The Strad Podcast

Episode 29: Julia Fischer on Mozart Violin Concertos

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Violinist Julia Fischer speaks to online editor Davina Shum about the Mozart Violin Concertos. Find out which one she performed first, as well as her favourite, plus her approaches to teaching the works and performing without a conductor. Julia also speaks about the joy of performing chamber works... as a pianist!

Find out more about Julia's Mozart performances with the LPO:

https://www.lpo.org.uk/what-s-on/julia-fischer-artist-in-residence.html

 

Violin Concerto no.5 in A major, K219 I Allegro aperto - Adagio - Allegro aperto

Julia Fischer - The Mozart Violin Concertos

Julia Fischer, violin / Netherlands Chamber Orchestra / Yakov Kreizberg, conductor

Pentatone PTC 5186 453

 

Photo credit: Uwe Arens

 

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Episode 28: Alexandra Conunova on losing her Guadagnini violin

In this exclusive interview with The Strad, violinist Alexandra Conunova shares the traumatic and harrowing story of when her 1785 Guadagnini violin was seized by Moldovan customs officials at Chisinau airport. Hear in her own words what happened on that day, the lengths she went to in order to get her violin back, and what she has learned from the experience.

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Episode 27: Kian Soltani on Shostakovich Cello Concerto no.1

Kian Soltani shares his thoughts on Shostakovich’s epic Cello Concerto no.1 in conversation with online editor Davina Shum. He speaks about his initial inspiration for working on the piece, unexpected challenges that arise when performing, as well as why cellists need to regard themselves as athletes, especially during the holiday season.

Kian’s LPO concert: https://tickets.lpo.org.uk/events/119589

 

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Cello Unlimited

Kian Soltani, cello

Deutsche Gramophone 4860518

 Photo credit: Juventino Mateo

Episode 26: Alun Thomas on Alexander Technique

Alun Thomas is a UK-based violinist, writer and Alexander Technique specialist. Alongside his feature Thoughts That Count in the January 2022 issue of The Strad, he spoke with online editor Davina Shum about his first encounter with Alexander Technique, as well as the basic, fundamental principles that string players can employ, including physical awareness, lengthening, ease and mindfulness.

Find out more about Alun’s work here: www.violinlessons.live

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Episode 25: Leia Zhu on performance and outreach

At only 15 years of age, violinist Leia Zhu began her role as artist in residence with the London Mozart Players in October 2021. She speaks with online editor Davina Shum about her life balancing travelling, performance and school work, as well as her work with LMP's education and community outreach programmes to bring classical music to a wider audience.

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Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major op.34

Leia Zhu, violin / London Mozart Players

Photo credit: Zhutek

Episode 24: Caroline Pether on the joy of playing in chamber orchestras

Violinist Caroline Pether is the leader of Manchester Camerata and teaches at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She speaks with online editor Davina Shum about the joy of playing in chamber orchestras – including how leading an ensemble is much like being a film director, allowing individual musicians to exercise freedom of expression within a clear overall vision, as well as Caroline’s favourite pieces to lead and direct from the violin.

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Songs of Solitude no.1

Caroline Pether, violin

UNTOLD: Caroline

Episode 23: Pablo Ferrández on Classical cello concertos

Cellist Pablo Ferrández speaks to fellow cellist Davina Shum about Classical cello concertos ahead of his European tour with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He speaks about the Classical style, his instrument set up, choosing musical editions, as well as travelling with a cello during the time of Covid.

Find out more about Pablo’s London and European performances in early December.

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Haydn Cello Concerto no.1 in C major I: Moderato
Pablo Ferrández, cello / Spanish Radio Television Orchestra / Pablo González, conductor

Photo credit: Igor Studio

Episode 22: Chad Hoopes on interdisciplinary teaching and learning

Violinist Chad Hoopes chats to online editor Davina Shum about his approaches to teaching and learning as professor of practice in violin at Meadows School of Arts, Southern Methodist University. He speaks about teaching students who major in various disciplines in an environment that encourages a broad, liberal arts education.

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Mendelssohn/Adams Violin Concertos

Chad Hoopes, vln / MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra / Kristjan Järvi

Naïve 5368

Photo credit Jiyang Chen

Episode 21: Leon Bosch on Bottesini

Double bassist Leon Bosch speaks with online editor Davina Shum about the life and works of Giovanni Bottesini, in the year celebrating the bicentenary of his birth. Revered in bass circles as a revolutionary, Bottesini was also a renowned performer, composer and conductor in his day.
Leon will be performing works by Bottesini on 7 December at Wigmore Hall, as well as at ‘Bottesini Day’ at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance on 17 December.

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Fantasie Sonnambula 
The Virtuoso Double Bass: Giovanni Bottesini, volume 1
Leon Bosch, double bass / Sung Suk Kang, piano
Meridian
CDE 84544

Photo credit: Juno Snowdon. Art direction: Adam Hypki

Episode 20: Steven Isserlis on consulting musical editions and manuscripts

Following publication of his new book The Bach Cello Suites: A Companion, cellist Steven Isserlis spoke to online editor Davina Shum about consulting various musical sources, from different editions to manuscripts. Steven also speaks about making bowing and fingering suggestions for the new Henle edition of the Dvořák cello concerto, and how musicians need to make an informed choice for their preferred interpretation.

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Sarabande from Cello Suite no.5 in C minor BWV1011

Steven Isserlis, cello

Johann Sebastian Bach: The Cello Suites

Hyperion CDA67541/2

 

Photo credit: Jean Baptiste Millot