September-2009
August-2009
July-2009
June-2009
Gary 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
April-2009
March-2009
Yehudi 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
We 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
Andrea Amati ‘King’ cello poster
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G.B. Guadagnini 1774 Salabue Berta Violin poster
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Pietro Giacomo Rogeri cello 1717 poster
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‘Viotti’ Antonio Stradivari violin 1709 poster
One of the top Stradivari violins in the world, the 1709 'Viotti' helped to establish the master's name – thanks to its illustrious owner. The powerful tone and brilliance of sound created by this exceptional combination of instrument and performer (G.B. Viotti) helped to create the Stradivari legend. Includes measurements
‘The whole instrument seems to have been designed to be light, to exploit the minimum mass of wood in the plates and ribs which could support a low but characteristically stiff arching. The arching is full and seems undistorted and extremely regular. The front is delicately worked with a reverse gradation of 2.5–3mm around the perimeter reducing to 2mm in the centre. Yet still the arching is firm, with no sign of collapse around the fs or excessive pressure from the soundpost.’ – John Dilworth in the March 2006 issue
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Celebrating Slava
This 4 CD set features 27 works that are dedicated to Rostropovich or that he composed, initiated or premiered. The pieces are played by his friends and companions: Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky, Natalia Gutman, Lynn Harrell, Miklós Perényi and many others.
Works included are by Leonard Bernstein, Benjamin Britten, Claude Debussy, Henri Dutilleux, Hans-Werner Henze, Romualds Kalsons, Witold Lutoslawski, Nikolai Miaskovsky, Astor Piazzolla, Sergei Prokofiev, Yuri Schaporin, Alfred Schnittke and Sir William Walton and two world premieres of works by Rodion Shchedrin and Giya Kancheli.
Janácek String Quartets
Basics by Simon Fischer
Basics is a collection of practice methods and exercises for violin and viola players of all standards, from concert soloists to students. Based on Simon Fischer's monthly series in The Strad, Basics makes it possible to work directly on any aspect of technique. Simon Fischer, performer and teacher, studied the violin in London with Yfrah Neaman and in New York with Dorothy DeLay.
Paperback. 231pp; illustrations.
An A-Z of Instrument Care by Jane Dorner (2nd Edition)
Alfred Dubois and Marcel Maas
Alfred 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.
Brahms Violin Sonatas
Vladimir 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
Rubbra Violin Concerto: Krysia Osostowicz
Krysia 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.
Matteo Gofriller violin 1700 poster
A classic example of the great Venetian's work: his own pattern with glorious varnish and individual wood selection. Includes measurements
'The violin's hollowed edge is characteristic and the purfling is swept across the corner in Stradivari fashion. The f-holes are typical of the Cremona-influenced Tyrolean makers – based on the Brothers Amati but wider and upright in stance. Over the wood Gofriller laid the most supple varnish, which often seems to have no substance at all but is steeped into the wood, turning it a deep burgundy colour. Beneath the dark patina there is a slight rose-madder tint to the red.' – John Dilworth in the December 2000 issue of The Strad
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‘De Munck’ Stradivari cello 1730 poster
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G.B. Guadagnini viola 1785 poster
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