Electric string instruments can give new energy to familiar classical pieces and also give familiar pop and rock songs a new classical-inspired twist. Join host Liz Lyon as she touches on the history of electric string instruments, and listen to some pieces performed on electric strings.

Stuff Smith: How High the Moon — Hezekiah Leroy Gordon Smith, better known as Stuff Smith, was an American jazz violinist credited as being the first performer to use electric amplification techniques on a violin.

LISTEN — Stuff Smith: How High the Moon

John Adams: A New Day — Electric violin soloist Tracy Silverman refers to his type of instrumentation as “progressive string playing” — classical string playing that weaves in contemporary music genres like rock, jazz, and hip-hop. Here he is playing “A New Day,” by John Adams.

LISTEN — John Adams: A New Day

2CELLOS: Eye of the Tiger — This cellist duo from Croatia are classically trained musicians who play instrumental arrangements of well-known pop and rock songs. They also play classical and film music and have even been featured on several TV series episodes.

LISTEN — 2CELLOS: Eye of the Tiger

Deborah Henson-Conant: Nightingale — Deborah Henson-Conant wrote this piece in memory of her mother’s voice. “Nightingale” is her most-requested tune in concert. She often plays on an electric acoustic pedal harp, which can be used with an amplifier or played like a normal pedal harp.

LISTEN — Deborah Henson-Conant: Nightingale

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