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Ask the experts: What should a luthier look for when choosing tonewood?
For a beginner luthier, choosing the perfect spruce and maple for an instrument can be a confusing process. Three experts in wood selection offer some guidelines
Trade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
Arete Quartet wins the 19th Lyon International Chamber Music Competition
The Arete Quartet were awarded the first prize, receiving €10,000
Playing Hub
Creation and evolution: Manchester Collective
Manchester Collective is an ensemble that doesn’t shy away from either transporting its listeners to unexpected places, or embracing change within its own identity. Members including co‑founder and violinist Rakhi Singh talk to David Kettle about the group’s unique philosophy
Unveiling Marco Anzoletti’s Concerto for Violin and Viola: one soloist, two instruments
A concerto from 1915 that requires its soloist to switch between violin and viola is receiving its world premiere on 26 April 2024. Orchestrator Kenneth Martinson shares details about this long-lost work
‘New works come to life in such different ways’ - Violinist Fenella Humphreys on working with living composers
Ahead of the release of her album Prism on the Rubicon Label, violinist Fenella Humphreys shares how varied the musical experience can be when working with different composers, and how rewarding the end result can be
A musical smorgasbord: violinist Fabio Biondi on recording Roman’s ‘Assaggi’
Italian violinist Fabio Biondi speaks to Robin Stowell about recording Swedish Baroque composer Johan Helmich Roman’s assaggi – solo musical morsels to whet the appetite
Creating an immersive musical experience as an adult learner: violinist Julia Reddy
Alongside regular lessons and practice, Julia Reddy shares four ways to inject more music into your daily life for adult students
Uncovering Arthur Foote’s Cello Concerto: Julian Schwarz
Following a recent performance with the Buffalo Philharmonic, the cellist speaks about his journey to reconstruct and shine a light on the forgotten work by US composer Arthur Foote, which was written in the same year as the widely performed concerto by Dvořák
Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
Premium ❘ Feature
Creation and evolution: Manchester Collective
Manchester Collective is an ensemble that doesn’t shy away from either transporting its listeners to unexpected places, or embracing change within its own identity. Members including co‑founder and violinist Rakhi Singh talk to David Kettle about the group’s unique philosophy
Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: Choosing the right repertoire for group instrumental lessons
With the growth in popularity of group instrumental lessons, it’s never been more important to match the music to the pupil says cellist, composer and teacher Thomas Gregory
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Christian Poltéra on Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello
The challenges of Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello led to a memorable encounter between the Swiss cellist and his childhood hero, Mstislav Rostropovich
Competitions
Arete Quartet wins the 19th Lyon International Chamber Music Competition
The Arete Quartet were awarded the first prize, receiving €10,000
Competitors announced for 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition
24 live-round competitors will have the chance to perform for the first prize of $15,000 in June this year
Violin winners of the Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition announced
Violinist Kim Byeol Claire won the senior category, receiving $2,000
![[3] Soyoung Yoon pc Julia Wesel](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/7/7/0/33770_3soyoungyoonpcjuliawesel_221630.jpg)
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: May 2024
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Britta Byström’s new violin concerto for Janine Jansen
Day and night inspire a new violin concerto
Masterclass: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade with violinist Bart Vandenbogaerde
Concertmaster of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra guides us through the work based on The Arabian Nights, which demands subtle articulation and careful attention to detail to make its colourful characters come alive. From October 2014
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.8, first movement
Violinist Viktoria Mullova describes how knowledge of historical style, a sense of spontaneity and precise metronome work are crucial for pulling off this cheeky movement
