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Sacrilegious Games: TwoSet Violin brings playfulness and virtuosity to London’s Barbican
Maxim Vengerov steps in for indisposed Lisa Batiashvili in London
Continuo Foundation awards over £100k to early music projects
Violinist Alina Pogostkina steps back from performance
44 ensembles selected to join MERITA Platform
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
The final 21 days: structuring psychological preparation before high-stakes performance
While it’s tempting to practise more in the lead up to an important event, it can actually do more harm than good! Instead, cellist Joanna Latała shares a 21-day framework for mental preparation that supports technical execution as well as artistic presence
‘Nearly dying has a brutal way of clarifying what actually matters in music’ - Jacob Shaw on his cancer journey
Four years on from his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Jacob Shaw, professor of cello at the Royal Northern College of Music, reflects on what the experience forced him to prioritise and the realities of returning to performing in an industry that forgets quickly. The journey is recounted in the upcoming ...
Playing Hub
Heroes for everyone at the London Festival of Chamber Music
Zephyr Wills, a violist with Sinfonia Smith Square, shares insights on preparing for the upcoming star-studded London Festival of Chamber Music, where ’everyone is everyone else’s biggest fan’
From Reich to Kate Bush: a fusion of voice and string quartet
Pwyll ap Siôn reports back from the Solem Quartet and Alice Zawadzki’s performance at Kings Place on 14 March 2026
Grooving with Gernot Wolfgang: how groove shapes his chamber music
Richard Linnett interviews composer Gernot Wolfgang on his latest string quartet Make it Real! and gains insights on his compositional processes and inspirations
Sentimental Work: Mihaela Martin on the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
For the Romanian violinist and pedagogue, learning the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor was a formative experience, and one that all students should have the chance to enjoy
Tales of bassist Domenico Dragonetti - From the archive: March 1906
To mark the 60th anniversary of the death of Domenico Dragonetti, The Strad recalls some incidents from the legendary Italian bassist’s life
The final 21 days: structuring psychological preparation before high-stakes performance
While it’s tempting to practise more in the lead up to an important event, it can actually do more harm than good! Instead, cellist Joanna Latała shares a 21-day framework for mental preparation that supports technical execution as well as artistic presence
Premium ❘ Feature
Frank Peter Zimmermann: ‘Music that possesses you’
Frank Peter Zimmermann is one of the first German musicians to record Elgar’s emotionally charged Violin Concerto, in a new release with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He speaks with Thomas Eisner, a first violinist with the LPO, about bringing the work to life
Premium ❘ Feature
Inveterate innovator: Louis Noebe
Despite success in his own time, and a penchant for experimentation, German maker Louis Noebe is an almost forgotten figure in lutherie history. Clifford Hall examines his life and achievements
Premium ❘ Feature
Frank Peter Zimmermann: ‘Music that possesses you’
Frank Peter Zimmermann is one of the first German musicians to record Elgar’s emotionally charged Violin Concerto, in a new release with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He speaks with Thomas Eisner, a first violinist with the LPO, about bringing the work to life
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Geneva: Concours de Genève viola competition
At the 2025 Concours de Genève, which marked the viola’s return to the competition after two decades, Rita Fernandes discovered the unique artistic personalities of the new generation
Competitions
Elmore Quartet wins Royal Over-Seas League Competition strings and keyboard ensemble prize
The quartet receives £10,000 and a Wigmore Hall performance
Winners announced at New Zealand’s 2026 National Concerto Competition
Violinist Lorna Zhang won the top prize of NZD10,000, following her performance of Shostakovich Violin Concerto no.1
Winners announced for 2026 Coltman Chamber Music Competition
Trio Sinfonia wins the the string and piano division and $2,500
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: April 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Aziza Sadikova’s new concerto for two double basses
A new double concerto channels the emotions of war
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
The Strad Podcast: How to tailor the Suzuki Method to different students with violinist Meghan Faw
The violinist shares her personal experiences with the method as both a student and a teacher
The Strad Podcast: How to hold a masterclass with violinist Paul Huang
