All Orchestral articles – Page 2
-
Video
Mendelssohn - String Symphony No. 10, Tabea Zimmermann, JSO
The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra strings, lead from the viola by Tabea Zimmermann, perform Mendelssohn’s String Symphony no.10. The String Symphonies (twelve in total) were composed when Mendelssohn was between twelve and 14 years old.
-
Video
TwoSet Violin: 21 Types of Orchestral Players
Brett and Eddy are back with a their unique take on life as a professional violinist. TwoSet Violin is currently on a crowdfunded world tour, with the next stops in Oslo, Warsaw, and Vienna. Click here for more info.
-
Video
David Nadien plays Swan Lake Solo with Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic
In this video, David Nadien, the New York Philharmonic’s concertmaster from 1966 to 1970, plays the Pas de deux violin solo from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Nadien was appointed by Bernstein in 1966 in what was seen as quite a controversional move: the violinist had cut his teeth in the studios ...
-
Focus
Is 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
-
Video
Gordan Nikolitch plays the violin solo in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
In this performance at the 2011 BBC Proms, London Symphony Orchestra leader Gordan Nikolitch plays the violin solo part in the Sanctus from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. The LSO is conducted by Sir Colin Davis and joined by the London Philharmonic Choir and LSO Chorus, and Helena Junventen (soprano),Sarah Collonny (mezzo ...
-
News
Sharon Roffman appointed Royal Scottish National Orchestra leader
US violinist will share role at RSNO with current incumbent Maya Iwabuchi
-
News
Violinist Daniel Hope named artistic partner of the New Century Chamber Orchestra
The British musician begins his three-year appointment from the ensemble's 2017-18 season
-
Focus
Should string section bowings always be synchronised?
It is generally accepted that string sections should bow as a collective, but could this uniform approach sacrifice the composer's intended sound? Violist James Boyd argues in favour of greater freedom
-
Article
Sir Neville Marriner conducts Academy of St Martin in the Fields aged 90
Sir Neville Marriner conducts the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, which he founded in 1958, in the opening to Mozart's Piano Concerto no.20 for his 90th birthday in 2014.The British musician, who began his career as a violinist in the London Symphony Orchestra, has this week ...
-
Premium ❘ Focus
Faking it – the great unmentionable of orchestral playing
Given today's high standards of musicianship, you might think top orchestral string players can play anything, but there are times when the best they can do is give the impression of playing every note as written, as cellist Alice McVeigh discovers
-
Article
Violinist Julia Fischer and violist Gordan Nikolitch record Mozart
Violinist Julia Fischer and violist Gordan Nikolitch (normally a violinist) record Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra for their 2007 recording on PentaTone Classics. Julia Fischer and cellist Daniel Müller-Schott describe the demands and rewards of their duo partnership in The Strad’s October 2016 issue ...
-
Article
Strauss Tritsch-Tratsch Polka performed by double bass orchestra
The Brno Double Bass Orchestra performs an arrangement of Strauss's Tritsch-Tratsch Polka by Wells Cathedral School tutor David Heyes in 2009.Heyes writes about creating a resonant double bass tone in The Strad's July 2016 issue – download on desktop computer or through The Strad App.Read: Too few conductors ...
-
Article
Musicians respond to Brexit with Beethoven performance in London
The night after the UK's EU referendum, a group of musicians and singers from around Europe and the UK, who had never performed together before, played Beethoven's Ode To Joy live outside St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.Video © 2016 Apple and Biscuit RecordingsRead: Association of British Orchestras warns ...
-
Debate
Too few conductors understand their double bass section
Though the standard of double bass playing has risen exponentially during the past 50 years, conductors’ attitudes towards the instrument have barely changed
-
Article
Quebec violin students perform Star Wars theme with lightsaber bows
Students from the École de l'Harmonie in Quebec perform John Williams's Star Wars theme with lightsaber bows in December 2015. The bows were made using LEDs by violin teacher Philippe Amyot. 'Balancing the bows was hard work for the children because of the added weight,' he said.Watch: John ...
-
Article
Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra performs at Palmyra ruins in Syria
Valery Gergiev conducted the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in a concert at the ruins of Palmyra, Syria yesterday. The historic site was recaptured from the so-called Islamic State (IS) by Syrian forces backed by Russian air strikes in March.The orchestra performed works by Bach, Prokofiev and Shchedrin at Palmyra's ...
-
Gallery
3D-printed miniature orchestra at Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, US, has created the world's first, complete, 3D-printed miniature symphony orchestra. A number of musicians, mainly from London City Orchestra, were photographed by London studio my3Dtwin in a special 360-degree booth, with cameras arranged to capture every angle of the musician and his or ...
-
Blogs
I didn’t understand really good ensemble playing before joining the LSO, says violist Paul Silverthorne
As the London Symphony Orchestra’s long-serving viola principal prepares to leave for a new Chinese appointment, he speaks to Toby Deller about 25 wonderful years with the ensemble
-
Article
Aurora Orchestra performs Mozart's Symphony no.40 from memory
The UK orchestra best known for performing large orchestral works from memory perform Mozart's Symphony no.40 at the Royal Albert Hall for the 2015 BBC Proms
-
Article
Violinist Joshua Bell and London Symphony Orchestra change perceptions of sharks
The Discovery Channel’s Shark Week has traditionally played host to programmes designed to heighten the terrifying image of sharks. However, this year the channel has teamed with composer J. Ralph to create an original piece entitled ‘Theodora’ focusing on the majesty of these animals.Recorded at Abbey Road Studios ...