All Focus articles – Page 39
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FocusFrom the archive: classic and modern violins compared
A report and subsequent correspondence in The Strad, 1935, show that instrument blind tests offered provocative results even then
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FocusHow young is too young when starting children on the violin?
Teacher Talk: your string teaching queries answered by the experts
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FocusSix great performances of Beethoven's ‘Kreutzer' Sonata on film
Over the last two weeks we’ve been posting videos of some of the finest performances of Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata available on YouTube. The playlist begins with precious 1926 footage of the Russian violinist Efrem Zimbalist performing the last movement of the sonata with the pianist Harold Bauer, ...
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FocusFrom the archive: Teachers to Avoid
In this opinion piece from The Strad August 1935 our writer offers cautionary – and controversial – advice on choosing a teacher
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FocusCan you name this mystery violin music?
A recording by violinist Marie Wilson offers a tantalising glimpse into her playing, but the repertoire is unnamed
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FocusLimits of the system – is too much expected of El Sistema?
As new research into El Sistema-inspired projects in England is announced, Michael Quinn asks if too much is expected from, and invested in, imports of the fabled Venezuelan music education programme
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FocusJoshua Bell on the Stradivaris of his life
Our November issue cover star describes his relationship with his ‘Huberman' Stradivari violin in conversation with Sam Zygmuntowicz
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FocusFrom the archive: Vibrato on the Violincello
In this article published in The Strad, May 1912, Emil Krall offers some instruction
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FocusFrom the archive: a female concertmaster comes out from the shadows
An article from The Strad, 1935, pays credit to pioneering violinist Marie Wilson
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FocusThe Beatles and strings – part one
Love Me Do, the Beatles' first single, was released in October 1962. We marked its 50th anniversary with an investigation by Kate Mossman into how the Fab Four brought string music into their work
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Focus
Otherworldly sounds: The Casals Festival in Perpigan
While pondering the fluctuating nature of musical trends and the idea of an underlying interpretative truth, our reviewer from September 1951 finds Pablo Casals to be a perfectly natural performer
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FocusPeace, enchantment and the enduring legacy of Casals
In this report from the Bach Festival at Prades published in The Strad July 1950, writer Christina Thoresby describes the love and respect felt towards the Catalan cellist – one of our great players of the past in the October issue
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FocusWhat happened at the 2013 China International Violin and Bow Making Competition
With an array of experts in attendance, Beijing's international violin and bow making competition was an engrossing affair. Nancy Pellegrini hears a range of views on the industry, and China's growing position within it
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FocusPractice Diary: The Miró Quartet - part two
In the November issue, second violinist William Fedkenheuer explains how the four players prepare for a recording of Schubert's Quartettsatz. Here he goes into more detail regarding tempo and intonation
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FocusFrom the archive: a tribute to the band of the Titanic
This notice from The Strad, May 1912, salutes the eight musicians who famously continued playing as the lifeboats of the Titanic were lowered
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FocusTeacher Talk: your string teaching questions answered by the experts
How long should a student work on a piece?
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FocusWhy I became a musician, by Bronislaw Huberman
In this article from the May 1911 issue of The Strad, the great violinist, who is featured in our October special edition, explains his musical background and practical approaches
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FocusWhy injury prevention is so important
Janet Horvath gives some essential guidance on how to avoid injury and ensure a long and healthy career
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FocusEleven great performances of Bach's Chaconne
Over the last few weeks we’ve been posting videos of some of the finest performances of Bach’s Chaconne available on YouTube. And a distinguished playlist it is, stretching back from Arthur Grumiaux and Nathan Milstein to Viktoria Mullova and Gil Shaham. Each performer has a different style, mood, conception – ...
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FocusThe special art of decorated instruments
The Strad Calendar 2014 features beautifully decorated instruments by some of the finest makers of all time. John Dilworth tracks the history of the noble tradition, through the makers featured
