The Strad Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 109: the importance of a positive mindset with cellist Maja Bogdanović Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

Maja Bogdanović is no stranger to a busy life – she enjoys an international solo and chamber career as well as collaborations with regular musical partners, including her husband the violinist Daniel Rowland. Maja’s shared her thoughts with us previously on thestrad.com about travelling not only with a cello, but also with a small child. How does Maja stay on top of things? She and fellow cellist Davina Shum chatted about strategies for keeping an ideal mindset when you’ve got a busy career, including looking after your mental and physical health, as well as having a caring community around you, to avoid burnout and stress.

Do you have a particular strategy or mantra that you employ to avoid burnout and stress? Send an email to thestrad@thestrad.com.

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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Cello Concerto No. 1- Op. 33 - I. Allegro non troppo

The Carnival of the Animals- R. 125 - The Swan

Camille Saint-Saëns

Lalo • Saint-Saëns

Maja Bogdanović, cello / RTS Symphony Orchestra / Bojan Sudjić

Challenge Classics CC 72949

Episode 108: In search of authenticity: exploring Brahms's Violin Sonata no.2 with Daniel Kurganov Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

If you’ve got a copy of our new February 2024 issue, (or seen it online) you would’ve seen our Masterclass feature on the first movement of Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.2, op.100 with violinist Daniel Kurganov. The interview for the Masterclass feature was just a tiny part of a larger conversation that, in addition to Daniel’s musical and technical advice on the work, included his wider thoughts on historical performance and the meaning of authenticity.

Have a listen to an excerpt online editor Davina's interview with Daniel, which starts off with him giving a bit of historical context on the piece that he has recorded and released recently with pianist Constantine Finehouse, on their album The Brahms Age.

Watch: Video premiere: Brahms Violin Sonatas on authentic instruments

Read: Daniel Kurganov: on starting the violin at age 16

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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Brahms Violin Sonata no.2 in A major op.100

I: Allegro amabile

Daniel Kurganov, violin / Constantine Finehouse, piano

The Brahms Age

Hänssler Classic

Episode 107: back to basics with cellist Gabriel Schwabe Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

In our quest for virtuosic brilliance and flair in our music making, as string players, sometimes we forget that coming back to basics is important for solving many problems in our playing and performance. Many people to get distracted by the complexities of a particular obstacle, or perhaps try and tackle too many problems at once, leading to a sensory overload. Or perhaps overcoming challenges in string playing is so overwhelming and anxiety-inducing that you don’t know where to start!

Here to chat with online editor Davina in this episode is cellist Gabriel Schwabe, who is also a cello professor in Cologne and Maastricht. He advocates an awareness or ‘scanning’ of one’s playing and set-up, to pinpoint simple ways to solve problems and unlock one’s playing potential. He shares his favourite strategies, provides a few examples of how basic things have helped his playing and his students, as well as some useful exercises to stay on top of his playing.

Read Gabriel's Q&A on Bridge's 'Oration' Cello Concerto and his listening guide on the piece.

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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IV: Allegro giusto

Bridge: Oration – Concerto elegiaco for cello and orchestra

Gabriel Schwabe, cello / ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Christopher Ward

NAXOS 8.574320

Photo credit: Studio Monbijou

Episode 106: 3D learning and creative teaching with violinist Rachel Cooper Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

Rachel Cooper is a violin teacher who was recently awarded the Emerging Artist Award given by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the 2023 Women in Classical Music Symposium. She’s a Suzuki teacher, a violin and chamber music coach at Junior Guildhall and works for Nicola Benedetti’s education initiative, the Benedetti Foundation. As part of her award and her continuing professional development, Rachel is planning to put her teaching approaches into a book, to help inspire music teachers to inject a little bit of magic into their lessons.

What’s so distinctive about Rachel’s teaching? Rachel speaks to online editor Davina about the concept of ‘3D learning’ and creative teaching – emphasising an all-round approach to music, including how something feels and sounds – not just how something looks – to embed information in a way that students understand and ultimately unlock students’ progress. She speaks about how tailoring her teaching methods to students gives you skills to become a better and more effective teacher.

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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Visit Rachel’s website: https://rachelcooperviolin.com/

Photo credit: The Shannons Photography

Episode 105: active string teaching and learning with violinist Mahaliah Edwards Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Violinist Mahaliah Edwards spoke to online editor Davina recently about her approaches to teaching students in a wide range of scenarios, which call for actively involving pupils in music making and learning, and with Mahaliah taking on the role of ‘being the teacher that she would’ve like to have had.’ Perhaps you’re a string teacher interested in hearing some ways to inject inspiration into lessons, particularly after a holiday break, or when students seem to become disinterested – Mahaliah shares her ideas behind music lessons with a broad perspective, and how teachers can also learn from their pupils.

