Episodes
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Episode 105: active string teaching and learning with violinist Mahaliah Edwards
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
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 shares her ideas behind music lessons with a broad perspective, and how teachers can also learn from their pupils.
Visit Mahaliah's website: mahaliaedwards.com
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Photo credit: Olivia Davy-Hoffman
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Episode 104: Brescia vs Cremona with luthier Linda Lespets
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Friday Dec 01, 2023
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 historical context what life was like for makers such as da Salo, Maggini and Rogeri and what influenced the choices they made when making their instruments.
Linda is the host of The Violin Chronicles podcast - check it out here.
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Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Episode 103: adult learner mindset with violinist Rachael Ridge
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
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 of growth and progression, having a community, not being afraid to make mistakes and to take risks, as well as other factors, that will help adult learners on their musical journey.
Find out more about Rachael here and her Adult Violin Academy Facebook group here.
Check out some of Rachael's blogs below.
The dark side of being an adult violin beginner: Rachael Ridge
10 tips on how to stay motivated as an adult beginner violin student
What are your experiences and challenges as an adult learner? Let us know at thestrad@thestrad.com
Check out thestrad.com for the latest news, articles and reviews on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.
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Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Episode 102: teaching students to teach themselves with cellist Laurence Lesser
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
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 Larry’s 85th Birthday and 50 Years at the Conservatory with a concert at Jordan Hall on 13 November at 7:30pm with pianist Minsoo Sohn. From October to May, Larry will also be curating First Mondays at Jordan Hall, a concert series featuring musical friends and NEC alumni. Each concert is free and open to the public with online RSVP. Find out more here: https://necmusic.edu/concerts
Check out thestrad.com for the latest news, articles and reviews on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.
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Bloch - Schelomo (Solomon), Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra
Laurence Lesser, cello / NEC Philharmonia / Hugh Wolff, music director and conductor
Fauré - Après un rêve
Laurence Lesser, cello / HaeSun Paik, piano
Photo credit: Carlin Ma
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Episode 101: inside the Zemtsov viola dynasty with Dana and Mikhail Zemtsov
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
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 album with pianists Anna Federova and Borys Federov will be out on 3 November 2023 on Channel Classics. Find out more here: https://lnk.to/fathersdaughters
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Cielito Lindo (arr. Dana Zemtzov)
Dana Zemtsov, Mikhail Zemtzov, violas
Fathers and Daughters
Channel Classics
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Episode 100: Cheng² Duo on new works for cello and piano
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
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 in New York, both siblings joined online editor Davina for a conversation recently about the choices behind their album’s programming, how music can be used to celebrate heritage, diversity and representation, as well as doing justice to traditional Chinese instruments on the cello and piano. Plus, the two share details of what music-making was like during their childhood in Canada.
Check out thestrad.com for the latest news, articles and reviews on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.
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Racing Horses/Sai Ma (赛马) by Huang Haihuai
Cheng2 Duo
Bryan Cheng, cello / Silvie Cheng, piano
Portrait
Centrediscs
Photo credit: Andrej Grilc
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Episode 99: how to lead a string section with violist Daniel Foster
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
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 National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC in 1993 and was appointed to principal viola in 1995 – sitting next to his father who was associate principal! As he reaches an important milestone of 30 years with the NSO, he shares his approach and philosophy on leading a string section.
Check out thestrad.com for the latest news, articles and reviews on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.
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Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Episode 98: finding new double bass repertoire with Valentina Ciardelli
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
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 news, articles and reviews on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.
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Che puoi Farmi, non ti temo - fantasia su La Rondine per 2 Contrabbassi
Valentina Ciardelli, Manuel dell'Oglio - double basses
Photo credit: Juno Snowden/ Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Episode 97: Pavel Berman on playing Oistrakh’s Stradivari violin
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
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 instrument, how it compares to other Strads and Guarneris he’s played before, and how the sound of the violin lends itself to Shostakovich.
Pavel Berman and Maria Meerovitch’s album Passacaglia will be released on Orchid Classics on 6 October 2023, featuring violin sonatas by Shostakovich and Respighi.
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II – Allegretto
Violin Sonata op.134
Dmitri Shostakovich
Pavel Berman, violin / Maria Meerovitch, piano
Passagcalia
Orchid Classics ORC100262
Photo credit: Franco Monti
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Episode 96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
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 string playing. Register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards.
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I: Allegro non troppo
III: Allegro molto
Bartok – Violin Concerto no.2 Sz.112
Christian Tetzlaff, violin / Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra / Hannu Lintu
Ondine
Photo credit: Giorgia Bertazzi