Search

The article offers the insights of violin making teachers on the characteristics they expect from their students. Hans Rudolf Hösli of Geigenbauschule Brienz states the student qualities he looks such as skillful hands and patience. Elisa Scrollavezza of Parma School of Violin Making says that concentration and observation are also important. Moreover, violin making teacher Dominique Nicosia claims nonstop learning of teachers and students as the most important lesson in violin making.

The article focuses on the move of luthiers to cater economic and environmental factors in choosing timber for instruments. Steffen Nowak, a graduate of the Welsh School of Violin Making in Bristol, England, says that viola and lute makers use local wood for component. It notes that in the 1970's, the European wood was better than American, but it was disproved by Karl Roy. It cites that luthiers are threatened by the demand of wood in the Far East and China.

The article presents a profile of the cellist Christophe Coin, highlighting his musical repertoire specializing in both late Romantic string quartets and solo baroque works by Antonio Vivaldi. Details are given describing his string quartet ensemble Concentus Musicus Wien as well as his own solo career. Comments by Coin are included describing his joys and frustrations as a professional musician.

The article presents a profile and interview with the Canadian violinist James Ehnes. An overview of Ehnes' career in music performance is given, highlighting its effect on his showmanship and professional attitudes. The author focuses on Ehnes' practicality in musical interpretation and performance, citing the importance of being relaxed rather than overly strict to specific schools of thought.

The article presents a profile of the British chamber music ensemble the Sacconi Quartet, made up of Cara Berridge, Hannah Dawson, Robin Ashwell and Ben Hancox. Details are given describing the group's history and professional progress, citing published recordings, competition awards, and volunteer performances in various capacities, highlighting their work as educators and performers of new music.

The article profiles the Endellion Quartet as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. The string quartet's activities during 2008 are discussed and its development since its founding in 1979 are explored. The practices observed by members of the group during rehearsals and concerts are presented and the business aspects of the organization are examined.

The article offers information on the things learned by past winners of Cremona Trienniale Competition for participating in the contest in Cremona, Italy in 2009. Canadian stringed instruments maker Raymond Schryer states that the competition acknowledges good style and how all the elements work. Maker David Gusset says that the competition challenges a maker to produce an instrument that is elegant and beautiful to look at.

The article examines the plight of the symphony ensemble Ulster Orchestra in Northern Ireland following its call for emergency funding. It mentions that the orchestra is faced with finding an emergency funding of £500,000 or forced to close by the end of 2014. It notes that the art organisation has no chief executive since March after Rosa Solinas resigned. It also emphasizes that one of the orchestra's financial woes is the cost of renting the Ulster Hall as its home venue.

The article focuses on how the music education hubs in England, announced by the Great Britain Department for Education (DfE) in November 2011 as part of its National Plan for Music Education (NPME), were in serious doubts. Topics include the inspection of the Great Britain Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) in November 2013, the proposed reduction of funding to music services, and the Protect Music Education campaign launched by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM).

The article focuses on the implication of study regarding the cultural value of El Sistema Projects in Norwich, England to Venezuelan musical education programmes. According to research leader Mark Rimmer of University of East Anglia, the study is intended to develop a framework for better understanding of cultural engagement. Moreover, it mentions that the study will also determine the social impact and benefits of the El Sistema schemes.

The article explores the perils of performance overload on young instrumentalists. Physiotherapist Drusilla Redma says that pressure on musicians can be severe as huge expectations are expected to them. Psychological stress experienced by young soloists is considered to be as great as physical strain. Artist manager Sinead O'Carroll emphasizes the risk of burning out for everyone.

The article reviews the music release "David Oistrakh," by Lydia Mordkovitch.

The article focuses on the impact of download market to record companies. It states that the sales of classical recordings declined by about 15% which only accounts 3.2% percent of the Great Britain's total market while classical music in the U.S. market declined in 2007 to 2009, losing 33 million of compact disc (CD) buyers. AB Fable founder Anthony Barnett worries the abandonment of booklet notes by retailers and labels as the demand for downloads increases, however, he acknowledges MP3s.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the authors' experience of studying and teaching cello as mother and son.