Julia Reddy is the host of the Violin Class Podcast and teaches a studio comprising solely of adult learners. She and online editor Davina had a chat about how adult students can be proactive and design their own musical curriculum beyond the practice room - a completely different game from teaching children. What are your favourite ways to enrich your musical education? Find Julia's Violin Class podcast: https://www.violinclass.co/podcast Recommended listening: How to immerse yourself in the...

Many of us as string players will find ourselves teaching in one way or another throughout our careers. We learn and pass on this great legacy of tradition that has gone before us. But what else informs our teaching? How do we find our groove, so to speak, as teachers and players? Cellist Guy Johnston spoke with online editor Davina about finding his teaching style, particularly after returning to his alma mater, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. What’s it like, returning to the...

If you’ve read our February 2024 issue, you would’ve read our feature on the long-lost work by Ysaÿe, his Poème concertant. Violinist Philippe Graffin has recorded the work that had been undiscovered for more than a century – he joins online editor Davina in this episode to speak about uncovering Ysaÿe’s forgotten works, the history and inspiration of the piece, plus how he hopes to cement these lost works as staples of violin repertoire in the future. Read: Ysaÿe’s Poème concertant: shining...

How do you feel about improvising on a stringed instrument? While there are many musicians who specialise in this craft, you wouldn’t have to search far for string players where mention of the words ‘improv’ and ‘solo’ is enough to strike fear into their hearts. Violist and composer Jessica Meyer spoke to online editor and cellist Davina about how the word ‘improvisation’ can be seemingly daunting for string players, and how it helps to approach it as ‘making choices’. She shares her story...

Double bassist Michael Rieber is the first solo double bass player from the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra in Hamburg. Not only does he hold a principal position in one of Europe’s top orchestras, he’s also released a recording of French works called Nuits Blanches. How does Michael find the time to take on two very high-calibre jobs and projects? Michael shares with online editor Davina the lessons he’s learnt throughout his orchestral career, including why patience is critical when it comes...

Violinist Alena Baeva spoke with online editor Davina recently about the music of Stravinsky – specifically the Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss, which was arranged by Samuel Dushkin for violin and piano. She spoke about how this music encourages the player to harness the power of the imagination to showcase the kaleidoscope of colours displayed in Stravinsky’s writing. She also speaks about staying spontaneous, as well as her approach and tips to playing tricky double stops. Plus, you’ll...

Maja Bogdanović is no stranger to a busy life – she enjoys an international solo and chamber career as well as collaborations with regular musical partners, including her husband the violinist Daniel Rowland. Maja’s shared her thoughts with us previously on thestrad.com about travelling not only with a cello, but also with a small child. How does Maja stay on top of things? She and fellow cellist Davina Shum chatted about strategies for keeping an ideal mindset when you’ve got a busy career,...

If you’ve got a copy of our new February 2024 issue, (or seen it online) you would’ve seen our Masterclass feature on the first movement of Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.2, op.100 with violinist Daniel Kurganov. The interview for the Masterclass feature was just a tiny part of a larger conversation that, in addition to Daniel’s musical and technical advice on the work, included his wider thoughts on historical performance and the meaning of authenticity. Have a listen to an excerpt online editor...

In our quest for virtuosic brilliance and flair in our music making, as string players, sometimes we forget that coming back to basics is important for solving many problems in our playing and performance. Many people to get distracted by the complexities of a particular obstacle, or perhaps try and tackle too many problems at once, leading to a sensory overload. Or perhaps overcoming challenges in string playing is so overwhelming and anxiety-inducing that you don’t know where to start! Here...

Rachel Cooper is a violin teacher who was recently awarded the Emerging Artist Award given by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the 2023 Women in Classical Music Symposium. She’s a Suzuki teacher, a violin and chamber music coach at Junior Guildhall and works for Nicola Benedetti’s education initiative, the Benedetti Foundation. As part of her award and her continuing professional development, Rachel is planning to put her teaching approaches into a book, to help inspire music teachers to...

Violinist Mahaliah Edwards spoke to online editor Davina recently about her approaches to teaching students in a wide range of scenarios, which call for actively involving pupils in music making and learning, and with Mahaliah taking on the role of ‘being the teacher that she would’ve like to have had.’ Perhaps you’re a string teacher interested in hearing some ways to inject inspiration into lessons, particularly after a holiday break, or when students seem to become disinterested – Mahaliah...

The city of Cremona is revered as being the historical birthplace and home of the violin and violin making, with luthiers today still emulating the models of Stradivari, Guarneri and the like. But what about the makers in nearby Brescia? Despite being geographically close, the city of Brescia has a remarkably different story, producing instruments and makers with their own distinct style. Here to shine a light on Brescian instrument making is Sydney-based luthier Linda Lespets, who puts into...

