All Features articles – Page 14
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Premium ❘ FeatureHerrmann bow making dynasty: An enduring legacy
Like their close contemporaries the Knopfs, the Herrmann family of bow makers left behind a large number of bows, many of which show exquisite craftsmanship. In the second of two articles, Gennady Filimonov examines their history, their connections with the Knopfs, and several examples of their work
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Premium ❘ FeatureNeck setting: Adjustment to change
The method of connecting an instrument’s neck to its body has undergone seismic changes since the Baroque era. Joseph Curtin analyses the ancient and modern procedures, and examines the benefits offered by fixing an adjustable neck
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Premium ❘ FeatureBach Solo Violin Partitas: Lord of the dance
Three centuries ago, Bach had completed his set of six Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. In the second of two articles, Lewis Kaplan, senior member of the Juilliard School faculty, discusses interpretation of the three partitas – with reference to Bach’s autograph score
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Premium ❘ FeatureFemale violinists of 18th-century England: Portrait of a lady holding a violin
Taking a Regency portrait of an unknown violinist as his starting point, Kevin MacDonald investigates the lives and careers of Louise Gautherot and other female violinists of Georgian England
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Premium ❘ FeatureRecording arching profiles: Ahead of the curve
Recording the archings of instruments is one of the most difficult areas of violin making and restoration. Charline Dequincey describes a method using dental compound which is accessible to anyone, and gives high-quality results
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Weathering the storm
Violinist Karen Gomyo’s new album, dedicated to Astor Piazzolla and recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic, was a profound and personal project for all involved, writes Rita Fernandes
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Premium ❘ FeatureCarlo Bergonzi 1735 ‘Baron Knoop’ violin: Measure for measure
Rudolf Hopfner explains how the vast majority of measurements for The Strad ’s latest poster were taken from micro-CT scans of the ‘Baron Knoop’ Bergonzi
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Premium ❘ FeatureBach Solo Violin Sonatas: At heart a fugue
Three centuries ago, Bach had completed his set of six Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. In the first of two articles, Lewis Kaplan, senior member of the Juilliard School faculty, discusses interpretation of the three sonatas with reference to Bach’s autograph score
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Premium ❘ FeatureVilla-Lobos and the cello: A voice for Brazil
Heitor Villa-Lobos began his musical career as a cellist and wrote numerous works for the instrument, including the monumental Second Cello Concerto. However, his primary interest lay in promoting the folk traditions of his Brazilian homeland rather than advancing the cello’s virtuoso repertoire, writes Felipe Avellar de Aquino
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Waxing Lyrical
Violist Timothy Ridout’s recording of Schumann and Prokofiev transcriptions was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with a favourite vocal work from his childhood, as he tells Toby Deller
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolin making schools in China: The way of the future
In the second of two articles on violin making in China, Sisi Ye examines the schools teaching the art of lutherie to young people, where tuition can last up to ten years and a grounding in music theory is essential
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Premium ❘ FeatureMarius May: Sovereign Voice
Marius May, who died last year, led the generation of British cellists that emerged after Jacqueline du Pré. Here, Simon May tells the story of his younger brother’s astonishing flowering as a teenage musical talent, and his eventual decision to withdraw from performing life
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Premium ❘ FeatureBomsori: Singing from the heart
For Korean violinist Bomsori, the past year has been one of her busiest yet, with numerous live and streamed performances and her first solo recording for Deutsche Grammophon. As she takes her next steps on the road to international renown, she shares her guiding principles with Andrew Mellor
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Premium ❘ FeatureKnopf dynasty: A tangled web
Three bow makers of the Knopf family are well known: Christian Wilhelm, Heinrich and Henry. But the dynasty comprises more than a dozen members, many of whom deserve recognition. Gennady Filimonov draws on archive material supplied by the Knopf descendants
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Premium ❘ FeatureJoseph White: Making history
Cuban-born violinist Joseph White’s 1875 debut with the Philharmonic Society of New York was both a triumph and enormously significant – as the orchestra’s first performance with a soloist of African descent. Yavet Boyadjiev explores the event itself and the circumstances surrounding it
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Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Symphony of three
For the Sitkovetsky Trio, the challenge of recording Ravel’s Piano Trio was combining three disparate solo voices to sound as one – but the reward was a performance far greater than the sum of its parts, the players tell Tom Stewart
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Premium ❘ FeatureVincenzo Postiglione: Fair copies
Vincenzo Postiglione was one of Naples’ leading instrument makers in the late 19th century, and his work is well represented in its Conservatory of Music. Luigi Sisto examines two copies of instruments by Mariani and Gofriller, to find what they reveal about his making style
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Premium ❘ Feature12 Ensemble: In the driving seat
Formed in 2012, conductorless London-based string group the 12 Ensemble has taken an unconventional path to making a name for itself, as artistic directors Eloisa-Fleur Thom and Max Ruisi tell Toby Deller
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Premium ❘ FeatureJulian Lloyd Webber: A glittering career
In celebration of his 70th birthday last month, British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber shares with Julian Haylock memories of a long and fulfilling professional life – and also looks forward to returning to the stage as a conductor
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Premium ❘ FeatureAzzo Rovescalli: The cream of Crema
The city of Crema has a unique violin making tradition, and Azzo Rovescalli was its most prominent maker in the 20th century – even though it never made him rich. Lorenzo Frignani and Vittorio Formaggia examine his life and work, along with the instruments of his sons
