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Technique: Creative fingering for double bassists
The Strad Recommends: Daniel Rowland: Richter
A star-studded line up performs Mozart Sinfonia concertante
A violinist’s album featuring Sting aims to raise funds to save the rainforest
‘The most original musician I’ve ever met’: remembering violinist Yehudi Menuhin
‘The most original musician I’ve ever met’: remembering violinist Yehudi Menuhin
Yehudi Menuhin’s extraordinarily multifaceted life and career more than surpassed the traditional role of the solo concert violinist. Here friends, family and colleagues who knew him, studied with him and worked alongside him describe their association with and memories of the great man
Great violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
Postcard from Detroit: Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect convention
At the Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect convention, Rita Fernandes experienced an array of inspiring events that went beyond simply addressing diversity in classical music
Playing Hub
Great violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
Postcard from Detroit: Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect convention
At the Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect convention, Rita Fernandes experienced an array of inspiring events that went beyond simply addressing diversity in classical music
Making her mark: violinist María Dueñas
Although she’s only 21, the Spanish violinist María Dueñas is already a rapidly rising star in the musical world. Tom Stewart speaks to the young virtuoso about how she has created her own unique and distinctive voice on the instrument
Creation and evolution: Manchester Collective
Manchester Collective is an ensemble that doesn’t shy away from either transporting its listeners to unexpected places, or embracing change within its own identity. Members including co‑founder and violinist Rakhi Singh talk to David Kettle about the group’s unique philosophy
A musical smorgasbord: violinist Fabio Biondi on recording Roman’s ‘Assaggi’
Italian violinist Fabio Biondi speaks to Robin Stowell about recording Swedish Baroque composer Johan Helmich Roman’s assaggi – solo musical morsels to whet the appetite
Geminiani’s scales: a portal to the past
Geminiani’s scale exercises in his seminal 1751 treatise The Art of Playing on the Violin may look puzzlingly random to modern eyes, but violinist Benjamin Shute argues that they can reveal useful insights into the thinking behind performance practice of the time
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Creative fingering for double bassists
Belgian double bassist David Desimpelaere explores the ongoing quest for new and personal solutions
Premium ❘ Feature
Making her mark: violinist María Dueñas
Although she’s only 21, the Spanish violinist María Dueñas is already a rapidly rising star in the musical world. Tom Stewart speaks to the young virtuoso about how she has created her own unique and distinctive voice on the instrument
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Creative fingering for double bassists
Belgian double bassist David Desimpelaere explores the ongoing quest for new and personal solutions
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: Choosing the right repertoire for group instrumental lessons
With the growth in popularity of group instrumental lessons, it’s never been more important to match the music to the pupil says cellist, composer and teacher Thomas Gregory
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Christian Poltéra on Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello
The challenges of Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello led to a memorable encounter between the Swiss cellist and his childhood hero, Mstislav Rostropovich
Competitions
Violin winners of the Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition announced
Violinist Kim Byeol Claire won the senior category, receiving $2,000
Semi-finalists announced for the 2025 Antonio Mormone International Prize
In a unique semi-final round where the jurors follow competitors over ten months, ten violinists will have the opportunity to compete for a first-prize package, which includes €30,000, a recording contract, concert engagements and artist management
Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition announces 2024 winners
Winner of the senior division, violinist Ilva Eigus, receives €3,000 and a violin bow
![[3] Soyoung Yoon pc Julia Wesel](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/7/7/0/33770_3soyoungyoonpcjuliawesel_221630.jpg)
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: May 2024
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Britta Byström’s new violin concerto for Janine Jansen
Day and night inspire a new violin concerto
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.8, first movement
Violinist Viktoria Mullova describes how knowledge of historical style, a sense of spontaneity and precise metronome work are crucial for pulling off this cheeky movement
