Radio Coda: A (Personal) History of Classical Radio
David Schulman, musician, composer, and creator/producer of the NPR series "Musicians in their Own Words," looks back on a life colored by classical radio.
November-December 2025
Back in Fashion: The Concerto Form Receives Wider Contemporary Attention
The concerto is no longer merely a test of virtuosity. It is a stage for collaboration, a reflection of our time, and a laboratory for works that may still be played 100 years from now.
Intoxicating Vitality—Rebecca Clarke’s Sonata for Viola and Piano Remains Fresh and Vibrant
A rare work that fits equally well on more than one instrument, the Sonata has been embraced by violists, cellists, and orchestras alike.
Pop Music, Classical Vibe—Vitamin String Quartet Applies a New Aesthetic to Chart–Topping Hits
Recording and releasing classical-style arrangements of pop songs could be viewed as a whimsical endeavor, but to the producers, engineers, arrangers, and musicians of VSQ, the music is no joke.
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Home Shopping: Luthier Christopher Jacoby Sets Up His Bench Where It Will Enhance, and Interact with, His Life
“I wanted a place that reflected my style and philosophy. A shop where my kids run through on their way to the park,” he says.
Bach for More—Violist Edward Klorman Offers a Valuable New Installment in Cello Suites Scholarship
“I wanted to write a book that could be read by anybody who plays these pieces: Cellists. Violists. Bassists. Trombonists. Whoever!” says Klorman.
Strings and the Radio—Remembering Violinist and Pioneering Classical Radio Host Joan Field
Creating an estimated total of at least 200 radio programs for WXQR, Field also performed several times on-air as a soloist, and served as concertmaster of the station’s orchestra.
Music Students Around the World Have Benefitted from 50 Years of El Sistema
Founded in Venezuela in 1975, today there are El Sistema programs or comparable partner programs providing musical opportunities to kids in more than 70 countries.
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Larsen Releases an Il Cannone Silver String Set
Larsen describes these strings as having been “designed for violinists seeking a silvery brilliance with an increased overtone resonance and superior projection”
French Cellist Juliette Herlin’s ‘Dialogue’ Taps into Debussy and Schumann
Herlin’s debut album invites listeners to explore the subtle connections between the music of these two Romantic-era giants
Strings and the Radio: 11 Essential Programs for Classical Music Lovers
Here’s a list of exceptional classical music radio programs that resonate particularly well with the interests and needs of string players.
Ju-Fang Liu’s Tuscan Bass Packs an Unexpected Punch
This circa 1720 Italian treasure is celebrated for being remarkably versatile, adapting seamlessly to every musical genre.
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Agent of Change—Film Composer and Hitchcock Collaborator Bernard Herrmann Influenced All Those Who Came After
Fifty years after his death, Herrmann’s music lives on in his iconic scores, orchestral suites, recital programs, recordings, and even in a hit ballet.
Don’t Trade, Upgrade—A Guide to Modifying Your Instrument
Before you open your wallet for a replacement instrument, consider the following checklist to get a realistic sense of what needs improving.
Words of Wisdom—Inspirational Quotes to Motivate Students and Teachers Alike
Searching for an approach to assist students with motivation issues? Perhaps the following insights will help.
5 Minutes with Violinist Hongyi Mo
Poulenc’s great Violin Sonata is at the center of Mo’s debut album, ‘Métamorphoses,’ and serves as the anchor for an exploration of transformation.
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Did You Know . . . in Osaka you Can Hear Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Performed with 10,000 Voices?
Every December, while the western world rolls out an onslaught of ‘Nutcracker’ and ‘Messiah’ performances, Japan is awash in Beethoven’s Ninth.
Musicians Turn to Body Mapping to Maximize Technique Without Tension
Body mapping is a method that uses anatomical understanding to help musicians develop an accurate mental map of their body’s structure and movement.
In with the New: Anne Akiko Meyers Releases Three Albums of Contemporary Music, with Two More on the Way
A champion of contemporary composers, Meyers’ website lists 38 composers whose work she has commissioned and/or premiered.
At 100, the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ Is America’s Longest-Running Radio Broadcast and a Country Music Sensation
To say that the Opry is steeped in tradition is an understatement.