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.
October-2009
September-2009
August-2009
July-2009
A 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
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
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.
A Voice in the Dark, The Philharmonia Years by Alexander Kok
French Cello Sonatas 1871-1939 by Steven Sensbach
Steven Sensbach has compiled a treasure trove for cellists and anyone interested in French cultural life. Setting the works in their cultural and historial context, he unearths many forgotten gems – 37 of the more than 130 sonatas discussed are unpublished – while shedding new light on repertoire works. Scholarly yet practical, Sensbach uses his knowledge as a cellist to offer performance tips and give his own recommendations.
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: The Lilliput Press (March 31, 2001)
Varnishes and Very Curious Secrets: Cremona 1747, ed. Vincenzo Gheroldi
This study is based on a collection of varnish recipes in an 18th-century manuscript in a Milan library. Based on this manuscript, Gheroldi, Stefania Vitale and Luciano Colombo provide the cultural background to the amateurs who wrote artistic recipe books and their preferences and technical skills in preparing varnishes for paintings, as well as 'Chinese varnishes' and varnishes for miniature paintings. Two further essays deal with 18th-century varnishes for violin making and restoration.
This is a fascinating document for understanding the techniques of the 'Golden Age' of Cremonese instruments, and to further experimentation for contemporary violin makers.
Paperback in hard box. 251pp; text in English and Italian.
