The Strad Podcast

Sibling duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason chat to online editor Davina Shum about their new collaborative album Muse, featuring the works of Barber and Rachmaninov. They also spoke about why they chose to record this repertoire, how Isata deals with difficult piano parts, as well as how they keep professional and family life separate. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all t...

Violinist and music director of Manchester Collective Rakhi Singh speaks about the challenges of creative processes and finding freedom within form, as well as not being discouraged by temporary setbacks and how landscape can influence sound. 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...

Violinist and president of the Carl Nielsen International Competition Nikolaj Szeps Znaider speaks about his experience of competitions, including what he wishes he knew when he was a contestant, advice to young musicians entering competitions, and his wish to create a positive competition environment, leading to the formation of Espansiva! – an off-stage platform for competition contestants to me...

Classical/R&B fusion cellist and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson speaks about her musical journey, tips on song writing using a string instrument, and the logistics of playing and singing simultaneously. 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. Student discount! Get...

Violinist Jack Liebeck took on a monumental lockdown project – while others were making sourdough or learning new languages, he decided to record all six solo violin sonatas by Ysaÿe. He speaks about his journey to complete this project, the idiomatic nature of Ysaÿe's writing, and which solo sonata he connected to the most. Jack's new recording is released on 8 October 2021 on Orchid Classics. Ch...

Cellist Nicolas Altstaedt speaks to online editor Davina Shum about the Lutosławski cello concerto – a piece which is quickly becoming performed more and more since Rostropovich’s premiere in 1970. Nicolas talks about his approach to learning the complexity of the score, tricky technical passages and the liberation of playing a contemporary work. Nicolas performs this work on 1 October with the Lo...

Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier is a violinist and high-performance coach for musicians. In this episode about performance anxiety and nerves, she spoke with online editor Davina Shum about self-compassion, assessment vs judgement when playing and dealing with inner battles when the stakes are so high. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Regist...

Ahead of his performance on 23 September at the InClassica International Music Festival in Dubai, violinist Maxim Vengerov chats to online editor Davina Shum about three different pieces of violin repertoire: Tzigane by Ravel, Seascapes by Alexey Shor and Meditation by Massenet. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe...

Violist Jesus Rodolfo chats to online editor Davina Shum about his distinctive instrument – a copy of the 1696 ‘Spanish Court’ Stradivari. Listen to him speak about seeing the original instrument for the first time as a child, intricate details of the instrument, and how playing a modern instrument can benefit one’s playing. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to...

Violinist Joshua Bell chats to online editor Davina Shum about the music of Astor Piazzolla – 2021 being the centenary of the composer’s birth. Ahead of his performance of The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires at the BBC Proms with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Joshua spoke about his experiences playing the music of Piazzolla, taking the music seriously and unexpected string techniques. Check...

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers speaks about commissioning works and cadenzas, pairing the old with the new and how she works closely with composers. Ahead of her premiere performance of 'Fandango' by Arturo Marquez, she speaks about the uniqueness of mariachi style and technique. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and articles on all things to do with string playing. Register and subscribe to...

Ahead of his album release ‘The Four Seasons,’ 13-year-old violinist Christian Li speaks with online editor Davina Shum about his life as a young musician: his practice routine, warm-up exercises, pre-performance routines, as well as what he likes to get up to when he’s not playing the violin. Christian is a student of Dr Robin Wilson, head of violin at the Australian National Academy of Music. Ch...

This episode features Hannah Roberts - principal cellist of Manchester Camerata and professor of cello at Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Academy of Music. She speaks to online editor (and fellow cellist) Davina Shum about incorporating studies and etudes in playing and teaching. Check out thestrad.com for the latest news and discussion on all things to do with string playing. Why not re...

Cellist Johannes Moser chats to online editor Davina Shum about the emotional rollercoaster that is the Elgar Cello Concerto, as well as playing with quality projection and an Olympian setup ahead of his performance at the BBC Proms on 9 August. Check out thestrad.com for all the latest news and discussion on all things to do with string playing. Why not register and subscribe to access exclusive...

Hsin-Yun Huang is a violist on the faculty of the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute of Music. In conversation with The Strad's online editor Davina Shum, she shares her philosophies that help inform her playing and teaching. Hsin-Yun has written an article about the parallels between Chinese calligraphy and string playing, which features in our August 2021 issue. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3...

Violinist and The Strad March 2021 cover star Francesca Dego speaks to Davina Shum about her experiences of playing Paganini's old violin: the Guarneri 'del Gesù' 'Il Cannone'.  Check out thestrad.com for all the latest news and discussion on all things to do with string playing. Why not register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards? Right now we're offering a 50% o...

Violinist Benjamin Baker speaks about performing all six sonatas and partitas by Bach, as well as how playing solo Bach can inform his playing of contemporary works, and vice versa. Check out thestrad.com for all the latest news and discussion on all things to do with string playing. Why not register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards? Find us on social media: Fac...

Cellist Maja Bugge shares her top five tips for teaching improvisation and composition to string players. Check out thestrad.com for all the latest news and discussion on all things to do with string playing. Why not register and subscribe to access exclusive archival content from 2010 onwards? Find us on social media: Facebook.com/thestrad Twitter: @TheStradMag Instagram: @the_strad_ 'Shelter' by...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Strad podcast. Violinist Lisa Batiashvili speaks to online editor of The Strad Davina Shum ahead of her performance of the Sibelius violin concerto for Audi Summer Concerts. Listen to hear Lisa’s personal insights on the piece, advice for violinists new to the piece and what it’s like to perform during a pandemic. Remember to visit thestrad.com for the late...