Nathaniel Robinson’s Magical Connection With a Felice Guadagnini Violin
When Nathaniel Robinson opens his case, a Felice Guadagnini (grandson of G.B.) violin is waiting there. But he almost missed out on this once-in-a-lifetime instrument.
INSTRUMENTS, BOWS, & GEAR
REVIEWS
Violinist Randall Goosby’s Debut Album ‘Roots’ Reignites Interest in Forgotten Works
For inspiration on his debut album, violinist Randall Goosby turned to his ancestors while offering a nod to the future. The result is the impressive Roots (Decca).
Sheet Music Review: Jean-Louis Duport’s 21 Études for Cello are a Staple of Cello Pedagogical Repertoire
Duport’s études are a staple of cello pedagogical repertoire, focusing on bowing and fingering technique. This edition also offers the original second cello part.
Sheet Music Review: Richard Strauss’ Sonata for Cello and Piano in F Major, Op. 6
In Richard Strauss' Sonata for Cello and Piano in F Major, Op. 6, Henle has once again produced a meticulous edition.
HOW TO
These stories offer advice, instruction, tips, and tricks to help you grow as a string player.
3 Ways Alt Styles Can Revive Your String Program
Feel like you’re in a rut in the classroom? Break out with these three strategiesBy Renata BrattSometimes teachers rely on th... Read More...
ESSENTIAL HISTORICAL RECORDINGS
Essential Historical Recordings: The Tragically Short Lives of Gifted Violin Stars Hassid, Renardy, & Sitkovetsky
By Sasha MargolisWhen the thirty-year-old violinist Ginette Neveu perished in a plane crash in 1949, the music world experienced a deep... Read More...
Essential Historical Recordings: The Fearless Playing of Violinst Ivry Gitlis
His playing is instantly recognizable for its rhythmic freedom, its heightened emotional engagement, and especially its extraordinary palette of colors.
LATEST STORIES
An Educator’s Guide to Teaching the Music of Underrepresented Composers
Educators are beginning to conserve, understand, & teach the underrepresented music and musicians beyond what classical musicians have traditionally been taught.
Gewa’s Air Luthier Cases Were Designed in Collaboration With Violin Makers
Gewa's Air Luthier cases. designed in collaboration with violin makers, are made in Germany and available only through luthiers.
After 17 Years in the Pacifica Quartet, Violist Masumi Rostad Records a Passionate Solo Album in Lockdown
With his debut solo album, former Pacifica Quartet violist Masumi Rostad assembled a balanced collection of meaningful pieces to traverse the full range of the instrument.
Luthier Rozie Deloach Draws Out the Stories of the Violin-Making World
Luthier Rozie DeLoach not only repairs stringed instruments and bows, but she brings their stories to life as co-host of the popular Omo podcast.
How Barnabás Kelemen and Nicholas Kitchen Use iPads to Gain Deeper Insight Into the Music in Their String Quartets
Barnabás Kelemen, of the Kelemen Quartet, and Nicholas Kitchen, of the Borromeo Quartet, detail how their use of iPads allows them to always use full scores.
Covid-19 Required Flexibility in String Education—and It’s Leaving New Teaching Tools in Its Wake
When Covid is over, will we return to the “old normal” in music education, or will teachers choose to keep some of the new tech skills we learned along the way?
6 Tips for Left-Hand Flexibility in the Violin and Viola
By Laurence VittesThere was a time not so long when pain seemed to go hand-in-hand with left-hand flexibility on the violin and viola. ... Read More...
Idagio’s ‘Live Compare’ Technology Makes Comparative Listening a Breeze
Idagio’s Live Compare technology switches seamlessly between different recordings of a work as the music continues to play uninterrupted.
Orchestras Planning Tech-Savvy Seasons Using What They’ve Learned During Covid
By Laurence Vittes | From the September-October 2021 issue of Strings magazineWhile orchestras of all sizes are framing their return to... Read More...
How to Learn Violin Finger Positions for Beginners
BY LAURENCE VITTESYou've got your instrument, it's in tune, and you're ready to start playing the violin, but what are the correct fing... Read More...
Violinist Kenneth Gordon Recounts an Extraordinary Musical Existence
Kenneth Gordon's long life as a classical musician includes a stint with the U.S. military’s entertainment branch and 46 years with the New York Philharmonic.
Leon Kirchner’s ‘Duo No. 2’ Shows the Composer’s Unfailing Vitality
Kirchner was 83 when he wrote the Duo No. 2 in 2002. He considered its completion proof that he still was capable of producing works of great vitality.
A Refresher on Bold Martelé Bowing Technique
Martelé bowing is remarkably useful as a teaching tool, specifically for bow-hand strength & balance, & for development of accurate direction in the bow arm.
How to Find the Best Shoulder Rest for Your Violin
There is no magic shoulder rest that will make you a better player, but here's how to find the right violin shoulder rest and ensure it’s fitted correctly.
CodaBow’s New Chroma Experience Makes Everything Custom
The company’s new Chroma experience is meant to give violinists, violists, and cellists the chance to customize their own bows as a reflection of their technique & style
How Violinists Use Technology to Explore New Sounds
Violinists have been experimenting with technology, including electric violinist, for decades, if not longer, in their search for new sounds.
How Moonlighting Classical Musicians Contributed to Motown, R&B, Pop, and Rock Music History
String players helped shape the sound of pop music from Motown & beyond, while establishing a blueprint for orchestral arrangements that is followed to this day.