Masterclass: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade with violinist Bart Vandenbogaerde
Concertmaster of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra guides us through the work based on The Arabian Nights, which demands subtle articulation and careful attention to detail to make its colourful characters come alive. From October 2014
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.8, first movement
Violinist Viktoria Mullova describes how knowledge of historical style, a sense of spontaneity and precise metronome work are crucial for pulling off this cheeky movement
Masterclass: Beethoven Cello Sonata no.5, second and third movements
Cellist Gary Hoffman considers the importance of context to understand and appreciate this work, written in 1815 during a period of isolation and difficulty for the composer
The Strad Podcast #115: designing your own musical education as an adult learner with violinist Julia Reddy
How can adult students gain musical enrichment beyond the practice room? The violinist, teacher and podcaster shares her strategies
The Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
The Strad Podcast #114: exploring resources and finding your teaching style with cellist Guy Johnston
The cellist speaks about how resources left by renowned ‘cello gods,’ as well as fostering a community of sharing has informed his teaching methods throughout his career
The Strad Podcast #113: Uncovering Ysaÿe’s lost works with violinist Philippe Graffin
The violinist speaks about his efforts to bring Ysaÿe’s Poème concertant into the limelight
The Strad Podcast #115: designing your own musical education as an adult learner with violinist Julia Reddy
How can adult students gain musical enrichment beyond the practice room? The violinist, teacher and podcaster shares her strategies
The Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
The Strad Podcast #114: exploring resources and finding your teaching style with cellist Guy Johnston
The cellist speaks about how resources left by renowned ‘cello gods,’ as well as fostering a community of sharing has informed his teaching methods throughout his career
Competitons
Arete Quartet wins the 19th Lyon International Chamber Music Competition
The Arete Quartet were awarded the first prize, receiving €10,000
Competitors announced for 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition
24 live-round competitors will have the chance to perform for the first prize of $15,000 in June this year
Violin winners of the Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition announced
Violinist Kim Byeol Claire won the senior category, receiving $2,000
A jaunty performance from early music specialists Ensemble Diderot
The award-winning ensemble presents a track from its upcoming album Berlin Harpsichord Concertos, out on 17 May
A jaunty performance from early music specialists Ensemble Diderot
A documentary on Icelandic luthier Hans Jóhannsson
Solo Bach in Alaska from cellist Yo-Yo Ma
A star-studded line up performs Mozart Sinfonia concertante
Exploring Piazzolla’s sound effects by violinist Tomás Cotik
New video: Wagner’s ‘Träume’ for viola and piano
Piazzolla’s musical style by violinist Tomás Cotik
Video premiere: The Spektral Quartet presents ‘Thus, the Night’
Piazzolla’s immigrant story by violinist Tomás Cotik
Kavakos, Ma and Ax: a legendary trio performs Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
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Ask the experts: What should a luthier look for when choosing tonewood?
For a beginner luthier, choosing the perfect spruce and maple for an instrument can be a confusing process. Three experts in wood selection offer some guidelines
Trade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
Connecting musicians and makers: the British Violin Making Association’s 2024 Makers’ Day
Tibor Szemmelveisz reports back from the 27th Makers’ Day in February 2024, which cultivated a meeting of minds between luthiers and players in central London
Truly unique: Henrik Frendin on his custom-made electric viola and five-string bass viola
Violist Henrik Frendin shares how his search for the perfect sound palette led him to commission two bespoke instruments by Richard Rolf
Like living beings: how instruments damaged by war and disaster found new life thanks to a luthier’s noblesse oblige
Barbara Khristi writes about the deeds of luthier Phillip Injeian, who helped restore instruments damaged in the Bosnian War, as well as the 2010 Haiti earthquake
A Gagliano and a Strad: the violins of Maria Dueñas
Our May 2024 cover star discusses the tools of her trade with Tom Stewart
Ask the experts: What should a luthier look for when choosing tonewood?
