All Features articles – Page 13
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Premium ❘ FeatureHeifetz as teacher: Words from the master
Ayke Agus served as Heifetz’s personal accompanist during classes and performances for the last 15 years of his life. Here, she shares recollections of his practice routine and teaching methods with Enrico Alvares
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Premium ❘ FeatureChad Hoopes: State of independence
Chad Hoopes launched his career with a spectacular win aged 13 in the Junior division of the Menuhin Competition in 2008, but in subsequent years, the forward-looking, innately positive US violinist has deliberately taken less obvious paths to musical success, as he tells Toby Deller
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Premium ❘ FeatureBlack America: A race for change
Still now, in the 21st century, black people are inadequately represented within classical music. Pauline Harding talks to string players in America about lingering social oppression and what the wider community can do to bring about progress
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Premium ❘ FeatureBay Area bow makers: Bows on the bay
With a large and growing music community, the San Francisco Bay Area became a hotbed of violin and bow making talent in the early 20th century. Raphael Gold tells the stories of the most prominent bow makers of the day
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Premium ❘ FeatureScottish folk baroque fusion: When worlds collide
In the Baroque and early Classical eras a succession of Scottish and Italian composers took an interest in fusing Scots fiddle and song melodies with Italian art music structures. Kevin MacDonald investigates the trend
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: A question of balance
Italian violinist Fabio Biondi’s new album of Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin marks a unique opportunity to challenge established interpretations and beliefs surrounding these seminal works, writes Rita Fernandes
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Premium ❘ FeatureJanine Jansen: A spiritual connection
Even for one of the most revered violinists, it is a daunting task to get to know twelve of the world’s finest Stradivaris, many with jaw-dropping pasts, within only a few weeks. Janine Jansen talks to Pauline Harding about how she did just that for a new recording and documentary
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Premium ❘ FeatureHistorical varnishes: Beneath the surface
The inclusion of minerals in Italian varnishes from the 16th to mid-18th centuries has long been a source of speculation. Balthazar Soulier, Stefan Zumbühl and Christophe Zindel present the first results of a long-term study showing that key answers can be found in early German recipes
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Premium ❘ FeatureNupen and du Pré: Golden girl
Documentary maker Christopher Nupen made several groundbreaking films with Jacqueline du Pré. Here he shares his memories of the legendary British cellist who tragically died at the age of 42 after battling with multiple sclerosis
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Two’s company
Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Sol Gabetta’s new recording is the culmination of many years of music making and friendship, as the pair tell Charlotte Gardner
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Premium ❘ FeatureTianjin Juilliard School: A new dawn
The first school to offer US-accredited music degrees in mainland China, Juilliard’s Tianjin campus is the next step in the long history of East-West partnerships. Tom Stewart discovers how the institution is attracting students from all over the globe
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe Strad Calendar 2022: Dutch treasures
The Strad Calendar 2022 showcases twelve of the finest instruments belonging to the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation. Head of collection Frits Schutte outlines its work, while Hubert de Launay gives a tour of the riches
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Premium ❘ FeatureSuzuki teaching: Every child can
Since Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki founded his method of bowed string tuition in 1945, it has been adopted and embraced by countries around the world. Samara Ginsberg talks to teachers and students, past and present, about their experiences of Suzuki teaching and its enduring popularity
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe Suzuki approach to tone: Every tone has a living soul – Shinichi Suzuki
Suzuki’s study of violin tone was his lifetime’s work. Here violinist and teacher Helen Brunner shares personal reminiscences of working with him
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Premium ❘ FeatureAntiquing: The art of deception?
Making a new instrument look old is a painstaking craft that requires skill, patience and imagination. But why do luthiers spend their time creating an unreal effect? Peter Somerford speaks to both advocates and critics of the process
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Premium ❘ FeatureDaniil Shafran: The unsung hero
The Soviet cellist Daniil Shafran was a unique performer with a highly individual technique and sense of interpretation. He deserves to be recognised as one of the 20th century’s great instrumentalists, writes Oskar Falta
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Premium ❘ FeatureViola sizes: Size does matter
Viola players everywhere know the difficulty in finding the perfect instrument – but how many realise the differences that size, shape and weight can make to playability and tone? William Castle gives a step-by-step guide to finding the one that’s right for you
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolin making and AI: Intelligent design
The science of violin acoustics has encompassed 3D scanning, CNC technology and good old-fashioned tap tones – so why not AI software? Sebastian Gonzalez presents the results of a project that could help predict an instrument’s tone qualities even before it’s made
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Classical crusader
French cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca’s Wonderful World recording project highlights the environmental challenges facing humanity – and musicians really can make a difference, he tells Tom Stewart
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Premium ❘ FeatureEsther Yoo: A sunny disposition
In the past few years, US violinist Esther Yoo has seen her career blossom as a soloist and chamber player. And despite the pandemic, she has seized every opportunity to grow as a musician, as she tells Amanda Holloway
