By David Templeton Photos by Roger Rich Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser want to make one thing perfectly clear. “We know how to play softly.” Sulic—laughing like a man who’s just heard himself say something for the 10,000th time—knows his…
When it comes to finding your voice, you’re buying for sound
He occupies more than one slot in the pantheon of American music. Along with breaking through the race barrier multiple times, as a piano virtuoso and as a composer, George Walker continues to sustain a creative life in his 90s…
By Robert Mealy We come onto the stage of a beautiful 19th-century concert hall with an elegant half-circle of seats facing a proscenium stage. It is packed with people—some even standing in the aisles. Juilliard415 is in Chennai, India, to perform…
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By James VanDemark There are few mid-level, original double-bass pieces that possess the exquisite balance of lyricism and virtuosity better than Giovanni Bottesini’s Elegy. Composed for his own use as the premiere double-bass virtuoso of his time (1821–89), Elegy is…
By Cristina Schreil A duo known for their deep exploration of Scottish music is expanding overseas. Highlighting links between multiple cultures, fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas perform tunes on their latest album, Ports of Call, that originate in Scandinavia,…
By Stephanie Powell Due to the dwindling sources of many traditional materials used to make bows, some makers have begun working with untraditional materials. Michael Duff began moving away from the usual supplies by developing a bow stick made of…
By Louise Lee Let’s say you’re finishing up your college degree and are ready to launch your professional career, taking some local auditions and entering a few competitions. You might be looking to upgrade your violin to one in the…
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By Patrick Sullivan Eric Meyer’s pegs and tailpieces have graced fine modern instruments and million-dollar Strads like the “General Kyd” violin and “Archinto” viola. Yet they have a humble origin: Every one of the Oregon artisan’s fittings is handmade in…
By Inge Kjemtrup Photos by Marco Borggreve Had it not been for her father, Vilde Frang might well be playing the double bass today. Her father and older sister both played the instrument, so as a child, Frang was sure…