A Refresher on Bold Martelé Bowing Technique
Martelé bowing is remarkably useful as a teaching tool, specifically for bow-hand strength & balance, & for development of accurate direction in the bow arm.
July-August 2021
Leon Kirchner’s ‘Duo No. 2’ Shows the Composer’s Unfailing Vitality
Kirchner was 83 when he wrote the Duo No. 2 in 2002. He considered its completion proof that he still was capable of producing works of great vitality.
Demystifying the Dazzling Variety of Historical Bows and How to Find the Right One
Bows have undergone an amazing transformation over the centuries, varying in size, shape, material, and function. Understanding the history will help guide you in your quest for just the right style of bow for you
Richard Riggall’s (Day) Dream Career Making Baroque Bows
While he makes modern bows, Richard Riggall’s specialty is early bows, primarily of the Baroque era. It is a mystifying and, for him, exceedingly satisfying endeavor.
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Review: Gil Shaham and the Knights’ ‘Beethoven and Brahms: Violin Concertos’ Seduces and Captures the Imagination
This is violinist Gil Shaham’s first recording of Beethoven. In the hands of Shaham and the Knights, these sumptuous tracks of Beethoven and Brahms are flawless.
Advice for Adult String Students Looking for Just the Right Instrument
Finally, you have the time (and the money) to invest in a violin that makes your heart sing. Here's how adult string students can get started in their search.
How to Find the Best Shoulder Rest for Your Violin
There is no magic shoulder rest that will make you a better player, but here's how to find the right violin shoulder rest and ensure it’s fitted correctly.
Review: Violinist Isabelle Faust and Orchestre De Paris Dazzle with Péter Eötvös’ Virtuosic ‘Alhambra’ and Stravinsky’s ‘Rite of Spring’
Péter Eötvös’ third violin concerto is an astonishingly virtuosic composition for the Orchestre De Paris as well as violin soloist Isabelle Faust.
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How to Define a Musical Instrument’s Quality and Value
Here's a guide to assess quality and value for violin, viola and cello, as well as a general price guide for entry-level to professional quality instruments.
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.
CodaBow’s New Chroma Experience Makes Everything Custom
The company’s new Chroma experience is meant to give violinists, violists, and cellists the chance to customize their own bows as a reflection of their technique & style
How Violinists Use Technology to Explore New Sounds
Violinists have been experimenting with technology, including electric violinist, for decades, if not longer, in their search for new sounds.
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How a Cellist Came to Own the Cello of Her Dreams
It was love at first bow, but it was years before Emily Wright would be surprised with a lifelong reunion with "Henri," the cello of her dreams.
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.
How Moonlighting Classical Musicians Contributed to Motown, R&B, Pop, and Rock Music History
String players helped shape the sound of pop music from Motown & beyond, while establishing a blueprint for orchestral arrangements that is followed to this day.
Violinist María Dueñas Launches Solo Career Virtually as Part of Pandemic Pivot
Undeterred by Coronavirus delays, the 17-year-old Spanish violinist María Dueñas found a way to launch her career and shine in the virtual realm.
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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.
Violinist Vijay Gupta Finds New Path With Unconventional Inspiration on Debut Solo Album ‘When the Violin’
With this album violinist Vijay Gupta initiates a new project: to record all 6 Bach sonatas & partitas alongside a newly commissioned work in the next 6 years.
Pandemic Downtime Has Strengthened the Resolve of Orchestras to Reach Children
Wherever orchestras and institutions have expanded their offerings for children during the pandemic, the impact has been stunning.
Violist Lawrence Power’s Lockdown Sessions Showcase New Works in Empty Venues
Over the course of several videos, Power’s commanding performances of new solo works bring life to venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall in London.
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Tango Titan: Remembering Composer and Bandoneon Master Astor Piazzolla at 100
Composer and bandoneon master Astor Piazzolla’s (1921-1992) transformed the tango by blending jazz and symphonic influences.
Review: Juilliard 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.
Cellist Inbal Segev Launches Ambitious ’20 for 2020′ Commissioning Project
Cellist Inbal Segev's 20 for 2020 project aims to creata musical diary of the pandemic era and the social unrest that swept the nation last year.
Violinist Jennifer Koh’s ‘Alone Together’ Captures the Pandemic Lockdown Experience
For "Alone Together," violinist Jennifer Koh commissioned 20 composers to write a 30-second “micro-work,” asking each to recommend a younger composer to debut it.