The Strad Podcast

What do NBA basketball and cello choir have in common? Cellist and basketball enthusiast Amit Peled shares the educational and professional benefits of playing in an ensemble where all members play the same instrument, as demonstrated in his Mount Vernon Virtuosi CelloGang.   Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to...

Cellist Jan Vogler speaks about the magic of music festivals. As artistic and general director of the Dresden Music Festival, he shares how early memories of the Marlboro Music Festival are linked to special moments in his life, how he hopes to create an environment where ideas, culture and friendships are cultivated, as well as why concert programmers should look to the youth of today when explor...

In a week where we explore how musicians are affected by environmental issues, violinist Kerenza Peacock speaks about how musicians share similar qualities to trees – including the ability to communicate widely without words and the benefits of a constructive, collaborative community. Using connection through music, Kerenza was recently responsible for coordinating a video of 94 violinists from 29...

Cellist Ani Aznavoorian shares the significance of playing music that celebrates and commemorates her Armenian culture. As well as continuing her cultural heritage through music, Ani also speaks about doing so in another way, as the proud player of a cello crafted by her father Peter Aznavoorian. On 15 May 2022, the Music Institute of Chicago Presents The Aznavoorian Duo in Gems from Armenia - a c...

Cambridge-based cellist, teacher, music consultant, author and editor Naomi Yandell has written extensively on aspects of string teaching, including Trinity sightreading books, Take your bow and Top Banana: 20 performance pieces with attitude for young string players with Celia Cobb and numerous Opinion pieces for The Strad, including her latest article in the April 2022 issue. She chats to fellow...

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 soldie...

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. Check out thestrad.com for the latest new...

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 Davin...

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...

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. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and su...

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 o...

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...

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 wi...

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! Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on al...

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. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do...

New year online subscription sale! Get 20% off with the code PODCAST2022 here: https://bit.ly/3nCuGc9 Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here:  https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB  Violinist Julia Fischer speaks to online editor Davina Shum about the Mozart Violin Concertos. Find out which one she performed first, as well as her favourite, plus her approaches to teaching the wor...

In this exclusive interview with The Strad, violinist Alexandra Conunova shares the traumatic and harrowing story of when her 1785 Guadagnini violin was seized by Moldovan customs officials at Chisinau airport. Hear in her own words what happened on that day, the lengths she went to in order to get her violin back, and what she has learned from the experience. Check out thestrad.com for the latest...

Kian Soltani shares his thoughts on Shostakovich’s epic Cello Concerto no.1 in conversation with online editor Davina Shum. He speaks about his initial inspiration for working on the piece, unexpected challenges that arise when performing, as well as why cellists need to regard themselves as athletes, especially during the holiday season. Kian’s LPO concert: https://tickets.lpo.org.uk/events/11958...

Alun Thomas is a UK-based violinist, writer and Alexander Technique specialist. Alongside his feature Thoughts That Count in the January 2022 issue of The Strad, he spoke with online editor Davina Shum about his first encounter with Alexander Technique, as well as the basic, fundamental principles that string players can employ, including physical awareness, lengthening, ease and mindfulness. Find...

At only 15 years of age, violinist Leia Zhu began her role as artist in residence with the London Mozart Players in October 2021. She speaks with online editor Davina Shum about her life balancing travelling, performance and school work, as well as her work with LMP's education and community outreach programmes to bring classical music to a wider audience. Check out thestrad.com for the latest new...

Violinist Caroline Pether is the leader of Manchester Camerata and teaches at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She speaks with online editor Davina Shum about the joy of playing in chamber orchestras – including how leading an ensemble is much like being a film director, allowing individual musicians to exercise freedom of expression within a clear overall vision, as well as Caroline’s favourite pi...

Cellist Pablo Ferrández speaks to fellow cellist Davina Shum about Classical cello concertos ahead of his European tour with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He speaks about the Classical style, his instrument set up, choosing musical editions, as well as travelling with a cello during the time of Covid. Find out more about Pablo’s London and European performances in early December. Check o...

Violinist Chad Hoopes chats to online editor Davina Shum about his approaches to teaching and learning as professor of practice in violin at Meadows School of Arts, Southern Methodist University. He speaks about teaching students who major in various disciplines in an environment that encourages a broad, liberal arts education. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things...

Double bassist Leon Bosch speaks with online editor Davina Shum about the life and works of Giovanni Bottesini, in the year celebrating the bicentenary of his birth. Revered in bass circles as a revolutionary, Bottesini was also a renowned performer, composer and conductor in his day. Leon will be performing works by Bottesini on 7 December at Wigmore Hall, as well as at ‘Bottesini Day’ at Trinity...

Following publication of his new book The Bach Cello Suites: A Companion, cellist Steven Isserlis spoke to online editor Davina Shum about consulting various musical sources, from different editions to manuscripts. Steven also speaks about making bowing and fingering suggestions for the new Henle edition of the Dvořák cello concerto, and how musicians need to make an informed choice for their pref...