July-2016
Chamber music tutor Tim Frederiksen discusses putting together string quartets and we examine the history of violin making in Amsterdam. Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis discuss their latest collaboration, and there’s an In Focus on a Stradivari cello. Plus bassist Dan Styffe on Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel.
December-2017
Buy the December 2017 issue of The Strad. Includes focus on Stradivari's final years and the turbulent social and political times in Cremona from 1702 to 1737.
Plus Renaud Capuçon on teaching; Steven Isserlis’ trench cello; double bassist Barry Guy; Dragonetti’s Gasparo da Salò bass and its seismic effect on English luthiery; Trondheim Chamber Music Festival; an 1856 violin by Giuseppe Rocca; luthiers David Finck and Eric Benning; exercises to release tension and improve movement; Daniel Müller-Schott on Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto
May-2018
June-2018
We complete our analysis of the ‘Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri, with Anne Akiko Meyers’ views on playing the priceless violin. There’s a look at the pitfalls of playing outdoors, we go in search of Stradivari’s ‘lost’ mould, and Kyung Wha Chung gives her Life Lessons.
Plus Accessories 2018: your guide to strings, bridges, rosin, pickups, and much more.
March-2019
October-2019
Raphael Wallfisch marks the centenary of Elgar's Cello Concerto with the story of the work's composition, premiere and subsequent interpretations. Plus we speak to the Kuss Quartet about performing Beethoven on the 'Paganini' set of Stradivaris, and investigate how instrument set-up can affect sound.
November-2019
August-2020
September-2020
January 2024
We examine the 1713 ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ violin by Antonio Stradivari and chat to young virtuoso cellist Zlatomir Fung. There’s a look at how Maud Powell championed the Sibelius Violin Concerto in the US, and Carolin Widmann reveals her Life Lessons. Plus a Mozart Masterclass with Dmitry Sitkovetsky
Read more in The Strad
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.
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.
The Strad Calendar 2017
The Strad's 2017 calendar pays tribute to the conservatoires, music schools and academies that provide the backbone and ensure the future of the great classical music tradition. Twelve instruments, including examples by Antonio Stradivari, the Brothers Amati and Pietro Guarneri of Mantua are featured, along with some surprises – such as a 19th-century church bass by American luthier Abraham Prescott. This calendar will be essential for students, teachers and anyone with an interest in beautiful stringed instruments.
Full list of featured instruments
- 1629 Brothers Amati violin
- 1679 Nicolò Amati violin
- 1685 Antonio Stradivari violino piccolo
- 1700 Antonio Stradivari ‘Stauffer’ cello
- 1709 Antonio Stradivari ‘Hochschule Berlin, Marteau’ violin
- 1709 Antonio Stradivari ‘Viotti, ex-Bruce’ violin
- 1714 Antonio Stradivari ‘Joachim–Ma’ violin
- 1714 Pietro Guarneri of Mantua violin
- 1716 Antonio Stradivari ‘Provigny’ violin
- 1726 Antonio Stradivari ‘Marquis de Corboron’ cello
- 1736 Antonio Stradivari ‘Belle Skinner’ violin
- c.1809–20 Abraham Prescott church bass
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