The violinist speaks about his teaching approaches in a unique learning experience, in the third part of our four-part education-themed podcast series
The Strad Podcast: How to teach collaborative skills with violinist Annie Fullard of the Cavani Quartet
‘We should live in a chamber music world’ - the violinist speaks about the importance of collaboration inside and outside of the practice room, in the second episode of our four-part education-themed podcast series
The Strad Podcast: How to practise effectively with violinist Ray Chen
The first in our new four-part education themed podcast series features our September 2024 cover star
The Strad Podcast: How to tailor the Suzuki Method to different students with violinist Meghan Faw
The violinist shares her personal experiences with the method as both a student and a teacher
The Strad Podcast: How to hold a masterclass with violinist Paul Huang
The violinist speaks about his teaching approaches in a unique learning experience, in the third part of our four-part education-themed podcast series
The Strad Podcast: How to teach collaborative skills with violinist Annie Fullard of the Cavani Quartet
‘We should live in a chamber music world’ - the violinist speaks about the importance of collaboration inside and outside of the practice room, in the second episode of our four-part education-themed podcast series
Competitions
Elmore Quartet wins Royal Over-Seas League Competition strings and keyboard ensemble prize
The quartet receives £10,000 and a Wigmore Hall performance
Winners announced at New Zealand’s 2026 National Concerto Competition
Violinist Lorna Zhang won the top prize of NZD10,000, following her performance of Shostakovich Violin Concerto no.1
Winners announced for 2026 Coltman Chamber Music Competition
Trio Sinfonia wins the the string and piano division and $2,500
Video premiere: Édith Piaf’s ‘Hymne à l’amour’ for eight cellos performed by the SCS Cello Ensemble
The group has released a new single of Piaf’s eternal classic, filmed at the Scandinavian Cello School and to be featured in an upcoming documentary
Video premiere: Édith Piaf’s ‘Hymne à l’amour’ for eight cellos performed by the SCS Cello Ensemble
Cellist John-Henry Crawford performs Ravel’s ‘Pavane pour une infante défunte’
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
The violin technique that shouldn’t exist: MinutePhysics explains Roman Kim’s harmonics technique
Jupiter Quartet performs Ginastera’s String Quartet no.1
Amy Beach’s Romance op.23 for double bass and piano
Roman Kim: virtuosity, artistic freedom and how to find your voice
Bach in a new space: Francesca Dego performs the Chaconne
Video: Richard Tognetti performs at the top of Sydney Opera House
Hina & Fiona perform Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia for two violins
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Inveterate innovator: Louis Noebe
Despite success in his own time, and a penchant for experimentation, German maker Louis Noebe is an almost forgotten figure in lutherie history. Clifford Hall examines his life and achievements
US school repair shops: close to home
In US public school music programmes, broken instruments can harm students’ learning and create stress for teachers. Rita Fernandes discovers the schools that are tackling the problem head on by offering free repairs via in-house repair shops
My Space: Nurgül Çomak’s Istanbul workshop
The Turkish maker presents her workshop in the cosmopolitan city
Making Matters: Smoke treatment in Stradivari's instruments
Did Stradivari apply a smoke treatment to his tonewood before starting an instrument? Joseph Nagyvary argues that he did, and examines how the process could benefit luthiers today
In a spirit of collaboration: Brandenburg experiments
Makers at the annual Brandenburg violin making workshop joined forces on a two-year project to build and test two identical violins, one of which was made with treated wood. The results were intriguing. Adam Winskill reports on the methodology and findings
Trade Secrets: Even split, even grain
A simple method for joining plates with even grain orientation
Inveterate innovator: Louis Noebe
Despite success in his own time, and a penchant for experimentation, German maker Louis Noebe is an almost forgotten figure in lutherie history. Clifford Hall examines his life and achievements
US school repair shops: close to home
In US public school music programmes, broken instruments can harm students’ learning and create stress for teachers. Rita Fernandes discovers the schools that are tackling the problem head on by offering free repairs via in-house repair shops
My Space: Nurgül Çomak’s Istanbul workshop
The Turkish maker presents her workshop in the cosmopolitan city
Making Matters: Smoke treatment in Stradivari's instruments
Did Stradivari apply a smoke treatment to his tonewood before starting an instrument? Joseph Nagyvary argues that he did, and examines how the process could benefit luthiers today
