The Strad Podcast

Episode 59: Charlie Siem on Beethoven

Violinist Charlie Siem chats to online editor Davina Shum about the Beethoven Violin Concerto and the two Romances, which he has recently recorded on Signum Classics. He speaks about how he first encountered the works, what’s going on in his head during the orchestral introduction to the concerto, plus how he deals with Beethoven’s sometimes gnarly pianistic writing.

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Violin Concerto in D major op.61

Ludwig van Beethoven

I: Allegro ma non troppo

III: Rondo. Allegro

Charlie Siem, violin / Philharmonia Orchestra / Oleg Caetani, conductor

Signum Classics

SIGCD704

Episode 58: Bjarte Eike on the Playhouse Sessions

Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike, with his group the Barokksolistene, created the Alehouse Sessions in 2017, which is now being followed up by the Playhouse Sessions. It takes inspiration from music-making scenes in 17th century England, during the times straddling Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth and the Restoration of the Monarchy with King Charles II.

Bjarte and his colleagues create a show environment that is not just about the music, but embraces high-risk creativity as well as making mistakes. He also speaks about the importance of live audiences, including how Bjarte uses booze to bring the audience into his curated alehouse environment.

Bjarte and the Barokksolistene will appear in Purcell’s Playhouse and The Alehouse Sessions Double Bill at the Southbank Centre on 23 September. More information can be found here.

The Jolly Pilgrim

Can She Excuse Puck’s Wrongs

Bjarte Eike, violin/director / Barokksolistene

The Playhouse Sessions

Rubicon Classics

Photo credit: Ivan Korč

 

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Episode 57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet

Augustin Hadelich has a new album out now, called Recuerdos – featuring works by Sarasate, Prokofiev, Britten and Tarrega, brought together, perhaps surprisingly, by a Spanish theme. Augustin explains what draws these pieces together.

The piece that gives the album its name, Recuerdos de la Alhambra features some rather impressive ricochet bowing on Augustin’s recording. If you struggle with ricochet – let’s be honest, who doesn’t? – then listen out for Augustin’s thoughts and approaches to this technique. 

Read Augustin's interview on recording Suzuki repertoire: https://bit.ly/3o4gQPy

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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Britten Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.15 - II. Vivace - Animando – Largamento

Augustin Hadelich, violin / WDR Symphonie Orchestra / Christian Măcelaru, conductor

 

Tarrega - Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Arranged by Ricci)

Augustin Hadelich, violin

Recuerdos

Warner Classics

 

Photo credit: Suxiao Yang

Episode 56: Richard Markson on teaching tone and sound

Celebrating our education-themed September 2022 magazine, online editor Davina Shum chats to pedagogue and cellist Richard Markson about how to teach the concept of sound and tone.

Richard is a former student of cello greats Paul Tortelier and Pierre Fournier, and holds a senior fellowship at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. He speaks about the importance of singing, organic movement, and listening to a range of music – not just string players! – in an effort to communicate tricky concepts across to students. 

Find our September 2022 magazine here

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Episode #55: Time For Three on triple concertos

Comprising violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang, and double bassist Ranaan Meyer, Time For Three joins online editor Davina Shum for a conversation about triple concertos. How does the group maintain the synergy of a chamber ensemble against the backdrop of a symphonic orchestra?

In light of commissioned works by Pulitzer-winning composers Kevin Puts and Jennifer Higdon, Nick, Charles and Ranaan share their approaches towards working together, as well as remotely during the pandemic, plus the boys share their favourite string techniques implemented on their new album Letters for the Future. 

Time For Three will perform Kevin Puts’s Contact on 28 July with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Erina Yashima at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. More information can be found here 

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II: Codes (Scherzo)

Contact – Kevin Puts

Letters for the Future

Time For Three / Philadelphia Orchestra / Xian Zhang

Deutsche Grammophon

Episode 54: Timothy Chooi on playing Strads

Most people are considered lucky if they get to play a Strad in their lifetime. Violinist Timothy Chooi is lucky enough to have been granted use of two Stradivari instruments within a decade! In 2015 he was loaned the 1717 ‘Windsor-Weinstein’ Stradivari from the Canada Council for the Arts, which he played up until this year, when he was loaned the 1709 ‘Engelman’ Strad from the Nippon Foundation.

Using various analogies, Timothy speaks about his experiences playing these fine instruments, including how despite their mystical status, it’s not always smooth sailing. He also shares how playing old instruments informs his playing of modern instruments and vice versa.

Timothy will appear in recital with pianist Julien Quentin at the Verbier Festival on 28 July. More information can be found here: https://www.verbierfestival.com/show/mainstage-2022-07-28-1600/

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Sunshine on Tashkurgan

Chen Gang (1935-)

Timothy Chooi, violin / Michelle Cann, piano

Photo credit: Den Sweeney

Episode 53: David Finckel and Wu Han on creating inspiration

Partners in life and in music David Finckel and Wu Han speak about chamber music and sharing of musical experiences as they celebrate 20 years of Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival and Institute, of which they are artistic directors. With artistic integrity at the fore, they speak about inspiring the next generation of musical pioneers with the mentality that nothing is impossible.

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Read about Menlo alumna Gloria Chien here: https://www.thestrad.com/news/husband-and-wife-duo-receive-2021-cms-award-for-extraordinary-service-to-chamber-music/13919.article

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Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor op.65

III: Largo

David Finckel, cello / WuHan, piano

Photo credit: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Episode 52: Carolin Widmann on 1000 years of violin repertoire

Violinist Carolin Widmann covers 1000 years of repertoire in her latest album, L’Aurore, including works by Hildegard von Bingen, J.S. Bach, Ysaye, Enescu and George Benjamin. She speaks to online editor Davina Shum about what all these pieces have in common, including finding freedom within the form with such diversity of pieces. Carolin speaks about the importance of singing in achieving free, musical communication, and how the different ways composers use musical notation can achieve surprisingly similar results.

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J.S. Bach: Partita no.2 in D minor BWV 1004 - Allemanda

L’Aurore

Carolin Widmann, violin

ECM 2709

Photo credit: Lennard Rühle / ECM Records

Episode #51: John-Henry Crawford on Latin American music

American cellist John-Henry Crawford chats to online editor and fellow cellist Davina Shum about Latin American music. John-Henry, or JH has recently released an album called Corazón, featuring music by Villa Lobos, Piazzolla, Ponce, Gismonti and more. He spoke about how his passion for Latin American music was ignited, how JH’s experience learning the Spanish language has informed the way he approaches these pieces musically, as well as how cellists need to adapt when playing with a classical guitarist. 

Here's JH and JiJi's video performance of Água e Vinho: https://www.thestrad.com/video/new-video-john-henry-crawford-and-jiji-perform-agua-e-vinho/15040.article 

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.

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Manuel Ponce - Estrellita
Arranged by JIJI / Jascha Heifetz

Carlos Guastavino (1912-2000) – Pampamapa

John-Henry Crawford, cello / Victor Santiago Asuncion, piano / JIJI, guitar

Corazón

Orchid Classics ORC100198

 

Photo credit: Lindsay Adler

Episode 50: Itamar Zorman on violin globetrotting

It's our 50th episode! Thank you to everyone who's tuned in so far!

Our latest episode features violinist Itamar Zorman. He speaks about a musical odyssey that explores repertoire from Israel, Sudan, New Zealand, Mexico and many more countries, plus how playing unknown global repertoire informs his playing of classic violin repertoire. 

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Wanderings – Moshe Zorman

Violin Odyssey

Itamar Zorman, violin / Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano

First Hand Records FHR119

Photo credit: Jamie Jung