September-2011
In a special edition on teaching, we talk to psychologists and string instructors about how students react to words of feedback, encouragement and criticism. Cello pedagogue Aldo Perisot talks to his former student, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Thomas Kemp analyses Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht. Plus a look at a groundbreaking instrument scheme in South Africa.
August-2011
July-2011
This month’s issue features a detailed analysis of the ‘Plowden’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin, an interview with double bass pedagogue Evgeny Kolosov, an essay on the career of US violinist Maud Powell, tips on coping with desk partners, and interviews with Benjamin Hughes and Charles Mutter from the BBC Concert Orchestra.
June-2011
In our Benelux special, Dutch violinist Janine Jansen discusses her return to performing after an enforced break, there’s a focus on the string scene in Luxembourg and an examination of the Belgian string playing school. Mischa Elman is the subject of our Great Violinists feature, and William Conway advises on achieving balance in Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet.
May-2011
Violist and pedagogue Kim Kashkashian kicks off our viola special, in which we consider why this century is proving to be a halcyon era for the instrument. Steve Reich and David Harrington consider their myriad collaborations, there’s a focus on great violinist Jelly d’Arányi, and Peter Cropper hands on tips for playing Mozart’s K526 violin sonata.
April-2011
In our special focus on Germany, cellist Alban Gerhardt discusses Casals, fellow players and allowing imperfection. We look back at the career of violinist Georg Kulenkampff, and investigate lutherie in Markneukirchen. Igor Oistrakh recalls his past career as he reaches his 80th birthday, and John Goldsby explains how to interpret Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm.
March-2011
Stradivari’s ‘Messiah’, one of the most revered instruments ever made, gets a full appraisal including dendrochronological analysis. Fabio Biondi discusses Baroque performance and we examine the legacy of Czech violinist Jan Kubelík. Plus, interviews with Harrison Birtwistle, Christian Tetzlaff, Baiba and Lauma Skride, Philip Dukes and Lesley Robertson, as well as Daniel Hope’s practice diary.
February-2011
Violinist Lisa Batiashvili discusses her empathy with Shostakovich’s music and we discover what happens when top instruments are stolen. We also visit the Amsterdam Cello Biennale, explore the history of gut strings and appraise the career of Russian pedagogue Yuri Yankelevich. Plus, Norman Lebrecht asks whether concertmasters have lost their punch.
January-2011
December-2010
In an issue themed around the question of ‘Real or fake’, we speak to Dutch violinist André Rieu and consider his impact on the world of popular classics. Experts talk about spotting a fake Stradivari and we investigate the fake Baroque works written by modern composers. Plus, interviews with Jack Liebeck, Christian Ferras and Sheila Nelson.
November-2010
Jascha Heifetz is the cover star of our North America-themed issue, in which we examine his career Stateside. We ask whether there’s such a thing as an American string sound and talk to visionary quartet Ethel. Plus, Joseph Curtin on the ‘Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, and luthier Carl Becker’s favourite things.
October-2010
September-2010
We investigate the success of Venezuela’s El Sistema education programme in an education-themed edition, which also examines how conservatoires are catering for jazz students and asks luthiers how they entered their profession. There’s a look at the legacy of Russian pedagogue Nelli Shkolnikova and Orin O’Brien describes exercises for the double bass.
August-2010
In a Spanish-themed issue, we talk to the Casals Quartet and celebrate the career of violinist Pablo de Sarasate. Ara Malikian presents a guide to flamenco violin and three experts give their perspectives on Spanish lutherie. Plus, an investigation into musicians’ use of beta-blockers – are they destroying string playing?
July-2010
John Dilworth gives a personal guide to identifying violins and Carlo Chiesa examines the spectacular 1736 ‘Cessole’, ‘Teja–Ferni’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’. We find out the best and worst airlines for travelling with instruments and bassist Gary Karr explains how to improve your technique by varying tempo. There’s also an interview with violinist Leila Josefowicz.
June-2010
Cellist Natalie Clein discusses Kodály, crossover and her musical ambitions, and we explore the treasures of Korea’s celebrated Chi-Mei collection. Levon Chilingirian talks about teaching in Venezuela, John Goldsby gives a Masterclass in jazz bass, and string stars analyse the fragile beauty of Schumann.
May-2010
In a special edition marking The Strad’s 120th anniversary, we look back at the origins of the magazine, profile Nicolò Paganini and trace the history of research using Stradivari’s ‘Betts’ violin. Plus, articles on top female soloists of yesteryear, Ruggiero Ricci’s tips on playing, and Ida Haendel on Bach’s Chaconne in D minor.
April-2010
The Artemis Quartet discuss Beethoven and the benefits of standing up to perform, and we examine how Rostropovich may have influenced Prokofiev. There’s a retrospective of Leonid Kogan’s career, and a Masterclass on Strauss’s Don Quixote. Plus, the results of a seven-year study into Stradivari’s varnish.
March-2010
We examine a tenor viola by Jacob Stainer that reveals his attention to detail and Italian influences. There are articles on violin concertos by Beethoven and Barber, interviews with Antoine Tamestit, Laurence Lesser and Nicholas Tzavaras, and Daniel Bernard Roumain gives tips on rock and hip-hop violin technique.
February-2010
We celebrate Ole Bull’s bicentenary by looking back at the Norwegian violinist’s career, and taking a detailed look at his famed ‘Del Gesù’. There’s a guide to buying tonewood, David Waterman discusses Schubert, and François Denis reveals the connections between violin arching and medieval architecture.
January-2010
December-2009
Violinist 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
Hollywood’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.