The topic of adult beginners and adult learners is one that resonates with many readers of The Strad. Here to chat with online editor Davina about the mindset of adult students is violinist and teacher Rachael Ridge, who has written extensively on the subject for thestrad.com. She’s the founder of the Adult Violin Academy and speaks about her experience teaching adults – particularly as adults will approach learning an instrument very differently from a child. She speaks about the importance...

This year, cellist Laurence Lesser celebrates his 85th birthday, as well as 50 years at the New England Conservatory, where he is president emeritus. His numerous students appear in concert halls, orchestras, teaching studios and more around the world. He speaks to online editor Davina about his teaching methods and approaches, including the ‘what, why and how’ of cello playing, plus how teaching has informed his playing throughout the years. The New England Conservatory will celebrate...

Hailing from a family of viola players are Dana and Mikhail Zemtsov. Ahead of the release of their album Fathers and Daughters, the Zemtsovs spoke with me about being part of a viola dynasty. How did this collective of violists come about? What makes a typical violist? The duo share how the family is united by instrument, as well as painting a picture of life home in a viola household, plus what it’s like to work professionally with your family members The Zemtsovs's Fathers and Daughters...

Recent visitors to thestrad.com may have noticed a video that premiered called Racing Horses, featuring a spirited performance from the cello and piano Cheng2 Duo, comprising siblings Bryan Cheng on cello and Silvie Cheng on piano. Racing Horses features on their upcoming album Portrait, which contains works by composers of Asian heritage, as well as two arrangements of Chinese folk songs, Racing Horses being one of them. In an international operation that involved Bryan in Romania and Silvie...

Playing as a principal player in a string section of an orchestra certainly has its challenges – but how do you learn how to lead a section? There’s plenty of tuition on audition preparation and orchestral repertoire for students – but it's unlikely many string players attend a class called ‘Leading 101’ while at college! It’s certainly a job that comes with gained experience and feedback. Here to share his learning experiences of leading a section is violist Daniel Foster. Daniel joined the...

Perhaps somewhat frustrated with the scarcity of double bass repertoire, Valentina Ciardelli is committed to finding and creating new repertoire for double bassists. Valentina is the founder of the How I met Puccini project, transcribing arias for double bass and other stringed instruments. She speaks about showcasing and celebrating the double bass for what it is, idiomatic writing, and the ever-fascinating parallels between string playing and voices. Check out thestrad.com for the latest...

Violinist Pavel Berman is in the rather unique and fortuitous position of having the opportunity to play on the 1702 'David Oistrakh' Stradivari violin – not only that, but he has recorded the Shostakovich Violin Sonata recently with pianist Maria Meerovitch, a work that was written for Oistrakh himself! What’s it like, coming face-to-face with the legacy of Oistrakh both in the music on your stand and the fiddle in your hand? Pavel spoke to online editor Davina about playing this special...

Ahead of an upcoming performance with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, violinist Christian Tetzlaff spoke to Davina about performing Bartok’s Violin Concerto no.2. When did he first encounter it? What are his favourite moments? How does he get through the monumental work in one piece? Christian will be performing the Bartok on 30 September with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news, articles and reviews on all things to do with...

Violinist Rachel Podger is no stranger to the pages of The Strad magazine, having featured in several articles and reviews throughout her prolific career. Ahead of her busy upcoming season, which sees her as artist in focus at London’s Kings Place, artistic director of Brecon Baroque Festival, a recording release of the Goldberg Variations, plus principal guest directorships with Tafelmusik in future seasons, Rachel makes her first appearance in the podcast to speak about the tools of her...

Cellist Matthew Barley spoke to Davina recently about Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, or Transfigured Night – a piece which is so epically challenging and takes the players and listeners on an emotional journey. Matthew speaks about bringing other disciplines of theatre, electronics, dance and lighting to present a theatrical version of the work, which will be performed with the Mullova Ensemble in October. The programme will be performed at Milton Court (London) on 18 October and Turner Sims...

You may have seen a video premiere on thestrad.com last week of a film called Absinthe featuring cellist Alexander Hersh. Absinthe is more than a film series – it’s also an album of music featuring works that were written before the European ban of the highly alcoholic drink, the music from which provides the soundtrack to a crazy narrative that sees Alexander being haunted by a cello-shaped bottle of green liquid. Alexander speaks to online editor Davina about combining film making, editing,...

The musical world was shaken in October 2022 when news broke out of Geoff Nuttall’s passing. Geoff was the founding first violinist of the St. Lawrence String Quartet, an ensemble that has enchanted audiences worldwide since 1989 and served as ensemble in residence at Stanford University since 1998. The St. Lawrence’s co-founding violist Lesley Robertson joins online editor Davina in this episode, reminiscing about Geoff – including his incredible energy, his connection with audiences, plus...