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The Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first recording session, which took place on 17 September 1973 at All Saints’ Church in west London. The musicians, under the baton of Christopher Hogwood, recorded a selection of overtures by Thomas Arne. At the time, their approach was radical: they performed on period instruments using, as far as possible, the techniques that were current at the time of composition. This video features reminiscences by Emma Kirkby, John McMunn and current AAM music director Laurence Cummings.

‘Our anniversary is an opportunity to look back at AAM’s impressive history,’ said Cummings, ‘and celebrate our continued commitment to historical detail and musical adventure.’

 

Best of Technique

In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers. It’s packed full of exercises for students, plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing.

Masterclass

The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.

Calendars

American collector David L. Fulton amassed one of the 20th century’s finest collections of stringed instruments. This year’s calendar pays tribute to some of these priceless treasures, including Yehudi Menuhin’s celebrated ‘Lord Wilton’ Guarneri, the Carlo Bergonzi once played by Fritz Kreisler, and four instruments by Antonio Stradivari.