Masterclass: Beethoven Cello Sonata no.5, second and third movements
Cellist Gary Hoffman considers the importance of context to understand and appreciate this work, written in 1815 during a period of isolation and difficulty for the composer
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.8, first movement
Violinist Viktoria Mullova describes how knowledge of historical style, a sense of spontaneity and precise metronome work are crucial for pulling off this cheeky movement
Masterclass: Beethoven Cello Sonata no.5, second and third movements
Cellist Gary Hoffman considers the importance of context to understand and appreciate this work, written in 1815 during a period of isolation and difficulty for the composer
Masterclass: Ravel Violin Sonata no.2, second movement ‘Blues’
Violinist Curtis Stewart looks at how to get the most from the different styles Ravel used, and how questions that arise from their juxtaposition are arguably more important than answers
The Strad Podcast #115: designing your own musical education as an adult learner with violinist Julia Reddy
How can adult students gain musical enrichment beyond the practice room? The violinist, teacher and podcaster shares her strategies
The Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
The Strad Podcast #114: exploring resources and finding your teaching style with cellist Guy Johnston
The cellist speaks about how resources left by renowned ‘cello gods,’ as well as fostering a community of sharing has informed his teaching methods throughout his career
The Strad Podcast #113: Uncovering Ysaÿe’s lost works with violinist Philippe Graffin
The violinist speaks about his efforts to bring Ysaÿe’s Poème concertant into the limelight
The Strad Podcast #115: designing your own musical education as an adult learner with violinist Julia Reddy
How can adult students gain musical enrichment beyond the practice room? The violinist, teacher and podcaster shares her strategies
The Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
The Strad Podcast #114: exploring resources and finding your teaching style with cellist Guy Johnston
The cellist speaks about how resources left by renowned ‘cello gods,’ as well as fostering a community of sharing has informed his teaching methods throughout his career
Competitons
Violin winners of the Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition announced
Violinist Kim Byeol Claire won the senior category, receiving $2,000
Semi-finalists announced for the 2025 Antonio Mormone International Prize
In a unique semi-final round where the jurors follow competitors over ten months, ten violinists will have the opportunity to compete for a first-prize package, which includes €30,000, a recording contract, concert engagements and artist management
Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition announces 2024 winners
Winner of the senior division, violinist Ilva Eigus, receives €3,000 and a violin bow
Solo Bach in Alaska from cellist Yo-Yo Ma
Ma plays the solemn D minor Prelude amid melting permafrost on Lower Tanana Dene lands in Fairbanks, Alaska
Solo Bach in Alaska from cellist Yo-Yo Ma
A star-studded line up performs Mozart Sinfonia concertante
Exploring Piazzolla’s sound effects by violinist Tomás Cotik
New video: Wagner’s ‘Träume’ for viola and piano
Piazzolla’s musical style by violinist Tomás Cotik
Video premiere: The Spektral Quartet presents ‘Thus, the Night’
Piazzolla’s immigrant story by violinist Tomás Cotik
Kavakos, Ma and Ax: a legendary trio performs Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
Stradivarius and Beyond: The Italian Violin Maker Giovanni Grancino
The Danish Quartet performs ‘Danny Boy’
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A Gagliano and a Strad: the violins of Maria Dueñas
Our May 2024 cover star discusses the tools of her trade with Tom Stewart
The pernambuco wood dilemma: a call for global responsibility and unity
Connecting cultural heritage and environmental sustainability, Daniel Neves discusses a proposal to include pernambuco in Appendix I of CITES, a change that would significantly impact the global trade of this essential wood
The Maccaferri-style violin inspired by Django Reinhardt
Luthier Neil Campbell shares how he crafted a violin in the style of the iconic instrument played by the legendary guitarist
A mystery unveiled: the makers of Ferrara
While scholars have scrutinised the making traditions of various Italian cities, the luthiers of Ferrara have been largely neglected – until now. Florian Leonhard presents the results of recent archival research into Alessandro Mezzadri and the Marconcini family, along with notes on their making styles
Decorating a bow frog: let the flowers bloom
A very specialist part of the bow maker’s craft is the addition of decorative inlay into a bow frog. Vladimiros Sorokin-Andreou presents his method for this intricate and delicate part of the process
In Focus: c.1810–20 bow by Christian Wilhelm Knopf
Matthieu Besseling on a bow by the Knopf dynasty’s patriarch
A Gagliano and a Strad: the violins of Maria Dueñas
Our May 2024 cover star discusses the tools of her trade with Tom Stewart
