Jonathan Moerschel’s 1590 Gasparo da Salò Viola Is a Big Instrument With a Big Sound
Moerschel plays on the “ex-Adam” Gasparo da Salò viola (Brescia) made around 1590, on loan from the Stradivari Society.
INSTRUMENTS, BOWS, & GEAR
REVIEWS
Sphinx Competition Winner Randall Goosby Pairs Price and Bruch on New Album
This recording of the Bruch with the Philadelphia Orchestra and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin packs an own emotional wallop
Cellist Jeffrey Zeigler’s ‘Slow Beethoven’ Turns a 7-Minute Quartet into a 44-Minute ‘Time Warp’
The performance was recorded live, filtered through an abandoned 600,000-gallon water tank
Sheet Music Review: ‘Lili Boulanger: Complete Violin Works’ Showcases Her Enchanting Compositions
Despite her short career, she found her own voice in music, exemplified in these four short, expressive works
HOW TO
These stories offer advice, instruction, tips, and tricks to help you grow as a string player.
6 Simple Ways to Improve Your Viola Tone Production
The secret to that dark, seductive tone sought by all violists can be found in mastering basic skills, along with checking the setup of the viola.
ESSENTIAL HISTORICAL RECORDINGS
Essential Historical Recordings: Cellist Paul Tortelier’s Magnetic Performances
Blessed with subtle and spontaneous rhythmic instincts, he was also committed to the idea that performance should be a theatrical endeavor.
Essential Historical Recordings: Violinist Szymon Goldberg Escaped Nazi Germany to Forge a Long, Fruitful Career
He eschewed extravagance and obviousness in his playing. But for the attentive listener, his art was full of energy, drama and sheer brilliance of musical conception.
LATEST STORIES
Some Common Misconceptions About Harmonics and 6 Tips for Playing Them Better
By understanding how they are produced and following a few guidelines, string players can master this expressive technique
Bassist Joseph Conyers Is Helping Build the Next Generation of Change Makers Through Music with Project 440
Project 440 is unlike other music programs in that it does not focus on teaching students to become better musicians so much as to become better members of their communities
The Section Quartet’s Eric Gorfain Has Spun a Classical Music Education Into an Eclectic Recording Career, from Dr. Dre to Def Leppard
The violinist has arranged for rock bands, singer-songwriters, and rap/soul artists and producers
Remaking the Maestro: As Classical Music Organizations Look to Fill Podiums, They’re Revising Their Priorities
'Music directors will need to be full strategic leaders'
The Spirit of the RMS Titanic: And the Band Played On
More than 100 years after the sinking of the Titanic, the book "The Band That Played On" examines the healing power of music.
For Period Instrument Ensembles, the Last 50 Years Have Been Golden
Since the 1970s many groups have become well established around the world, and playing standards continue to rise
After Arts Organization Hosts Events and Makes Connections Within the Music Community
The community is comprised of like-minded individuals, professionals trained in music and who love it but are currently working in other fields.
Ten Pieces of Essential Advice for Young Musicians
Sometimes the most important lessons have nothing to do with the navigation of the fingerboard or maneuvers of the right hand
The String Teacher’s Guide to Remote Studio Teaching
Here's what you need to get started to make teaching virtually both easy and cost-effective
Violinist Joe Deninzon on Joining Classic Progressive Rock Band Kansas
Deninzon grew up dreaming of playing "Dust in the Wind" onstage with the band—now he does regularly as a member of the group
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.
Cemeteries Across the Country Are Embracing New Roles as Performance Venues
Cemetery leaders have turned to cultural events as they aim to drum up awareness, ward off potential vandals, and support the upkeep of their lawns and aging monuments
Picture Perfect: When Communicating Musical Ideas and Cello Technique, a Little Imagery Goes a Long Way
Many of today's pedagogues are taking creative approaches to teaching—and playing—the cello, inspiring future generations to unleash their imaginations as well.
yMusic Evolves from a Backup Chamber Band to a Composing Dream Team
After years of collaborations, yMusic's first album of music composed entirely by the members of the ensemble stands as one of the most exciting and confident chamber music releases of the year
Hanneke Cassel Shines with ‘Infinite Brightness’
Cassel has fused Scottish fiddle with the styles of Cape Breton Island, the Isle of Skye, and America’s Appalachia region