Reviews | Strings Magazine | For players of violin, viola, cello, bass & fiddle

A Pandemic-time Residency Provided Just the Right Circumstances for ‘Springville Sessions’ by the Ladles

The Ladles' Springville Sessions, which may never have happened were it not for the pandemic, is now being hailed as one of the best acoustic recordings of the year.

Review: Billy Bang’s ‘Lucky Man’ Is an Auditory Map of the Violinist’s Journey Back to Vietnam

"Lucky Man" is the soundtrack to a documentary of the same name following U.S. Army sergeant-turned-violinist Billy Bang's return to Vietnam.

Augusta McKay Lodge, violin; Georgina McKay Lodge, viola; Eva Lymenstull, cello; David Schulenberg, harpsichord

Review: ‘Chamber Music from the Court of Frederick the Great’ Showcases Early Works by J.G. Graun & Others

Fans of ancient music in search of a quality recording of obscure Baroque chamber music for viola will want to give this album a listen.

Juilliard String Quartet poses with their instruments against a gray backdrop

Review: Julliard String Quartet’s ‘Beethoven/Bartók/Dvorák’ Has a Poetic, Searching Quality

If you have ever wondered whether we really need another recording of Dvorak's “American” Quartet, the answer is yes, we need this one by the Julliard String Quartet.

Marian-Paradeiser-Divertimento-in-E-for-two-violins-viola-cello-Doblinger

Sheet Music Review: Marian Paradeiser, Divertimento in E For Two Violins, Viola & Cello

Marian Paradeiser's Divertimento in E For Two Violins, Viola & Cello is a great addition to Doblinger’s Classical Music Series.

Fiddle-Tunes-Irish-Music-for-Strings-edited-by-George-Speckert.-Bärenreiter

Sheet Music Review—Fiddle Tunes: Irish Music For Strings

Here is the latest addition to Bärenreiter’s Easy String Ensemble series. These six simple but catchy melodies are ideal for early ensemble training and for first concert performances.

Review—Notes for Violists: A Guide to the Repertoire

Oxford University Press’ newest title in its Notes for Performers series offers historical and analytical information on 35 pieces for the viola, from Bach to Weber.

New Sheet Music—A Beethoven Rarity: Three Piano Quartets, Written at Age 15, are the Only Pieces He Wrote in this Genre

When Beethoven, aged barely 15, composed these three piano quartets, the genre was rare and not yet part of an established chamber-music tradition.

Review: ‘Now More Than Ever,’ Katie McNally Trio

On “Now More Than Ever,” the Katie McNally Trio tackles a mix of traditional and self-penned strathspeys, reels, and fiddle tunes.

Review: ‘Mythologies,’ Anna Clyne (Jennifer Koh, violin; BBC Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, cond.)

Anna Clyne's "Mythologies" kicks off with the symphonic sweep of Masquerade, a sprawling orchestral fantasia commissioned in 2013 by the BBC to open the “Last Night” of the Proms.