The Strad Podcast

Episode 99: how to lead a string section with violist Daniel Foster

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.

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Episode 98: finding new double bass repertoire with Valentina Ciardelli

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.

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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

Episode 97: Pavel Berman on playing Oistrakh’s Stradivari violin

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

Episode 96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2

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.

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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

 

Episode 95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger

Violinist Rachel Podger is no stranger to the pages of The Strad magazine, having featured in several articles and reviews throughout her prolific career. Ahead of her busy upcoming season, which sees her as artist in focus at London’s Kings Place, artistic director of Brecon Baroque Festival, a recording release of the Goldberg Variations, plus principal guest directorships with Tafelmusik in future seasons, Rachel makes her first appearance in the podcast to speak about the tools of her trade – including how she met her 1739 Pesarini/Pazarini violin, other instruments she’s met throughout her career, plus an explosive anecdote about a gut E-string. 

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Bach Toccata and Fugue

Tutta Sola

Rachel Podger, violin

Channel Classics

Episode 94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley

Cellist Matthew Barley spoke to Davina recently about Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, or Transfigured Night – a piece which is so epically challenging and takes the players and listeners on an emotional journey.

Matthew speaks about bringing other disciplines of theatre, electronics, dance and lighting to present a theatrical version of the work, which will be performed with the Mullova Ensemble in October.

The programme will be performed at Milton Court (London) on 18 October and Turner Sims (Southampton) on 19 October 2023.

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Photo credit: Marcus Tate

Episode 93: creative storytelling with cellist Alexander Hersh

You may have seen a video premiere on thestrad.com last week of a film called Absinthe featuring cellist Alexander Hersh. Absinthe is more than a film series – it’s also an album of music featuring works that were written before the European ban of the highly alcoholic drink, the music from which provides the soundtrack to a crazy narrative that sees Alexander being haunted by a cello-shaped bottle of green liquid. Alexander speaks to online editor Davina about combining film making, editing, directing, acting – not to mention music making – in collaboration with some close friends to build a creative form of storytelling that provides numerous access points for a wide range of audiences, as well as what classical music can learn from other creative industries.

Watch the first instalment of Absinthe here.

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Scriabin Poem, Op. 32, No. 1 in F-Sharp Major

Alexander Hersh, cello / Victor Santiago Asuncion, piano

Episode 92: remembering violinist Geoff Nuttall of the St. Lawrence String Quartet

The musical world was shaken in October 2022 when news broke out of Geoff Nuttall’s passing. Geoff was the founding first violinist of the St. Lawrence String Quartet, an ensemble that has enchanted audiences worldwide since 1989 and served as ensemble in residence at Stanford University since 1998.

The St. Lawrence’s co-founding violist Lesley Robertson joins online editor Davina in this episode, reminiscing about Geoff – including his incredible energy, his connection with audiences, plus the musical work that is the most fitting musical epitaph, featured in the group’s recent release of Haydn string quartets.

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Haydn String Quartet in B flat major op.76 no.4 ‘Sunrise’ 

I Allegro con spirito

St. Lawrence String Quartet

Phenotypic Recordings

Photo credit: Marco Borggreve

Episode 91: ’The Music Critic’ with violinist Aleksey Igudesman

Coming to US audiences in October is Aleksey Igudesman’s show The Music Critic, which, with a cast of musicians and the actor John Malkovich, combines classical music, comedy and theatre to focus on 'the most horrible reviews of the most beautiful music ever written.'

Aleksey spoke to online editor Davina recently about the ideas behind the show, what we can learn from reviews and critics, as well as how to deal with a bad review. 

Watch the trailer for The Music Critic here

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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Schumann Piano Quartet - Andante cantabile

Dvorak Piano Quintet - Scherzo

Violins: Aleksey Igudesman, So-ock Kim

Viola: Max Baillie

Cello: Tanja Tetzlaff

Piano: Hyung-ki Joo

Episode 90: on the road with the Aizuri Quartet

Gracing the headlines recently is the Aizuri Quartet, which has announced two new members of the ensemble in advance of its busy 2023/24 performing season. The upcoming year sees the quartet performing a range of repertoire around the US. Here to speak with online editor Davina in this episode is violinist Emma Frucht, who shared her insights and strategies for life on the road as a quartet – including how to prepare new works for a tour, ways to cope while travelling, as well as how the quartet makes the most out of its rehearsal time – particularly when time is limited.

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Komitas Vardapet (arr. Sergei Aslamazian) – Armenian Folk Songs

Yergink Ampel A (It's Cloudy)

Earthdrawn Skies

Aizuri Quartet