The Strad Podcast

Episode 19: Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason on sibling collaboration

Sibling duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason chat to online editor Davina Shum about their new collaborative album Muse, featuring the works of Barber and Rachmaninov. They also spoke about why they chose to record this repertoire, how Isata deals with difficult piano parts, as well as how they keep professional and family life separate.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

 

Rachmaninov: Cello Sonata in G minor op.19 III Andante

Muse: Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello / Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano

Decca Classics

Episode 18: Rakhi Singh on creativity

Violinist and music director of Manchester Collective Rakhi Singh speaks about the challenges of creative processes and finding freedom within form, as well as not being discouraged by temporary setbacks and how landscape can influence sound.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

https://manchestercollective.co.uk/automata

https://manchestercollective.co.uk/metal

 

‘Khuda’i’ from Quarry

Rakhi Singh

Bedroom Community Records

Episode 17: Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider on competitions

Violinist and president of the Carl Nielsen International Competition Nikolaj Szeps Znaider speaks about his experience of competitions, including what he wishes he knew when he was a contestant, advice to young musicians entering competitions, and his wish to create a positive competition environment, leading to the formation of Espansiva! – an off-stage platform for competition contestants to meet fellow musicians and industry experts in an inspiring setting.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

 

Apply here by 30 October: http://carlnielsencompetition.com/

Violin concerto, op.33: Prelude. Largo – Allegro cavallerésco

Nielsen: The Symphonies and Concertos (Live)

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, vln / New York Philharmonic / Alan Gilbert

Da Capo 6.200003

Photo credit: Lars Gundersen

Episode 16: Ayanna Witter-Johnson on playing and singing

Classical/R&B fusion cellist and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson speaks about her musical journey, tips on song writing using a string instrument, and the logistics of playing and singing simultaneously.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

Flow My Tears – John Dowland

Arranged by John Aram, featuring Ayanna Witter-Johnson (cello and vocals)

Episode 15: Jack Liebeck on Ysaÿe Sonatas

Violinist Jack Liebeck took on a monumental lockdown project – while others were making sourdough or learning new languages, he decided to record all six solo violin sonatas by Ysaÿe. He speaks about his journey to complete this project, the idiomatic nature of Ysaÿe's writing, and which solo sonata he connected to the most.

Jack's new recording is released on 8 October 2021 on Orchid Classics.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

If you're a student, you can get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

 

SIX SONATAS FOR SOLO VIOLIN, OP.27
Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931)
Sonata No.5 in G major
Dedicated to Matthieu Crickboom
14.  L’Aurore. Lento assai
Jack Liebeck, violin

Orchid Classics ORC100179

Episode 14: Nicolas Altstaedt on the Lutosławski Cello Concerto

Cellist Nicolas Altstaedt speaks to online editor Davina Shum about the Lutosławski cello concerto – a piece which is quickly becoming performed more and more since Rostropovich’s premiere in 1970. Nicolas talks about his approach to learning the complexity of the score, tricky technical passages and the liberation of playing a contemporary work.

Nicolas performs this work on 1 October with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which will be available to watch free for 48 hours from 13 November on Marquee TV.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

I. Fujarka (Piccolo) Lutosławski: Little Suite (Mala suita)
Shostakovich; Weinberg; Lutoslawski: Cello Concertos 
Nicolas Altstaedt, cello / Michal Nesterowicz, conductor / Deutsches Symfonie-Orchester Berlin 
Channel Classics CCS38116

Photo credit: Marco Borggreve

Episode 13: Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier on dealing with performance anxiety

Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier is a violinist and high-performance coach for musicians. In this episode about performance anxiety and nerves, she spoke with online editor Davina Shum about self-compassion, assessment vs judgement when playing and dealing with inner battles when the stakes are so high.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

 

Renée's website and podcast:  www.mindoverfinger.com

 

Episode 12: Maxim Vengerov on Ravel

Ahead of his performance on 23 September at the InClassica International Music Festival in Dubai, violinist Maxim Vengerov chats to online editor Davina Shum about three different pieces of violin repertoire: Tzigane by Ravel, Seascapes by Alexey Shor and Meditation by Massenet.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole; Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto; Ravel: Tzigane

Maxim Vengerov, vln / Antonio Pappano, conductor / Philharmonia Orchestra

Warner Classics B019GRSR7A

Photo credit: B. Ealovega

Episode 11: Jesus Rodolfo‘s 1696 ‘Spanish Court‘ Stradivari viola replica

Violist Jesus Rodolfo chats to online editor Davina Shum about his distinctive instrument – a copy of the 1696 ‘Spanish Court’ Stradivari. Listen to him speak about seeing the original instrument for the first time as a child, intricate details of the instrument, and how playing a modern instrument can benefit one’s playing.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

Excerpt of III. Andante from Cello Sonata in G minor by Rachmaninov used with permission from Jesus Rodolfo

Episode 10: Joshua Bell on Piazzolla

Violinist Joshua Bell chats to online editor Davina Shum about the music of Astor Piazzolla – 2021 being the centenary of the composer’s birth. Ahead of his performance of The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires at the BBC Proms with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Joshua spoke about his experiences playing the music of Piazzolla, taking the music seriously and unexpected string techniques.

Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB 

Find us on social media:

Facebook.com/thestrad

Twitter: @TheStradMag

Instagram: @the_strad_

 

Joshua Bell’s Seasons – Vivaldi vs Piazzolla: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000z2j0

Excerpt of 'Oblivion' by Astor Piazzolla used with permission from Joshua Bell.

Joshua Bell, violin

Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon

Edgar Meyer, double bass

Sony Classical 88697 52716 2

Photo credit: Phil Knott