The Strad Podcast

Episode 39: Kronos Quartet’s David Harrington on musical activism

The Kronos Quartet are no strangers to musical activism, using their creative collaborative powers to speak out against injustices of the world, shine a light on forgotten voices and spread the message of peace and hope through their music-making.

Founding violinist David Harrington speaks about the work Mỹ Lai by Jonathan Berger, a work inspired by the previously unspoken story of American soldier Hugh Thompson who saved numerous civilian lives during the 1968 massacre in Vietnam. In light of recent global events, David speaks about the power musicians hold and must harness to share critical messages, as well as how nearly 50 years of the Kronos Quartet have shaped his life.

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Mỹ Lai Lullaby

Mỹ Lai – Music by Jonathan Berger and Libretto by Harriet Scott Chessman

Kronos Quartet / Vân-ÁnhVõ / Rinde Eckert

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Photo courtesy of Kronos Performing Arts Association

Episode 38: Eldbjørg Hemsing on Norwegian music

Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing presents our April 2022 Masterclass on Grieg’s Violin Sonata no.2. She chats to online editor Davina Shum about the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of traditional Norwegian music, including the distinctive Hardanger fiddle, as well as the importance of active performing and conversation to keep folk traditions alive.

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Grieg - Violin Sonata no.2 in G major op. 13

 III Allegretto animato

Eldbjørg Hemsing, violin / Simon Trpčeski, piano

Grieg: The Violin Sonatas

BIS Records BIS-2456 SACD

 

Borgström – Violin Concerto in G major op.25

II Adagio

Eldbjørg Hemsing, violin / Vienna Symphony / Olari Elts

Borgström & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos

BIS Records BIS-2366 SACD

 

Photo credit: Nikolai Lund

Episode 37: Paris Andrew from Women in Lutherie

Women in Lutherie aims to create a safe, open space for women and female-identifying luthiers to empower women and girls at the bench worldwide. Founded by Jennifer Creadick and Jeemin Kim during the pandemic as a series of online Zoom chats, the group has since expanded to continue making space and support for women in the industry. Florence-based luthier Paris Andrew spoke to online editor Davina Shum about the shared experiences of female luthiers that drives the motivation for the group, as well as why the community is necessary and the group’s plans for the future.

Website: https://www.womeninlutherie.org/

Instagram @womeninlutherie

 

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Episode 36: Coco Tomita on forging a solo career during the pandemic

Coco Tomita is a rising star in the violin world. A former semi-finalist in the BBC Young Musician competition in 2020, she is currently studying at the University for Music Hanns Eisler in Berlin. Having recently released her debut album Origins on Orchid Classics, she reminisces about performing in 2020 with the pandemic just around the corner, as well as the challenges she faced while forging a solo career over the last two years.

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Lili Boulanger: Two pieces for violin and piano

I - Nocturne

Francis Poulenc: Sonata for violin and piano

I – Allegro con fuoco

Coco Tomita, violin / Simon Callaghan, piano

Origins

Orchid Classics ORC100194

Episode 35: Philippe Quint on new ways to programme music

Violinist Philippe Quint speaks to online editor Davina Shum about new ways of programming and presenting music, through exploration of the music of Charlie Chaplin and Astor Piazzolla. He speaks about how his shows employ multimedia and narration to enhance story telling through music.

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Smile: Theme from ‘Modern Times’

Charlie Chaplin’s Smile: Song Arrangements for Violin & Piano

Philippe Quint, Joshua Bell, violins / Marta Aznavoorian, piano

Warner Classics 2-585381

Photo credit: John Gress

Episode 34: Maria Ioudenitch on her competition success

Winner of both the Tibor Varga and Joseph Joachim International Violin Competitions in 2021, violinist Maria Ioudenitch speaks to online editor Davina Shum about her recent competition success. Maria shares how she prepares to keep match-fit for competition performances, both musically and mentally. She shares how she deals with performance nerves, offering advice to young musicians starting out on dealing with the pressures of competing. Plus we hear about her exciting plans and ambitions for the future.
Maria was born in Russia, moving to Kansas City at the age of three. She studied at the International Center for Music at Park University, in Kansas City with Ben Sayevich, the Curtis Institute of Music with Pamela Frank and Shmuel Ashkenasi and the New England Conservatory with Miriam Fried.

 

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Ysaÿe: Sonata no.5 for Solo Violin in G major

II Danse rustique

Maria Ioudenitch, violin

Photo credit: Jenny Chou

Episode 33: Louise Lansdown and Njabulo Nxumalo on the Arco project

Founder of the Arco Project Louise Lansdown and double bass student Njabulo Nxumalo speak to online editor Davina Shum about the long-distance teaching partnership between Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music in Soweto, South Africa. Louise shares her vision for the project, as well as the challenges and importance of the scheme, while 21-year-old Njabulo shares his first-hand experiences of growing up with the project, from starting on the violin, to winning competitions and studying double bass at Stellenbosch University.

 

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Episode 32: Rachel Barton Pine and Billy Childs on a new violin concerto

Violinist Rachel Barton Pine and composer Billy Childs speak about working together in collaboration in the lead-up to the premiere performance of Billy’s Violin Concerto no.2, which will be performed on 12 February with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Michael Butterman. Listen to Billy’s inspiration for the piece, his way of writing for strings as a pianist, Rachel’s approach to working with a living composer and her love of exploring sonority.

 

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Rachel Barton Pine performs Prelude and Allegro from Billy Childs’ Four Portraits: https://youtu.be/_kUBecSkJ1Q?t=227

 

Incident on Lapenteur Avenue

Blues Dialogues: Music by Black Composers

Rachel Barton Pine, violin / Matthew Hagle, piano

Cedille Records

CDR 90000 182

 

Photo credit for Rachel Barton Pine: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Episode 31: Nils Mönkemeyer on Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Violist Nils Mönkemeyer speaks about Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante - including his collaboration with long-time friend and musical colleague Julia Fischer and the blend of solo and chamber roles in the piece. Nils also shares his thoughts on playing the viola part scordatura, as well as the time he had the chance to play Mozart's viola!

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https://tickets.lpo.org.uk/events/sinfonia-concertante

https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/nils-m%C3%B6nkemeyer-vivaldi-rolla-tartini-paganini-sciarrino/12643.article

 

Paganini: Sonata for gran viola & orchestra in C minor, MS 70

Vivaldi - Paganini - Tartini

Nils Mönkemeyer, viola /  L'arte del mondo /Werner Ehrhardt

Sony 19439730032 

Photo credit: Irène Zandel

Episode 30: Sean Lee on performing Paganini Caprices

Violinist Sean Lee chats to online editor Davina Shum about performing all 24 Paganini Caprices... in one concert! Listen to how he has prepared for such a mammoth undertaking, including how the task is like training for a marathon; Sean's personal challenges with the Caprices, and performing them with pianist Peter Dugan.

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Paganini X Schumann

Caprice no.21

Sean Lee, violin / Peter Dugan, piano