By Mary Nemet Camille Saint-Saëns: String Quartets, No. 1 in G, Op. 112, and No. 2 in E minor, Op. 153 Bärenreiter, €29.95 Popularly known for his inimitable Carnival of the Animals and other large orchestral showpieces, it was a…
What’s your favorite part of the process of making an instrument—what day do you most look forward to? After more than 30 years as a professional violin maker, most aspects of my profession remain interesting and stimulating. And the varnishing…
By Greg Cahill Over the years, Qigang Chen has composed numerous works—from symphonies and chamber pieces to film scores and songs—to become one of China’s foremost composers. In 2008, the largest-ever TV audience (estimated at 4.7 billion viewers) heard his…
By Emily Wright Picture this: an undergraduate student, standing in a busy city center on a sweltering day. In one hand, a duffel bag. In the other, a phone. She is trying to find her way to a bar where…
Advertisement
By Guy Fishman When I began my studies with cellist Anner Bylsma, who died on July 25 at age 85, I arrived carrying his book, Bach, the Fencing Master, which caused some controversy by suggesting that the bowings found in…
China’s emergence in the top tier of violin-making countries in recent years is difficult to ignore.
By Laurel Thomsen Considered one of the world’s greatest violin concertos since 1845, when it was first premiered by its dedicatee, violinist Ferdinand David, Mendelssohn’s thematically lyrical and structurally innovative violin concerto has inspired composers and generations of violinists. After…
By Pat Moran Ever since she was a young girl, April Verch says, she wanted to play backup in a country band. Instead, the Canadian fiddler, step dancer, and singer embarked on a career as band leader and solo performer,…
Advertisement
By Sasha Margolis Few music-lovers today have heard of violinist Israel Baker. But nearly everyone has heard Baker’s glorious playing—whether they know it or not. Born a hundred years ago this year, Baker was one of Jascha Heifetz’s most trusted…
By Stephanie Powell Pirastro has released D-Bass Perpetual, a new set of strings for the double bass, designed with pizzicato in mind. The set was not created for a specific style of music, but the strings’ quick bow response makes…
By David Templeton For certain San Francisco string musicians, it’s time to order some brand-new earplugs and practice throwing one-handed “devil-horn signs,” because one of the weirdest and wildest cultural events of the late 20th century is about to happen…
By Miranda Wilson Practice. Ever since our teachers taught us to sing “Doctor! Suzuki! Says never! Be lazy! But practice! And practice! Until you! Go crazy!” to the tune of Twinkle Variation B, we’ve known that it’s compulsory for anyone…
Advertisement
By Cristina Schreil German viola da gamba player Hille Perl grew up in a family of musicians. When she was five, while at a concert (a regular outing for the family) in the Bremen Rathaus, she heard Belgian Baroque cello…
This fall, a new flood of string players will rush into the halls of music departments and conservatories the world over. Many of these new students will be driven by visions of a performance career, their momentum fueled by the…