In a spirit of collaboration: Brandenburg experiments
Makers at the annual Brandenburg violin making workshop joined forces on a two-year project to build and test two identical violins, one of which was made with treated wood. The results were intriguing. Adam Winskill reports on the methodology and findings
Trade Secrets: Even split, even grain
A simple method for joining plates with even grain orientation
Concert review: Augustin Hadelich (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Barber, Adams and Mahler at Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 10 January 2026
Concert review: Yo-Yo Ma (cello) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 14 January 2026 for the performance of Dvořák, Skoryk, Akimenko and Mendelssohn
Concert review: Laura Samuel Memorial Concert
Hattie Butterworth attends the tribute to the respected violinist at London’s Wigmore Hall on 4 January 2026, featuring works by Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn and David Raksin
Calidore Quartet: American Tapestry
A New York-based quartet explores its heritage to fine effect
Akhtamar Quartet: Origins
A great Bohemian reframed to exhilarating effect
I Solisti Ambrosiani: Giardini
Music of galant charm undermined by technical issues
Book review: The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival
Anne Inglis reviews Anne Sebba’s moving history of the all-female ensemble that performed in the notorious Nazi death camp
Book review: Bach: The Cello Suites
Janet Banks reads Edward Klorman’s analysis of the six legendary solo works for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book review: Hands, Wrists, Fingers: Creative Health for Musicians
Philippa Bunting reads Pedro de Alcantara’s volume on boosting health for the curious musician, including some novel arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises for string players
Debate
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Opinion: SongHa Choi on ‘aura’ in live performance
In an age of instant digital access to recorded music, violinist SongHa Choi still believes that nothing can compare to the experience of a live performance
Debate
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Opinion: SongHa Choi on ‘aura’ in live performance
In an age of instant digital access to recorded music, violinist SongHa Choi still believes that nothing can compare to the experience of a live performance
Accessories
Products April 2026: Jargar Eccentric violin and cello strings
The new set offers a more focused sound
Products April 2026: Dolfinos rosin
A new hypoallergenic rosin that creates less dust
Products April 2026: Schilbach digital calliper
The calliper measures 150mm and is corrosion-free
Concert review: Augustin Hadelich (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Barber, Adams and Mahler at Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 10 January 2026
Concert review: Yo-Yo Ma (cello) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 14 January 2026 for the performance of Dvořák, Skoryk, Akimenko and Mendelssohn
Concert review: Laura Samuel Memorial Concert
Hattie Butterworth attends the tribute to the respected violinist at London’s Wigmore Hall on 4 January 2026, featuring works by Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn and David Raksin
Book review: The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival
Anne Inglis reviews Anne Sebba’s moving history of the all-female ensemble that performed in the notorious Nazi death camp
Book review: Bach: The Cello Suites
Janet Banks reads Edward Klorman’s analysis of the six legendary solo works for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book review: Hands, Wrists, Fingers: Creative Health for Musicians
Philippa Bunting reads Pedro de Alcantara’s volume on boosting health for the curious musician, including some novel arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises for string players
Calidore Quartet: American Tapestry
A New York-based quartet explores its heritage to fine effect
Akhtamar Quartet: Origins
A great Bohemian reframed to exhilarating effect
I Solisti Ambrosiani: Giardini
Music of galant charm undermined by technical issues
Artists
Nemanja Radulović: music in the moment
Charismatic Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulović chats to Charlotte Gardner about the importance of artistic freedom and musical friendships, and recording his latest album of music by Prokofiev
Beauty unbound by history: cellist Tommy Mesa explores the many voices of his 1767 Gagliano
Cellist Tommy Mesa’s historic Gagliano cello frames an eclectic programme spanning repertoire familiar and new.
Stella Chen: a bright future
The American violinist chats with Rebecca Franks about her philosophy of playing and teaching, studying at Harvard, her experience of winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition and her new album, which marks a fresh chapter in her career
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