All Focus articles – Page 24
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FocusAdvances in string manufacture: the latest developments
There are hundreds of strings available on the market already, and new releases seem never ending. But just why are these developments happening, how necessary are they, and how are musicians involved in that process? Pauline Harding asks string manufacturers and testers worldwide
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FocusContact points: controlling your sound through the position of your bow on the string
New England Conservatory and Juilliard School cello faculty member Natasha Brofsky introduces a set of exercises for exploring the tone, colour and expressive potential of a well-controlled bow, plus three videos showing the techniques in action
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FocusProtection and portability: five of our favourite violin cases reviewed
The number of instrument cases available can make finding your perfect partner a daunting process. Charlotte Smith takes five cases by leading manufacturers BAM, For-Tune, Gewa, Musafia and Negri on the road to test security, mobility and the range of features available
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FocusFrom the archive: Edward Stollar at 80, from the July 1990 issue of The Strad
The head of the Phillips auction house music department in London for decades, Stollar was one of the violin trade’s most respected figures. The following is an extract from an article in the July 1990 issue of the strad by Robert Lewin
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GalleryFrom The Strad Calendar 2018: Stradivarius viola, 1715
Based in Cremona, the Friends of Stradivari network brings together instruments owned by collectors and stringed-instrument enthusiasts from around the world. The Strad Calendar 2018 celebrates twelve of these treasures, with this viola from the Russian State Collection featuring in September. Text by John Dilworth
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FocusHardwood alternatives from natural options to advances in synthetics
Following CITES’ restrictions on the trade of rosewoods at the beginning of this year, there are those in the musical instrument industry who fear that ebony may be next. Peter Somerford looks at the alternatives to ebony and other exotic hardwoods being developed by a handful of intrepid manufacturers
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FocusThe Brazilian lutherie tradition, forged by the contribution of Italian migrants
Largely neglected until now, the violin making tradition of Brazil is closely tied to the history of Italian immigration to the country. In this extract from the article by Marcos Schmitz and Ivan Guimarães in the November 2017 issue of Strad, Guido Pascoli is the focus
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FocusAdvice I'd give my younger self: Nadia Sirota
Collaboration and idiosyncrasy are focuses for the American violist who advises musicians to ebrace what makes their sound unique
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Blogs10 tips for buying a new bow
Are you considering upgrading to a better bow but not sure where to start? Violinist and bow maker Mariia Gorkun gives practical advice on how to go about choosing the right bow for you and your instrument – Register for free to read
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FocusIn focus: the 1734 'Willemotte' Stradivarius violin
Florian Leonhard of London and New York dealership Florian Leonhard Fine Violins discusses the instrument now played by Leonidas Kavakos
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FocusSticky stuff: how rosin is made and how to choose the right one for your needs
As string players we all use rosin, but how many of us understand its properties well enough to choose the type that’s right for us? Laurinel Owen investigates
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FocusFrom the archive: Ruggiero Ricci's Curtin & Alf 1985 replica of the 'Huberman' Guarnerius
A very fine copy of a famous instrument which went on to achieve a healthy measure of celebrity on its own merits
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FocusArabella Steinbacher on Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto
For the German violinist, Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto opened the doors to 20th-century repertoire – and with it, whole new sound worlds
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Focus100 years ago today: Heifetz's US debut at Carnegie Hall
The Carnegie Hall recital sealed the 16-year-old’s reputation as an astonishing and unruffled performer, set a new bar for violin playing and led to a season full of engagements and a recording contract, as Dario Sarlo reveals
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FocusIs there such a thing as a distinctly American orchestral string sound?
During the 20th century, American orchestras earned a reputation for their technical brilliance and forthright tone, but could such a cultural melting pot ever produce a national way of playing? Charlotte Smith asks musicians and conductors whether the US string sounds of the past endure today
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GalleryFrom The Strad Calendar 2018: Viola da gamba by Girolamo Amati, 1611
Based in Cremona, the Friends of Stradivari network brings together instruments owned by collectors and stringed-instrument enthusiasts from around the world. The Strad Calendar 2018 celebrates twelve of these treasures, with this viola da gamba from the Russian State Collection featuring in July. Text by John Dilworth
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FocusFrank Huang's road to the New York Philharmonic
This season marks two years since Frank Huang became concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. But, as Ken Smith discovers, the Chinese-born musician might have quit the violin as a teenager had it not been for the influence of Donald Weilerstein, who taught him to think beyond the technical proficiency ...
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FocusFrom the archive: a cello by Johann Öhberg, Stockholm 1770
These photos were published alongside an article on violin making in 18th-century Sweden in the June 1989 issue of The Strad. In the extract below, violin maker Roland Wiklund discusses Johann Öhberg
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Premium ❘ FeatureMasterclass: Hartmut Rohde on Reger’s Viola Sonata op.107
Taking the first movement, the German violist shows why it is so important to study the original clarinet score of this little-heard work, before approaching the viola version
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FocusString trio repertoire from Haydn to the present day
To accompany The Strad’s October 2017 issue cover feature on the Trio Zimmermann, Geraint Lewis looks at the available repertoire for this Cinderella of string genres
