Bill Evans

Violinist Israel Baker Collaborated with Classical Stars & Intoned Hollywood’s Movie Magic

By Sasha Margolis Few music-lovers today have heard of violinist Israel Baker. But nearly everyone has heard Baker’s glorious playing—whether they know it o... Read More...

Pirastro’s Latest Set of Strings for Double Bass Brings the Bounce

By Stephanie Powell Pirastro has released D-Bass Perpetual, a new set of strings for the double bass, designed with pizzicato in mind. The set was not creat... Read More...

A Case of Mistaken Identity

By Scott Flavin Some years ago, violinist Gil Shaham came to town to work with the New World Symphony (NWS), performing and giving classes. I had a student play... Read More...

These Pieces by Joseph Joachim Are Delightful Gems

By Mary Nemet Joseph Joachim: Fantasies on Irish and Hungarian Themes for Violin & Orchestra (Piano reduction) Bärenreiter, €26.95 The creations of a famous... Read More...

The San Francisco Symphony & Metallica Celebrate 20 Years Since Their Groundbreaking Album Collaboration ‘S&M’

By David Templeton For certain San Francisco string musicians, it’s time to order some brand-new earplugs and practice throwing one-handed “devil-horn signs... Read More...

5 Tips on Negotiating the College Practice-Space Conundrum

By Miranda Wilson Practice. Ever since our teachers taught us to sing “Doctor! Suzuki! Says never! Be lazy! But practice! And practice! Until you! Go crazy!... Read More...

Violist Da Gamba Hille Perl on Her Instruments’ Venerable Beauty

By Cristina Schreil German viola da gamba player Hille Perl grew up in a family of musicians. When she was five, while at a concert (a regular outing for th... Read More...

Professionals String Players Describe Their Careers & How They Found Their Way to the Stage

This fall, a new flood of string players will rush into the halls of music departments and conservatories the world over. Many of these new students will be dr... Read More...

In Carbon-Fiber Instruments, the Weave Helps Customize Sound

There have been many innovations applied to these carbon-fiber musical instruments over the years to help shape the sound, including the weave of the material itself.

Violinist Lisa Grodin: How I Almost Earned My Artistic License

By Lisa Grodin When I was a young violinist, I assumed that “artistic license” was a permit for which one could apply—just like a driver’s license or an ID ... Read More...