Featured Stories
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Blogs
9 things cellists need to consider when taking an orchestral audition
Audition preparation presents myriad challenges for prospective orchestral cellists, writes Jennifer Langridge, ahead of the London Cello Society’s Professional Development Day on tackling orchestral auditions
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Blogs
Giving voice: how three Levantine female singers inspired composer Bushra El-Turk
The composer explains the background for her work Three Tributes, ahead of its UK premiere by the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam later this week
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Blogs
Nietzschean virtuosity: Rainer Eudeikis plays Salonen’s Cello Concerto in San Francisco
US correspondent Thomas May speaks with Rainer Eudeikis, San Francisco Symphony’s principal cellist, about the unusual challenges of performing the Cello Concerto by the orchestra’s music director.
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Blogs
Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja on the shadow world of Shostakovich
US correspondent Thomas May speaks with Patricia Kopatchinskaja about playing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 on her current tour with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner, which culminates in her long-overdue Carnegie Hall debut.
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Rachel Barton Pine: ‘What we’re doing today is the history of tomorrow’
As she turns 50, the American violinist Rachel Barton Pine speaks to Ariane Todes about her unwavering enthusiasm for discovering, and communicating, the artistic integrity in everything she does
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Musical service: String groups in the US military
Rita Fernandes hears from musicians in the United States Air Force, Army and Marine Corps and travels to Washington DC to discover the little-known world of string playing in the US military
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Session Report: violinist Fenella Humphreys and composer Adrian Sutton on a new violin concerto
Being diagnosed with an incurable cancer spurred on War Horse composer Adrian Sutton to write a new violin concerto for Fenella Humphreys. Michael White hears from both composer and soloist about recording the work
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Blogs
How to deal with hypermobility as a string player
Although superhuman flexibility may initially seem like a gift, it also presents itself with challenges and injury. Adam Hockman interviews violinist Francesca dePasquale on how string players can approach hypermobility in their playing and treatment
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Review
Concert review: Star power within the Seattle Symphony
US correspondent Thomas May writes about a recent Seattle Symphony programme spotlighting the orchestra’s concertmaster and principal cellist in the Brahms Double Concerto.
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Article
Composer Anselm McDonnell explores microtonal music on the violin
Composer Anselm McDonnell writes about curating a concert for multiple violins that pushes the boundaries of traditional tuning and intonation
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Blogs
‘It’s like an arranged marriage!’: a brand new piano trio makes its debut for a new London concert hall
Cellist Guy Johnston writes about the creation of the Bechstein Piano Trio, formed ahead of the opening of London’s new Bechstein Hall in November
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Blogs
Joshua Roman’s debut solo album and the healing power of music
US correspondent Thomas May speaks with American cellist and composer Joshua Roman about his new solo album, Immunity, and how it reflects his experience with Long Covid.
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Blogs
In loving memory of my grandfather, who gifted me his violin: Dmytro Lysko
Every performance is a continuation of Dmytro Lysko’s family story and legacy, thanks to a treasured violin that can be heard on the Vivere Quartet’s latest album, Prayer for Ukraine
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Sentimental Work: Alexander Sitkovetsky on Bach’s ‘Double’ Violin Concerto
Bach’s ‘Double’ Violin Concerto in D minor BWV1043 has been a constant companion throughout the Russian–British violinist’s life, and played critical roles in his career
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‘The mechanical limits of the viola’ - From the archive: October 1924
The pseudonymous ‘Ike’ calls for a rethink of the orchestral layout, and describes an instrument resembling the ‘Parramon’ tenor viola of 1932 (see In Focus, September 2022)
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Blogs
Preparing a National Youth Orchestra audition: violinist Sakura Fish
Violinist Sakura Fish shares her top tips for preparing for an audition, as well as other ways to get involved with the NYO
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Blogs
Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time by adult cello learner, Mavis Himes
Psychoanalyst Mavis Himes presents an excerpt from her memoir, which explores her musical journey of learning the cello later in life
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Article
Thriller night: improvising scores for silent cinema on the viola
In anticipation of his tour playing in UK cinemas, violist and filmmaker Hugo Max reflects on his unique process of improvising live soundtracks for silent horror movies on solo viola
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The DIY approach: Self-taught string playing
Can you teach yourself the violin? Violinist, teacher and author Celia Cobb believed it to be impossible – until a new book made her re-evaluate some of her assumptions
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‘Imagination is one of the most important things in music’ - Alexander Baillie’s life lessons
The British cellist on playing fundamentals and developing musicality