some of the most common problems, and suggests some ways to combat them
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Technique: Developing bow control for improved tone
Violist Martin Outram on mix of exercises to help you draw out sound actively and attentively with the right hand
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Debate
Opinion: The Wisdom of Yoda
In the Star Wars universe, Jedi Master Yoda is the ultimate teacher – and his insights can be applied just as readily to string playing as to learning the ways of the Force, writes cellist Brian Hodges
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Astrid Schween: Life Lessons
The Juilliard Quartet cellist recalls her many tutors and stresses the importance of staying curious
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Focus
Sentimental Work: Arnold Steinhardt
For the former leader of the Guarneri Quartet, Schubert’s Fantasy in C major is one of the most life-affirming works in the repertoire, as well as a test of technical skill
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Making Matters: Hidden in plain sight
The Stradivari moulds preserved at Cremona’s Museo del Violino still have secrets to give up. David Beard re-examines all 17 survivors to find how they reveal details from rib heights to the maker’s working method
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Cello explorations: Postcard from Dublin
Adrian Smith spent a weekend in Dublin exploring the delights of Spike Cello Festival, a vibrant ‘alt-cello’ weekend that celebrates the versatility of the instrument beyond the core classical repertoire
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Focus
Sentimental Work: Matt Haimovitz
For the cellist, Ligeti’s Sonata for Solo Cello was the doorway into the complex world of modern and non-classical music – with a little help from the composer himself
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In Focus: A 1911 cello by Guglielmo Secondo Camillo Mandelli
Lionnel Genovart looks at the Italian maker’s instrument
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Premiere of the Month: Back to nature
An English composer explores the world of Vaughan Williams
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‘The kind of varnish used is simply a matter of taste’: From the Archive: May 1932
US violin maker Edward Hellier-Collens gives readers of The Strad the benefit of his expertise: good violin tone lies not in the varnish after all, but in the ‘filler’ (ground coat)
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Analysis May 2022: Bright young things
A new survey by the American String Teachers Association gives an insight into the experiences of young music students. How can educators act on its findings? By Harry White
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‘It may reduce luthiers’ frustrations with lazy treatment of instruments!’: Letters to the Editor May 2022
A selection of letters The Strad receives each month from its readers around the world: May 2022 issue