A String Player’s Guide to New York City
Here are some of the myriad venues, ensembles, restaurants, and cultural institutions that make New York City a great musical destination for string players.
March-April 2022
Why the Music of Bassist and Composer Charles Mingus Still Resonates 100 Years After His Birth
The music of jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus, who was born 100 years ago and died in 1979, continues to challenge musicians.
Cellist Mike Block’s ‘Planispheres’ is Full of Improvised Solo Performances—For Strangers
Each track on cellist Mike Block's Planispheres was inspired by a different celestial object. Each track was also a separate performance presented for just one listener.
Ljova’s ‘Enter the Fadolín’ Expands Repertoire for the Eccentric 6-String Instrument
Ljova's "Enter the Fadolin" includes songs inspired by Bach, contemplative originals, Celtic tunes and more for the 6-String violin-style instrument the Fadolin.
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Shea-Kim Duo Captures Beauty and Intensity on ‘The Sound and Fury’
The violin-piano dup of Shea and Kim work exquisitely as a team, overlapping their lines so seamlessly they become inseparable on "The Sound and the Fury."
Reimagining Musical Mistakes as Invitations to Growth
Fixing one failure can raise your entire level of musicianship, especially when you apply the solutions to similar difficulties moving forward. Here’s how to do it.
Julia MacLaine’s ‘Preludes’ Mixes Bach and Contemporary Cello Works
Cellist Julia MacLaine's "Preludes" includes 6 newly commissioned responses to the preludes to Bach's Cello Suites as well as Bach's original preludes.
David Fulton’s New Book Is a Monument to His Extraordinary—and Now Dispersed—Rare String Instrument Collection
Other collections have been more comprehensive and far-ranging, even more flamboyant. But David Fulton was never interested in merely accumulating as many rare instruments as he could: “I just wanted the best.”
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Adult Summer Music Camp: 4 Ideas for Some Chamber-Music Fun (and Study!)
Summer chamber-music programs abound for adult amateurs looking to hone their chops, expand their musical horizons, or just have fun. Here are 4 camps that do just that.
Violinist, Composer Pauline Kim Harris’ ‘Wild at Heart’ is a Collection of Bach-Inspired Chaconnes
On "Wild at Heart," a collection of contemporary chaconnes inspired by J.S. Bach’s iconic work, violinist and composer Pauline Kim Harris takes the listener into uncharted territory.
A String Player’s Guide to London
London is a resilient city that has much to offer for string players. Here's a string player's guide to London.
Elinor Frey Explores the Piccolo Cello on ‘Early Italian Concertos’
Elinor Frey emerged from pandemic lockdown in 2021 to record an album of early Italian cello concertos by Vivaldi, Leo, Sammartini, and Tartini on piccolo cello.
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Deciphering Debussy’s Markings Inspires New Thinking in Other Pieces
Notation is only the very beginning of musical interpretation in Debussy's Sonata for Cello and Piano, and markings alone leave a great deal to be imagined.
Conductor Ryan Bancroft on Making Memorable Moments with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
On December 6, 2021, California Institute of the Arts alum Ryan Bancroft was officially appointed chief conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Rethinking the Traditional Tailpiece on Violin
Scholars, luthiers, makers, and, notably, players are listening more intently to the effect tailpieces have on the overall sound of a violin.
Everbest Music’s ‘The Complete Chamber Music of Virgil Thomson’ Includes 63 Tracks & 3 World Premieres
Everbest Music’s complete recording of Virgil Thomson’s chamber music was recorded at the 2012 Monadnock Music Festival and contains 63 tracks.
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Angèle Dubeau Celebrates 25 Years With Her All-Female Ensemble, La Pietà
Violinist Angèle Dubeau, founder and conductor of the celebrated all-female ensemble La Pietà, celebrates the group's 25th anniversary with a new album, "Elle."
Violinist Lili Haydn is Making a Name for Herself in the TV and Film World
The classically trained jazz and New Age violinist Lili Haydn (Opium Moon) is spending her time scoring music for such TV and film projects.
D’Addario’s Newest Accessory is Meant to Protect Your Rosin
D'Addario's Rosin Guard will absorb any shocks while allowing the player to rosin a bow like normal, without releasing the cake.
Remembering the Great Stephen Sondheim Through the Lens of a Cellist
Cellist Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf reflects on the music and artistry of composer Stephen Sondheim.
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Marlea Simpson’s Kraemer Viola Thrives in ‘Boomy’ Spaces
Marlea Simpson tends to describe her relationship with her viola in strongly affectionate terms, using words like “fun,” “beautiful,” and “ready for anything.”
How TV and Streaming Services Can Co-Exist to Serve More Classical Music Lovers
Web-based platforms and streaming services are now offering classical music consumers new ways to engage with and enjoy their favorite artists and ensembles.
Bassist Tori Elker Charts Her Journey with Good Morning Bedlam
When Good Morning Bedlam's bassist left the group, Tori Elker taught herself to play the bass so she could tour with her husband and do more than just run the merch table.
The Savannah and Sun Valley Music Festivals Ready the Stage for Live Concerts
Music festivals across the country are gearing up to go live in 2022, including Georgia’s Savannah Music Festival and the Sun Valley Music Festival in Idaho.