The pernambuco wood dilemma: a call for global responsibility and unity
Connecting cultural heritage and environmental sustainability, Daniel Neves discusses a proposal to include pernambuco in Appendix I of CITES, a change that would significantly impact the global trade of this essential wood
The Maccaferri-style violin inspired by Django Reinhardt
Luthier Neil Campbell shares how he crafted a violin in the style of the iconic instrument played by the legendary guitarist
A mystery unveiled: the makers of Ferrara
While scholars have scrutinised the making traditions of various Italian cities, the luthiers of Ferrara have been largely neglected – until now. Florian Leonhard presents the results of recent archival research into Alessandro Mezzadri and the Marconcini family, along with notes on their making styles
Decorating a bow frog: let the flowers bloom
A very specialist part of the bow maker’s craft is the addition of decorative inlay into a bow frog. Vladimiros Sorokin-Andreou presents his method for this intricate and delicate part of the process
In Focus: c.1810–20 bow by Christian Wilhelm Knopf
Matthieu Besseling on a bow by the Knopf dynasty’s patriarch
Concert review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Jessie Montgomery, Lera Auerbach, Chris Rogerson and Kaija Saariaho at the Rose Studio, New York, on 18 January 2024
Concert review: Apollon Musagète Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Schubert, Dvořák and Shostakovich at the Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York on 7 February 2024
Concert review: Jan Vogler (cello) Amanda Gorman (poet)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the innovative performance of Bach at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in New York’s Carnegie Hall on 17 February 2024
The Strad Recommends: Daniel Rowland: Richter
A new approach to an iconic piece proves seductive
The Strad Recommends: Tim Posner: Bloch, Bruch, Dohnányi
An impressive concerto debut from a characterful young Brit
The Strad Recommends: Trio Zimbalist: Auerbach, Dvořák, Weinberg
Performances to sit alongside the finest in this enterprising programme
Book review: Bows, Strings and Dreams
Lauren Wesley-Smith reviews the autobiography of 16-year-old violin wunderkind Leia Zhu
Book review: Angel Eyes
Anne Inglis reviews the first in a projected trilogy of novels by Roger Graham Hargrave centred on the violin business
Book review: Bach Six Suites for Violoncello solo (BWV1007–12) arranged for viola solo
Misha Galaganov reviews Bärenreiter’s new edition of the Bach Suites edited for performance by violists
Debate
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Opinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section
While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski
Debate
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Opinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section
While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski
Accessories
Products May 2024: Schilbach UV tanning lamp
A lamp for luthiers to tan violins and cure varnish
Products May 2024: Dörfler bow winding machine
A new product from the German bow making workshop
Products May 2024: Thomastik Rondo Gold violin strings
A new set in the Rondo range
Concert review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Jessie Montgomery, Lera Auerbach, Chris Rogerson and Kaija Saariaho at the Rose Studio, New York, on 18 January 2024
Concert review: Apollon Musagète Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Schubert, Dvořák and Shostakovich at the Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York on 7 February 2024
Concert review: Jan Vogler (cello) Amanda Gorman (poet)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the innovative performance of Bach at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in New York’s Carnegie Hall on 17 February 2024
Book review: Bows, Strings and Dreams
Lauren Wesley-Smith reviews the autobiography of 16-year-old violin wunderkind Leia Zhu
Book review: Angel Eyes
Anne Inglis reviews the first in a projected trilogy of novels by Roger Graham Hargrave centred on the violin business
Book review: Bach Six Suites for Violoncello solo (BWV1007–12) arranged for viola solo
Misha Galaganov reviews Bärenreiter’s new edition of the Bach Suites edited for performance by violists
The Strad Recommends: Daniel Rowland: Richter
A new approach to an iconic piece proves seductive
The Strad Recommends: Tim Posner: Bloch, Bruch, Dohnányi
An impressive concerto debut from a characterful young Brit
The Strad Recommends: Trio Zimbalist: Auerbach, Dvořák, Weinberg
Performances to sit alongside the finest in this enterprising programme
Artists
Great violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
Sentimental Work: Elena Urioste on Mel Bonis’s Violin Sonata
The Violin Sonata by French composer Mel Bonis was a revelation for the US-born violinist, revealing both a new sound world and innovative techniques in music writing
The Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
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