For a beginner luthier, choosing the perfect spruce and maple for an instrument can be a confusing process. Three experts in wood selection offer some guidelines
Trade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
Connecting musicians and makers: the British Violin Making Association’s 2024 Makers’ Day
Tibor Szemmelveisz reports back from the 27th Makers’ Day in February 2024, which cultivated a meeting of minds between luthiers and players in central London
Truly unique: Henrik Frendin on his custom-made electric viola and five-string bass viola
Violist Henrik Frendin shares how his search for the perfect sound palette led him to commission two bespoke instruments by Richard Rolf
Like living beings: how instruments damaged by war and disaster found new life thanks to a luthier’s noblesse oblige
Barbara Khristi writes about the deeds of luthier Phillip Injeian, who helped restore instruments damaged in the Bosnian War, as well as the 2010 Haiti earthquake
A Gagliano and a Strad: the violins of Maria Dueñas
Our May 2024 cover star discusses the tools of her trade with Tom Stewart
Concert review: Austin Wulliman (violin) Jack Quartet, Alec Goldfarb (electric guitar)
Bruce Hodges hears the Jack Quartet’s performance of a work by its own violinist, Austin Wulliman, at Roulette, NYC, on 15 February 2024
Concert review: Jan Vogler (cello) Amanda Gorman (poet)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the innovative performance of Bach at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in New York’s Carnegie Hall on 17 February 2024
Concert review: Joshua Bell (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Christoph Eschenbach
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Chopin (arr.Milstein), Vieuxtemps, Chausson and Brahms at Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall on 16 February 2024
Benjamin Schmid: Mozart
Playing of finesse but the competition is formidable
Avalon Quartet: Price, Sowerby
Emotionally searing advocacy bring neglected quartets to life
Carducci Quartet: Shostakovich
Technical flair can’t make up for a limited emotional range
Book review: Bows, Strings and Dreams
Lauren Wesley-Smith reviews the autobiography of 16-year-old violin wunderkind Leia Zhu
Book review: Angel Eyes
Anne Inglis reviews the first in a projected trilogy of novels by Roger Graham Hargrave centred on the violin business
Book review: Bach Six Suites for Violoncello solo (BWV1007–12) arranged for viola solo
Misha Galaganov reviews Bärenreiter’s new edition of the Bach Suites edited for performance by violists
Debate
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Opinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section
While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski
Debate
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Opinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section
While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski
Accessories
Products May 2024: Schilbach UV tanning lamp
A lamp for luthiers to tan violins and cure varnish
Products May 2024: Dörfler bow winding machine
A new product from the German bow making workshop
Products May 2024: Thomastik Rondo Gold violin strings
A new set in the Rondo range
Concert review: Austin Wulliman (violin) Jack Quartet, Alec Goldfarb (electric guitar)
Bruce Hodges hears the Jack Quartet’s performance of a work by its own violinist, Austin Wulliman, at Roulette, NYC, on 15 February 2024
Concert review: Jan Vogler (cello) Amanda Gorman (poet)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the innovative performance of Bach at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in New York’s Carnegie Hall on 17 February 2024
Concert review: Joshua Bell (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Christoph Eschenbach
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Chopin (arr.Milstein), Vieuxtemps, Chausson and Brahms at Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall on 16 February 2024
Book review: Bows, Strings and Dreams
Lauren Wesley-Smith reviews the autobiography of 16-year-old violin wunderkind Leia Zhu
Book review: Angel Eyes
Anne Inglis reviews the first in a projected trilogy of novels by Roger Graham Hargrave centred on the violin business
Book review: Bach Six Suites for Violoncello solo (BWV1007–12) arranged for viola solo
Misha Galaganov reviews Bärenreiter’s new edition of the Bach Suites edited for performance by violists
Benjamin Schmid: Mozart
Playing of finesse but the competition is formidable
Avalon Quartet: Price, Sowerby
Emotionally searing advocacy bring neglected quartets to life
Carducci Quartet: Shostakovich
Technical flair can’t make up for a limited emotional range
Artists
Great violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
Sentimental Work: Elena Urioste on Mel Bonis’s Violin Sonata
The Violin Sonata by French composer Mel Bonis was a revelation for the US-born violinist, revealing both a new sound world and innovative techniques in music writing
The Strad Podcast Episode #57: Augustin Hadelich on Recuerdos and Ricochet
Enjoy some ’R&R’: the violinist speaks about his new album, as well as a particularly tricky bowing technique
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