Bill Evans

Black Violin Launches a New Album, a Worldwide Tour & One Very Big Message

By David Templeton “We can play songs that make you move, and we can play songs that make you cry, and all of that is great,” says violinist Kev Marcus (the... Read More...

Review: Saint-Saëns’ Natural Talent for Writing String Quartets & More

By Mary Nemet Camille Saint-Saëns: String Quartets, No. 1 in G, Op. 112, and No. 2 in E minor, Op. 153 Bärenreiter, €29.95 Popularly known for his... Read More...

Luthier Steffen Nowak Contemplates the Varnishing Process

What’s your favorite part of the process of making an instrument—what day do you most look forward to? After more than 30 years as a professional violin mak... Read More...

Political Turmoil & Personal Tragedy Inform Composer Qigang Chen’s Emotional New Violin Concerto

By Greg Cahill Over the years, Qigang Chen has composed numerous works—from symphonies and chamber pieces to film scores and songs—to become one of China’s ... Read More...

Keeping Your University-Loaned Instrument From Harm

By Emily Wright Picture this: an undergraduate student, standing in a busy city center on a sweltering day. In one hand, a duffel bag. In the other, a phone... Read More...

A Student’s Tribute to Cellist Anner Bylsma

By Guy Fishman When I began my studies with cellist Anner Bylsma, who died on July 25 at age 85, I arrived carrying his book, Bach, the Fencing Master, whic... Read More...

Violist Su Zhen served as a judge at the Fourth China International Violin and Bow Making Competition

The State of Chinese Violin Making, From Past to Present

China’s emergence in the top tier of violin-making countries in recent years is difficult to ignore.

Tips on Nailing Tricky Double-Stops in Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto

By Laurel Thomsen Considered one of the world’s greatest violin concertos since 1845, when it was first premiered by its dedicatee, violinist Ferdinand Davi... Read More...

April Verch Pays Tribute to ’50s & ’60s Classics

By Pat Moran Ever since she was a young girl, April Verch says, she wanted to play backup in a country band. Instead, the Canadian fiddler, step dancer, and... Read More...

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...