Culture
The Strad
Recital For The Ages
Jascha Heifetz made his US debut a hundred years ago. The 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.
9 min |
November 2017
The Strad
I Have To Appraise You Like I should
I have to appraise you like I should With the value of top-end instruments skyrocketing, should violin appraisers require a qualification to demonstrate their expertise? Insurers, dealers and experts all give their views
4 min |
November 2017
The Strad
Turkish Delights
Fewer than 20 years after its foundation, the Borusan Istanbul Symphony Orchestra is taking its place on the world stage. Tom Stewart finds out more as the ensemble – and two top soloists – prepare for a new season and a European tour
5 min |
January 2018
The Strad
A Landmark Celebration
Running from 8 to 29 October, the Beijing Music Festival celebrated its 20-year milestone in 2017. Nancy Pellegrini looks at two of the event’s highlights: the ten-hour orchestral marathon and violinist Maxim Vengerov’s world premiere
5 min |
January 2018
The Strad
Dual Inspiration
Cellist Sol Gabetta recalls the genesis of her new recording, a collaboration with mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli – and how their disparate talents played offeach other
5 min |
January 2018
The Strad
Jean-Guihen Queyras
For the French cellist, Haydn’s Concerto no.1 in C major brings back fond memories of an early tutor and a precious Rogeri cello
3 min |
January 2018
The Strad
Freedom Of Expression
In the run-up to Germany's federal election in September, freelance music teachers are campaigning to be treated the same way as full-time professors - but the drive for recognition is proving a struggle.
4 min |
April 2017
The Strad
‘Solo Playing Is Essential To The Identity Of The Section'
For berlin philharmonic first principal bassist matthew McDonald, the search to find his voice as a player has been inextricably entwined with the sound of the orchestra and its emphasis on individualistic playing. In converstion with Chole Cutts, he discusses the elusive processes behind his approach to his instrument.
9 min |
April 2017
The Strad
Adventures in Repertoire
Three decades as artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra have taught Richard Tognetti that necessity is the mother of invention, and invention is essential to the health of classical music. Chloe Cutts meets the Antipodean violinist in Sydney to talk commissions, modern string playing and the survival of contemporary repertoire
9 min |
March 2017
The Strad
Luthier ​​​​​​​Borja Bernabeu
I ’ve been based in Cremona for almost 20 years; I came for a visit and just stayed on.
1 min |
March 2017
The Strad
Mutual Understanding
A competition where the participants judge each other’s instruments makes for a lively, engaging atmosphere. Jan Špidlen, co-organiser of the International Violin Making Competition Prague, reports.
5 min |
September 2017
The Strad
From The Ground Up
Since time immemorial, makers have searched for the perfect varnish recipe, and take great care of the ground – but often fail to realise the importance of preparing the wood first. Christopher Jacoby gives a crash course in ‘ground prep’
5 min |
September 2017
The Strad
A Haven in the Heartland
In the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet regime dealt a crippling blow to lutherie in Bohemia and eastern Germany. Richard Ward describes how Bubenreuth in northern Bavaria became a refuge for violin makers – and a hotbed of production.
9 min |
April 2017
The Strad
Fear No More
Schoenberg’s string quartets – and his music in general – have a reputation for being feared and unfathomable, but, as Philip Clark reveals, this music has been celebrated in two recent recordings, each of which has taken a different historic cycle as its benchmark.
9 min |
April 2017
The Strad
James Ehnes Discusses His Recording Of The Walton Viola Concerto
With the BBC Symphony Orchestra Under Edward Gardner
4 min |
September 2017
The Strad
Heart Of The Matter
Dorothy DeLay brought compassion, humour and rigorous practice to her lessons during five decades that saw her teach two generations of string players. One hundred years after DeLay was born, Laurie Niles talks to Itzhak Perlman and other former students and assistants about her singular teaching style
10+ min |
September 2017
The Strad
My Space
A peek into lutherie workshops around the world.
1 min |
September 2017
The Strad
Renaud Garcia-Fons
The Sarabande from Bach’s Fifth Cello Suite has a deeply personal resonance for the French bassist and composer – even though he’s never performed it in public
3 min |
September 2017
The Strad
The Road To New York
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 encouraged by his ‘tiger mom’
8 min |
November 2017
The Strad
From Out Of The Dark
The 1732 ‘Armingaud, Fernández Blanco’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ is an excellent example of the maker’s late period. Frédéric Chaudière examines the instrument and tells the dramatic story of its rediscovery
8 min |
November 2017
The Strad
Patricia Kopatchinskaja Awarded CHF100,000 Swiss Music Prize
Moldovan-born Swiss violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja has been awarded the Grand Prix Suisse de Musique.
1 min |
November 2017
The Strad
Natalie Clein
For the british cellist, Schubert's profound string quintet in C major D956 is filled with undiscovered secrets that can take a lifetime to unravel.
3 min |