No. 278, June 2018
Chasing the Sound of Stuff Smith
How an obsession with the gear that helped Stuff Smith achieve his distinctive sound brought me closer to a musical idol, 50 years after his death
By David Schulman
Risk & Reward
Yuga Cohler on forging a career as a conductor in classical music and what Beethoven and Kanye West have in common
By Whitney Phaneuf
Anniversary of an Auspicious Start
100 years ago, a female impresario and forward-thinking conductor succeeded in Cleveland where many others had failed
By Brian Wise
SPECIAL FOCUS
Classical Works with Traditional Roots
How Béla Bartók Redefined Classical Music
Under the guise of complex art music, this composer and ethnomusicologist brought Hungarian peasant culture into the concert halls of Europe
By Greg Cahill
Argentine Soul
You’ll find folk music, rhythmic vitality, and guitar styles in Alberto Ginastera’s music—but very little tango
By Inge Kjemtrup
Musical Nationalism
Studying the effect of Norwegian folk music on Edvard Grieg’s three violin sonatas
By Brian Wise
Editor’s Note
News & Notes
The Eybler Quartet records on period instruments with an eye for specific tempo instructions; double bassist Draylen Mason killed in package explosion; plus Milestones; 5 Minutes with bow expert Stephan Jansen, and more
News Spotlight
Nashville Symphony premieres the first piece ever written specifically for the Violins of Hope
Letter From the Sea
Violist Drew Alexander Forde on the experience of taking his music to the sea
Shop Talk
David Rivinus on the power of distinctive violin making
What’s in the Case?
Cellist Mischa Maisky on his relationship with his 1720 Domenico Montagnana
Tales of the Trade
Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin tailor-makes each rosin to suit a musician’s needs
New Products
A trio of new products from BAM
On My Music Stand
Baroque violinist Monica Huggett on the poetic harmonies within Matteis’ ‘Alla Fantasia’
Tech Support
Is it possible to play with a straight bow?
My Studio
Sometimes students need space to find their own solutions
Stage & Studio
Find (or fashion) the right cello chair or double bass stool for you
REVIEWS
For the Record: The Ariel Quartet reflects on growing up together and the release of their first album. Onstage: Violinist Aisha Syed debuts at Carnegie Hall. In Print: The ‘poetic charm’ of Fauré’s penultimate work received praise from royalty, and more.
