V.com weekend vote: Do you prefer a wooden or carbon fiber bow?
I'm curious about how everyone's attitudes are evolving (or not evolving!) about carbon fiber bows. Have you ever tried a carbon fiber bow? Do you actually prefer playing on one, or will nothing replace wood for you? If you have students, what is working best for them? Please participate in the vote, and then share your thoughts. Also, if you have thoughts and preferences about particular bows, please share those.
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For the Record, Op. 97: Daniel Lozakovich; Leonidas Kavakos; Gidon Kremer
Welcome to "For the Record," Violinist.com's weekly roundup of new releases of recordings by violinists, violists, cellists and other classical musicians. We hope it helps you keep track of your favorite artists, as well as find some new ones to add to your listening!
None But the Lonely Heart
Daniel Lozakovich, violin
Russian National Philharmonic, Vladimir Spivakov conducting
Stanislav Soloviev, piano
Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich, 18, explores works by Tchaikovsky, including the Violin Concerto, Méditation from Souvenir d'un lieu cher; and arrangements of two vocal works, Lensky’s Aria from Eugene Onegin and Romance, Op.6 No.6, “None But the Lonely Heart”. Lozakovich performs the Concerto with the Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra, with conductor and fellow violinist, Vladimir Spivakov, with whom Lozakovich made his solo debut in 2010. “Playing with Maestro Spivakov and the Russian National Philharmonic, I really felt the Russian soul of their sound," Lozakovich said. "My favorite interpretation of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto has always been Maestro Spivakov’s recording. After the sessions he said to me, ‘I have played this concerto with my personal interpretation for the last 50 years. Now it’s your turn to do the same with this concerto for the next 50 years.’ That meant so much to me. BELOW: From the album, Lozakovich performs "Valse sentimentale. Tempo di Valse" from Tchaikovsky's Six Pieces, Op. 51.
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A Check List to Develop Excellent Violin Posture and Position
Let me show you how to hold the violin and bow. Got it? Excellent! It seems like it should be possible to cover "how to hold the violin" in one quick lesson with a teacher, or with a glance at an illustration on the internet or in a book. Somehow, that's not enough - not even close.
Good posture and positioning most often requires years of tweaking, with a long cycle of breaking old habits and forming new ones. There are a number of things you can check on a regular basis, just to make sure you are staying on the right track. I've come up with a simple quick-hit list to get you started. I've addressed these suggestions to "you," but you can also use this list to check the posture and positioning of a student, or if you are a parent of a young violinist, of a child that you are helping. Please feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments! Keep reading...
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The Week in Reviews, Op. 293: Holly Mulcahy; Philippe Quint; Vadim Gluzman; Sonnambula
In an effort to promote the coverage of live violin performance, Violinist.com each week presents links to reviews of notable concerts and recitals around the world.
Holly Mulcahy performed George S. Clinton's "The Rose of Sonora" violin concerto with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra.
- The Daily Telegraph: "The piece calls upon her to wring out seemingly every ounce of what is possible to do with a violin, whether in classical style or more fiddle-like work, and the cadenza she’s created for the fifth movement is mesmerizing. She absolutely nails this piece, with a mastery of her instrument that’s, in a word, breathtaking."
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