Visit Mahaliah's website: mahaliaedwards.com

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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Photo credit: Olivia Davy-Hoffman

Episode 104: Brescia vs Cremona with luthier Linda Lespets Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

The city of Cremona is revered as being the historical birthplace and home of the violin and violin making, with luthiers today still emulating the models of Stradivari, Guarneri and the like. But what about the makers in nearby Brescia? Despite being geographically close, the city of Brescia has a remarkably different story, producing instruments and makers with their own distinct style.

Here to shine a light on Brescian instrument making is Sydney-based luthier Linda Lespets, who puts into historical context what life was like for makers such as da Salo, Maggini and Rogeri and what influenced the choices they made when making their instruments.

Linda is the host of The Violin Chronicles podcast - check it out here.

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.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB

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Episode 103: adult learner mindset with violinist Rachael Ridge Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

The topic of adult beginners and adult learners is one that resonates with many readers of The Strad. Here to chat with online editor Davina about the mindset of adult students is violinist and teacher Rachael Ridge, who has written extensively on the subject for thestrad.com. She’s the founder of the Adult Violin Academy and speaks about her experience teaching adults – particularly as adults will approach learning an instrument very differently from a child.

She speaks about the importance of growth and progression, having a community, not being afraid to make mistakes and to take risks, as well as other factors, that will help adult learners on their musical journey.

Find out more about Rachael here and her Adult Violin Academy Facebook group here.

Check out some of Rachael's blogs below.

The dark side of being an adult violin beginner: Rachael Ridge

10 tips on how to stay motivated as an adult beginner violin student

What are your experiences and challenges as an adult learner? Let us know at thestrad@thestrad.com

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.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB

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Episode 102: teaching students to teach themselves with cellist Laurence Lesser Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

This year, cellist Laurence Lesser celebrates his 85th birthday, as well as 50 years at the New England Conservatory, where he is president emeritus. His numerous students appear in concert halls, orchestras, teaching studios and more around the world. He speaks to online editor Davina about his teaching methods and approaches, including the ‘what, why and how’ of cello playing, plus how teaching has informed his playing throughout the years.

The New England Conservatory will celebrate Larry’s 85th Birthday and 50 Years at the Conservatory with a concert at Jordan Hall on 13 November at 7:30pm with pianist Minsoo Sohn. From October to May, Larry will also be curating First Mondays at Jordan Hall, a concert series featuring musical friends and NEC alumni. Each concert is free and open to the public with online RSVP. Find out more here: https://necmusic.edu/concerts

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.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB

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Bloch - Schelomo (Solomon), Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra

Laurence Lesser, cello / NEC Philharmonia / Hugh Wolff, music director and conductor

Fauré - Après un rêve

Laurence Lesser, cello / HaeSun Paik, piano

Photo credit: Carlin Ma

Episode 101: inside the Zemtsov viola dynasty with Dana and Mikhail Zemtsov Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Hailing from a family of viola players are Dana and Mikhail Zemtsov. Ahead of the release of their album Fathers and Daughters, the Zemtsovs spoke with me about being part of a viola dynasty. How did this collective of violists come about? What makes a typical violist? The duo share how the family is united by instrument, as well as painting a picture of life home in a viola household, plus what it’s like to work professionally with your family members

The Zemtsovs's Fathers and Daughters album with pianists Anna Federova and Borys Federov will be out on 3 November 2023 on Channel Classics. Find out more here: https://lnk.to/fathersdaughters

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.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB

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Cielito Lindo (arr. Dana Zemtzov)

Dana Zemtsov, Mikhail Zemtzov, violas

Fathers and Daughters

Channel Classics

Episode 100: Cheng² Duo on new works for cello and piano Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Recent visitors to thestrad.com may have noticed a video that premiered called Racing Horses, featuring a spirited performance from the cello and piano Cheng2 Duo, comprising siblings Bryan Cheng on cello and Silvie Cheng on piano. Racing Horses features on their upcoming album Portrait, which contains works by composers of Asian heritage, as well as two arrangements of Chinese folk songs, Racing Horses being one of them.

In an international operation that involved Bryan in Romania and Silvie in New York, both siblings joined online editor Davina for a conversation recently about the choices behind their album’s programming, how music can be used to celebrate heritage, diversity and representation, as well as doing justice to traditional Chinese instruments on the cello and piano. Plus, the two share details of what music-making was like during their childhood in Canada.

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.

Student discount! Get 50% off an online subscription! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3eQ75AB

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Racing Horses/Sai Ma (赛马) by Huang Haihuai

Cheng2 Duo

Bryan Cheng, cello / Silvie Cheng, piano

Portrait

Centrediscs

Photo credit: Andrej Grilc