Doublestop Magazine

Kim Kashkashian (viola) and Robert Levin (piano) were not intending to make it so in producing this collection of songs. Rather, they were attempting to translate song—even the singing voice, the words of music—into a collaboration for piano and viola. Their partnership, over the course of several years, writing, crafting and performing songs on Asturiana, has resulted in an effort where neither instrument takes center stage. And that is the magic in the music.

Doublestop Magazine talks with violinist Swil Kanim, the “Violindian.” Swil Kanim explores his career and Native American musical traditions: “There are hundreds of tribal nations in North America. Each with their own way of being. Each with their own songs to sing at their own special times. These are new times. Maybe, the time for a new song and a new way to sing is now and on the violin.”

If you’re remotely interesting in fiddling, you need to check out UNC-TV’s Folkways episode on fiddling in North Carolina.

David Holt introduces four fiddlers who have created their own styles either from picking up the musical tradition of the region, differentiating from a basic style or combining the styles of several different musicians.

Each of the fiddlers goes into a fair bit of detail about their specific playing style, talking about what they’re doing with both the left and right hands. It is a lot of fun to watch these guys play and to pick up on the variations. It’ll knock right out of your head any notions about there being one right way to do things.

My only gripe: I’d love to see a HD version of the episode to better see those hands move.

If, like me, you’re a fan of violin-themed podcasts, you need to check out Bowtech. Unlike the music podcasts I reviewed earlier, where I panned those with too much talk, this podcast is all talk. In short, it is like hanging out with a couple of guys in a violin shop talking about all things violin/viola/cello. Host Erik Friedlander, a cellist, talks with violin maker Ron Fletcher.

They’ve done seven episodes (plus an extra mini-episode that, for some reason, they don’t count), and they’ve covered topics such as instrument auctions, varnish, rosin, and more. I think they’re worth a listen, if only for the running gag about Friedlander dumping a beer into his cello…

The MacArthur Foundation folks just announced their 2008 Fellows — don’t call them geniuses — and a couple of them have ties to the violin world. Violinist Leila Josefowicz is one recipient, as is music critic Alex Ross. Congrats!