September-2015
Violinist Nicola Benedetti discusses her work with young players in our education special, while recent competition winners discuss their practice methods. We look back at the life and teaching style of luthier Peter Paul Prier, and Roby Lakatos gives a guide to gypsy fiddling. Plus Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson on the Brahms ‘Double’
August-2015
We talk to Itzhak Perlman, 70 this month, and investigate the story of America’s first female violin maker. Lynn Harrell gives a guide to resonant cello sound, and Rachel Barton Pine explains why Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto is her ‘good friend’. Plus a Masterclass on Brahms’s Viola Sonata and a tribute to Lindsay Quartet co-founder Peter Cropper.
June-2015
We talk to the Carducci Quartet about its upcoming Shostakovich quartet cycle, and examine the career of Gregor Piatigorsky. There’s a report on how acting techniques can benefit string players, and the second of two articles on the Andrea Amati ‘King’ cello. Plus Hilary Hahn on Vieuxtemps, Christian Tetzlaff on Beethoven, and a celebration of Leopold Auer’s life and career.
April-2015
Simon Rattle discusses the Berlin Philharmonic’s characteristic string sound in a German speical, which also includes articles on cellist Anja Thauer and the development of instruments in Markneukirchen. Alban Gerhardt discusses playing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, Tabea Zimmermann gives a Masterclass on Hindemith and there’s a guide to double bass bowing from Jeff Bradetich. Plus Sarah Chang’s practice diary.
January-2015
December-2014
We interview Korean violinist Kyung Wha Chung and examine a 1767 violin by José Contreras, described by some as ‘the Spanish Stradivari’. Russian pedagogue Maya Glezarova recalls her 70 years of teaching, and Augustin Dumay and Louis Lortie reflect on performing as a duo. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass with 14 audio examples
October-2014
A Girolamo Amati contralto viola reveals its secrets in an extensive study, and we talk to US quartet Brooklyn Rider about its latest multidisciplinary project. We examine the legacy of French violinist–composer Jean-Marie Leclair and there’s a Masterclass on Rimsky-Korsakov. Plus mutes, chin rests, violin cases and carbon-fibre bows in Accessories 2014.
September-2014
In our special education issue, some of today’s top string players and teachers recall the tutors who made the biggest impression on them. We explore a youth education scheme in London, the Bologna school of violin making, and how to deal with unruly kids. Plus, Leon Bosch on Dittersdorf’s Second Double Bass Concerto
August-2014
We mark the centenary of the First World War’s outbreak with an issue on music and conflict, exploring string works about war, soldiers’ instruments, and the work of Musicians without Borders. Plus Tamsin Waley-Cohen’s Practice Diary, the Henschel Quartet on Schulhoff, and taking care of instruments in summer.
July-2014
Latvian violinist Baiba Skride discusses her love of modern repertoire and Didier Lockwood talks about his genre-hopping career. We talk to artists including Natalie Clein, Daniel Hope and Rachel Barton Pine about premiering new works, and explore the world of commissioning instruments. Plus Gary Karr on the plight of orchestral bassists.
June-2014
We examine a 1774 Guadagnini violin that has survived in almost pristine condition, and talk to string players who have set up their own festivals. Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow recalls his time at the New York Philharmonic, and orchestra principals discuss the works of Strauss. Plus Leonidas Kavakos gives a Masterclass on the Brahms Violin Concerto
April-2014
The late cellist János Starker receives an eight-page tribute, with exclusive photo galleries and memories from friends and colleagues. Fiddler Sam Sweeney gives a Masterclass on the English folk style, complete with videos, and we investigate career development in the orchestral world. Plus, in-depth interviews with the Arditti Quartet and Neville Marriner
February-2014
The double bass takes centre stage, as we interview six of today’s top young bassists and investigate teaching, making, and travelling with a bass. There’s a Masterclass from Dan Styffe, Joel Quarrington’s practice diary, François Rabbath on the things that inspire him, and a report on the state of the international double bass market. Plus an interview with veteran bassist Barbara Sanderling
January-2014
Cellist Zoë Keating explains how her success as a DIY musician in an issue with a ‘fresh thinking’ theme. We report on ensembles with alternative repoertoire such as the Silk Road Ensemble and discover why luthiers have started creating their own exhibitions. Plus Gary Hoffman on Brahms, David Harrington on teaching new music, and Summerplus, our annual guide to short string courses worldwide.
December-2013
Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter talks about reaching out to the next generation of classical music lovers, and we report on the downfall of disgraced violin dealer Dietmar Machold. Top viola players discuss playing Hindemith and there’s a tribute to the late US luthier Carl F. Becker. Plus, Mihaela Martin on Enescu, Simon Fischer on bowing and a report on lutherie in Afghanistan.
November-2013
Joshua Bell is on the cover of our North America-focused issue, which contains a detailed examination of his 1713 ‘Huberman’ Stradivari. We explore San Francisco’s chamber music scene, look back on the varied career of Harry Lookofsky, and report on the Banff string quartet competition. Plus, musicians discuss Britten’s string works and Tim Kliphuis gives tips on playing like Stéphane Grappelli.
October-2013
Jacques Thibaud, Fritz Kreisler and Pablo Casals adorn the cover of a special issue celebrating the great players of the past. It includes guest editor Steven Isserlis on Thibaud, Ivry Gitlis on Enescu and Gary Karr on Koussevitsky. Bonnie Hampton and Arnold Steinhardt recall their lessons with Casals and Szigeti respectively, and we look back on some of the 20th century’s lesser-known string stars.
September-2013
Violist and pedagogue Bruno Giuranna heads up an issue focused on teaching, in which we investigate the tuition of string quartets, the value of apprenticeships, and methods of teacher-training. Jean-Guihen Queyras gives a guide to Elgar’s Cello Concerto, there’s a practice diary from bassist Waldemar Schwiertz and Zakhar Bron lists his favourite things.
August-2013
US violist David Aaron Carpenter explains how he’s using star power to broaden the appeal of his instrument. We report on a Chinese music education programme inspired by El Sistema and look back at the life of Albert Spalding, one of the top violinists of his day. Plus, James Ehnes talks about Prokofiev and we appraise a 1658 Nicolò Amati violin.
June-2013
Raphael Wallfisch: the pragmatic cellist with a penchant for new works Vuillaume cello: the 1865 ‘Sheremetev’, one of the maker’s finest works Joseph Hague: we uncover the man behind a mysterious set of recordings Group teaching: different methods for injecting energy into rehearsasls Plus: a guide to antiquing instruments, a Masterclass on Britten, and a preview of the Stradivari exhibition at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum
April-2013
Violinist Christian Tetzlaff is the cover star of our German-themed issue, and we have ten copies of his latest CD to give away. We find out how to play the ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata like a Beethoven-era player and ask whether there is still a ‘German’ orchestral sound. Plus, musical insights from violist Nils Mönkemeyer, klezmer player Alicia Svigals and cello teacher Hans Rabus.
March-2013
We talk to the Calder Quartet, a foursome equally at home performing with punk bands as on the concert stage. Pedagogue Mimi Zweig advises on children’s first violin lessons, and Roger Hargrave concludes his look at the evolution of Baroque instruments. We also ask the question: should musicians ever perform for free?
