Clik here to view.
Target Practice for Violinists - The World of Left-Hand Pizzicato
By Paul Stein: Left-hand pizzicato - when a violinist uses the fingers of the left hand to pluck the string - has a significance far beyond musical and virtuosic effects. If used as an exercise, It...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 2021 Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide
By Laurie Niles: Gift-giving is one of the great joys of the holiday season, and each year we compile a list of some of the year's best new gear, books, recordings, and other offerings from violinists...
View ArticleClik here to view.
V.com weekend vote: Do you find it difficult to play, wearing a mask?
By Laurie Niles: So things are a lot better these days, for musicians. In many places, we can perform again, we can go to live concerts, we can teach in-person again, we can hold music classes in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review: LA Phil Performs Beethoven 7, 'Primal Message,' Adolphe Violin Concerto
By Laurie Niles: Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 is an old musical friend to many of us, and before the pandemic, I probably took it for granted. Some orchestra is always playing this piece somewhere,...
View ArticlePerlman Music Program: Lessons from the Littles
By Diana Skinner: Last summer, Perlman Music Program students (dubbed "Littles") formed string quartets to focus on repertoire mainstays by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Dvorak, Grieg, and Prokofiev. In...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Week in Reviews, Op. 332: Martin Chalifour, Christian Tetzlaff, Ray Chen
By Laurie Niles: 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.Violinist Martin...
View ArticleClik here to view.
For the Record, Op. 180: Clarinetist Anthony McGill/Jessie Montgomery...
By Laurie Niles: 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...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Perfect Gift: Play for People!
By Laurie Niles: It's easy to get caught up in perfectionism as a violinist, classical musician or music student, and sometimes that keeps us from sharing our musical gifts. But I have a holiday...
View ArticleClik here to view.
V.com weekend vote: Have you encountered a fake violin busker?
By Laurie Niles: Lately there's a strange scam afoot: people faking that they are playing the violin, asking for money. Instead of actually playing, they are miming to a hidden soundtrack. It's been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Gift: A Violin for Prison Inmates
By Holly Mulcahy: There was no second-guessing my decision to give one of my violins to the prison where I regularly play for inmates. Several years ago I created a non-profit called Arts Capacity, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Violin technique: Replacing Bad Muscle Memory with Good
By Paul Stein: Your practice room is like a science lab, only filled with music - and hopefully good lighting and a good, solid stand. This room's importance cannot be exaggerated - its the place...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2021 Primrose International Viola Competition Begins Today at Colburn School
By Laurie Niles: The Primrose International Viola Competition begins today in Los Angeles at the Colburn School, with 24 violists competing in live rounds through Friday.Violist competing in the 2021...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Week in Reviews, Op. 333: Hilary Hahn; Tai Murray; Alina Ibragimova
By Laurie Niles: 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.Violinist Hilary...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Semi-Finalists Announced in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition
By Laurie Niles: On Tuesday eight semi-finalists were announced in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition, which is taking place this week at The Colburn School in Los Angeles....
View ArticleClik here to view.
For the Record, Op. 181: Guillaume Sutre - Celebrating Saint-Saëns' Centennial
By Laurie Niles: 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...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Conversation With Andrea Dawson: Etudes for the Modern Violinist
By Claire Allen: Just in time for the winter holiday, or a fresh start to the new year, violinist Andrea Dawson has given violinists and violists everywhere a marvelous gift. Her new books, 24 Etudes...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Finalists Announced in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition
By Laurie Niles: On Thursday three Finalists were announced in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition, which is taking place this week at The Colburn School in Los Angeles. Primrose...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Baroque Christmas with Rachel Barton Pine
By Diana Skinner: In case you thought Rachel Barton Pine wasnt busy enough showcasing 24 violin concertos over 24 weeks, conducting master classes on all six Bach Sonatas & Partitas, championing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Natalie Loughran Wins First Prize in the 2021 Primrose International Viola...
By Laurie Niles: LOS ANGELES - Natalie Loughran was named first-prize winner in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition, which concluded Saturday at the Colburn School. Here are all the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
V.com weekend vote: What is the most contemporary piece of music you have...
By Claire Allen: Contemporary music a wonderful topic for reflection, and my recent interview with Andrea Dawson, author of 24 Etudes for the Modern Violinist, made me think about my own history with...
View Article