By Stephanie Powell “It has taken a little bit of time,” David Stern, son of violinist Isaac Stern, modestly says of launching the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition (SISIVC) that he will be co-chairing. In September, the Shanghai Symphony…
By Stephanie Powell In her home studio in Brooklyn, New York, composer Anna Clyne is surrounded by her small, upright piano, cello, accordion, other various instruments, and her laptop. The 35-year-old Clyne has a residency with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra,…
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Academy Week offers amateur musicians a chance to play with the pros By Yuval Boger The first time I missed a beat—a heartbeat, that is—was when I found myself standing in the green room at the…
A young person’s guide to the solo stage by Jacqueline Vanasse, Images by Giorgia Bertazzi Violinist Christian Tetzlaff is one of the most inspiring artists of the moment, especially for a new generation of talented young musicians. His name comes up countless…
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The two quartets have been making music together since their teens By Leah Hollingsworth Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen remembers the first time he and his fellow young members of the Danish String Quartet realized they were on to something. It was…
His legacy continues to contribute through schools, festivals, and competitions By Louise Lee In one way or another, Yehudi Menuhin has been a longstanding presence in the musical life of 21-year-old violinist Alexi Kenney. He began studying the instrument as a…
By Heather K. Scott In April 2016, the string world celebrates the 100th birthday of violinist and humanitarian Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin left not just a musical legacy, but many teachings and life lessons that still resonate with his students 17…
By Laurence Vittes I only heard Yehudi Menuhin play once in person. It was 1989, and the piece was Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, which Menuhin was performing with the Pacific Symphony in Costa Mesa, California. The 71-year-old virtuoso seemed to be playing…
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By Louise Lee Like houses, musical instruments take on a mystique and unique identity after someone famous owns or is associated with that instrument. The violins that were owned or played by Yehudi Menuhin are no exception. He used many…
. . . and fill in the gaps with their own compositions By Bob Doerschuk You know from the opening seconds that something unexpected is about to happen. That low trill on the viola leading to a smooth upward glissando…
Compiled by Megan Westberg Most musicians are defined and remembered in terms of sound. This is, of course, natural. A great musician is undeniable—instantly recognizable—as music pours from his instrument into the ears and souls of his listeners. Hushed, excited…
An ‘al fresco’ honeymoon experience for Dirty Cello bandmates and partners By Rebecca Roudman Dirty Cello is a San Francisco–based blues/bluegrass band, led by cellist Rebecca Roudman. With Jason Eckl (guitar), Anthony Petrocchi (drums), Paul Smith-Stewart (bass), Jaylene Chung (violin…
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By Cristina Schreil It hardly seemed like a place for Bach. The new, 13,000-square-foot venue National Sawdust in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, looks as contemporary as the music it was built to showcase. In the performance hall, black walls peak out in…
Tips for selling a bow or instrument by a living maker Q: I have a fine violin bow from a maker who is still alive, but I need to sell it. How do I decide how much to ask for…
By Stephanie Powell “I like to say we started the band because no one wanted to play as much fiddle music as we did,” five-string fiddler Rachel Baiman of 10 String Symphony says with a laugh over the phone from…
Text by Jeff Kaliss Images by Juergen Frank About three quarters of the way through our phone conversation, celebrated violinist Jennifer Koh, speaking from her apartment in New York City, feels she owes me an apology. “This interview is turning…
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In a Strings exclusive, six-sibling string ensemble the Annie Moses Band has released a music video from its latest album, American Rhapsody (Rhino Warner Classics), titled “In the New World.” Violinist and vocalist Annie Wolaver Dupre answers a few questions…
Notes from the virtuoso’s desk on keeping time by Louise Lee As part of his work as director of the online community Internet Cello Society, self-described “cello journalist” Tim Janof has interviewed about 80 of the world’s most prominent cellists…
By Cristina Schreil A sweeping exploration of contemporary soundscapes, San Francisco’s Del Sol String Quartet’s Scrapyard Exotica features works by Mason Bates, Ken Ueno, and Mohammed Fairouz. In “Bagatelles for String Quartet and Electronica,” by Bates—also known as DJ Masonic—23-year-old…
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