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“The Beast”—Warchal Releases a Violin String Set with a Dramatic Moniker
As its name suggests, this is not a set for the faint of heart. It is designed for the soloist and aims to provide “unmatched projection and response.”
Did You Know . . . Louis Spohr (1784–1859) Invented the Chin Rest?
And that's just the beginning. So highly regarded was Spohr across Europe that he was an honorary member of no fewer than 38 music societies. Quite a man, this Spohr!
Rethinking Your Approach to Intonation on Violin
The first step to fixing bad intonation on the violin? Admitting it’s a problem.
Justin Robinson and Rhiannon Giddens Pay Homage to the Past on ‘What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow’
No mere collection of rustic folk tunes, the album is a reflection of the role that African music and African American musicians have played in the foundational culture of a nation.
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A String Lover’s Guide to Digital Streaming Platforms
It can be frustrating trying to find what you’re looking for amid a tidal wave of pop, rap, and rock. Luckily, a growing number of streaming platforms cater to consumers and creators of string music.
Remembering Avant–Garde Composer Sofia Gubaidulina
The Soviet composer was denounced early on for her “irresponsible attitude to the principles of socialist realism”—a comment she took as a badge of honor.
Old to New School—A Brief History of Sound Recording
We can loosely organize the history of sound recording into four eras based on the emergent technology of each period: acoustic, electrical, magnetic, and digital.
Susan Babini’s 18th-Century Goffriller Is More Than Just a Cello
As principal cellist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Babini doesn’t just play the instrument, she carries forward its legacy, blending centuries of craftsmanship with a lineage that’s just as personal.
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Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet Has Been Spreading Cheer for Two Centuries
Two hundred years after its first performance in the Mendelssohn family home, the Octet is a fixture in public concert halls and private homes.
Rozanna’s Violins Encourage a Player’s Imagination
Weinberger’s instruments shimmer in every hue, with decorative themes as diverse as her clientele.
Review: William Skeen Casts New Light on Well-Loved Compositions on ‘The Six Cello Suites of J.S. Bach’
Skeen’s breadth of experience comes through in his dialogue-like approach to voicing and articulation.
String Pioneers: Domenico Dragonetti Leveled Up Bass Playing for Every Subsequent Generation
Although he was likely not the very first bass soloist, Dragonetti is widely known as the first bass soloist in the class of musician one would call “virtuoso.”
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The SteelDrivers’ Fiddle Stalwart Tammy Rogers Sings the Praises of Modern Bluegrass
Rogers has been at the vanguard of the modern bluegrass movement, blending traditional bluegrass, country, soul, and gospel music.
Did You Know: Only a Single Well-Known Composer Has Written One or More Works for Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Septet, Octet, and Nonet Configurations?
That composer is Louis Spohr (1784–1859)
Maiya Papach Discovers There’s More to Her Fagnola Viola Than Meets the Eye
For years, Papach, principal violist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, believed her viola was an Annibale Fagnola copy of a Giuseppe Rocca.
Practicing Unisons Is Great for Improving Left-Hand Technique
Even a little work on unisons can yield significant benefits.
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Review: Mads Tolling Honors Past Legends on ‘Masters of Jazz Violin’
The two-time Grammy Award winner has established his place among an elite cadre of contemporary jazz violinists.
String Pioneers: Female Cellists Owe Much to the Intrepid Lise Cristiani
In the 19th century, it took rare determination for a woman to attempt a career as a cellist. No one could’ve been more determined than Cristiani.
Debut Album Shows Owls to Be Rare Birds Indeed
The quartet’s new release is packed with surprises. Here, the ensemble discusses the record and their newly launched foursome.