Janácek String Quartets
Original price was: £14.99.£9.99Current price is: £9.99.These are glowing performances. The Talich’s restrained, sympathetic playing makes this an uplifting and highly desirable CD. Erwin Schulhoff’s Quartet no.1 is a considerable bonus and the ending is pure enchantment.
Brahms Violin Sonatas
£9.99Vladimir Ashkenazy wrote: ‘Simon Fischer is a thoroughly accomplished violinist, a wonderful musician’. This CD introduces Simon Fischer’s playing to people who have known him purely as one of the leading violin teachers in the world.
Simon Fischer plays:
Scherzo from ‘F.A.E’ Sonata (Sonatensatz)
Sonata No. 1 in G, op. 78
Sonata No. 2 in A, op. 100
Sonata No. 3 in D minor, op. 108
Violin Heroes
£7.99Nine of today’s top violinists, including Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maxim Vengerov and Nikolaj Znaider, talk about the players who have most influenced them. Plus, articles from The Strad’s archive give an insight into the greatest players of the last century, including Heifetz, Menuhin, Kreisler and Ysaÿe.
Alfred Dubois and Marcel Maas
£6.99Alfred Dubois was one of the stars of the Franco-Belgian school of violinists. A pupil of Ysaÿe and best known today as Arthur Grumiaux’s teacher, he was also a soloist in his own right, as his fine records testify. These 1930s sonatas, recorded with his regular accompanist Marcel Maas, show his inimitable artistry and sonorous tone. A must for anyone interested in historic violin playing.
Over 68 minutes.
Rubbra Violin Concerto: Krysia Osostowicz
£5.99Krysia Osostowicz is on mesmerising form and wonderfully supported by Takuo Yuasa and the Ulster Orchestra. The recording’s alluring, autumnal glow fits the music like a glove. The disc opens with the violin Improvisation in which Osostowicz is the passionate pilgrim. This is followed by the Violin Concerto, which has the same dark concentration as the Improvisation.
September-2020
£4.99NICOLA BENEDETTI: The violinist’s Benedetti Sessions have proved stunningly popular for teacher and students alike. Peter Somerford finds out how they began, and where they might lead
August-2020
£4.99TWOSET VIOLIN: Kimon Daltas talks to Australian violinists Brett Yang and Eddy Chen, whose comedy videos have brought them millions of followers on YouTube
December-2009
£4.99Violinist Gil Shaham explains his passion for Sarasate, we find out how the Nazis plundered priceless instruments and there’s a look back at the career of David Oistrakh. We also assess some recently rediscovered etudes by Otakar Sevcik. Plus, interviews with Donald and Alisa Weilerstein and maker Mads Hjorth.
November-2009
£4.99Hollywood’s unsung heroes come under the spotlight as we search out the string players on some of the movies’ greatest soundtracks. David Finckek talks about health matters, Leonidas Kavakos discusses Alban Berg and Jan Vogler and Mira Wang take part in Double Acts. Plus a report on the Credo Festival.
October-2009
£4.99We investigate string allusions in Shakespeare’s plays and there’s an appreciation of 90-year-old concertmaster Michel Schwalbé. Arnold Steinhardt gives a touching farewell as the Guarneri Quartet disbands, and Ida Haendel remembers French violinist Ginette Niveu.
September-2009
£4.99In a teaching special, we investigate the optimum age to start learning, and why teaching all levels together pays dividends. We review the life of the late Chinese pedagogue Lin Yaoji and explore chamber music courses in the UK. Plus, Nathan Milstein, Levon Chilingirian and Mischa Maisky.
August-2009
£4.99The St Lawrence Quartet talks about combining high-jinks with high-quality playing, and viol expert Jordi Savall discusses his passion for Scottish and Irish folk music. We tell the stories of early Australian luthiers and there’s a Masterclass by top Gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos.
July-2009
£4.99A 1717 Rogeri cello comes under the spotlight and we explore the career of violinist Henryk Szeryng. There’s a look at recordings of Bloch’s Schelomo, a c.1770 violin by Paolo Castello and an investigation into Hindemith’s relationship with the viola. Plus, Simon Fischer on how to ‘warm down’.
June-2009
£4.99Gary Karr gives tips on playing by touch alone, and Joseph Curtin begins a two-part exploration into the acoustic tones of Italian instruments. We examine the dazzling technique of Jascha Heifetz, explore unusual repertoire for quintet, and look back at the career of Szymon Goldberg, ‘the man who put Mozart on the map’.
May-2009
£4.99Viktoria Mullova discusses playing on a Baroque violin and there’s a report on research into Stradivari’s varnish. Players discuss performing Haydn’s quartets and we ask how luthiers can market themselves successfully. Plus, a look at the violin-playing skills of super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
April-2009
£4.99We talk to British bassist Danny Thompson as he celebrates his 70th birthday, teachers discuss how prodigies should be tutored and we explore the stories of France’s unsung cello heroines. Kenneth Sillito discusses playing Dvorak’s Serenade and Roger Rose gives a guide to making a viol bridge.
March-2009
£4.99Yehudi Menuhin’s career comes under the spotlight and we report from the Eindhoven string competition. Steven Isserlis reveals his passion for Schumann, we hand on tips on buying an instrument and there’s a profile of the Sacconi Quartet. Plus, Peter Cropper discusses how to play Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata.
February-2009
£4.99We examine the 1715 ‘Titian’ Stradivari using the latest technological methods, celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth and investigate the history of the Cretan lyra. Plus, a report from the VSA Competition, advice on commissioning instruments and an interview with the Paris-based Calvet Quartet.
January-2009
£4.99In an issue themed around fresh perspectives, we examine carbon-fibre bows, electric violins and how new technology is being used to inspect old instruments. Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos reveals his plans and ambitions and we report from the Brno double bass competition.
An A-Z of Instrument Care by Jane Dorner (2nd Edition)
£4.99A first-aid manual and good-health guide for your most precious possession. This essential book for players of the violin family is the most convenient guide on the market.
Paperback. 64pp.
