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Leonidas Kavakos appointed principal guest conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra
Lufthansa Group changes hand luggage rules following negotiations with violinist Carolin Widmann
New viola professor appointments at the Shepherd School of Music
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
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Leonidas Kavakos appointed principal guest conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra
Lufthansa Group changes hand luggage rules following negotiations with violinist Carolin Widmann
‘An uncanny gift for helping people realise what music is about’: celebrating György Kurtág at 100
‘We interpret the music through a modern lens’: The Anzû Quartet on Messiaen’s ‘Quatuor’
‘We interpret the music through a modern lens’: The Anzû Quartet on Messiaen’s ‘Quatuor’
New viola professor appointments at the Shepherd School of Music
Beyond the practice room: how musicians and music schools must evolve to thrive in a changing world
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2026 fellows announced
Violinist Hilary Hahn undergoes surgery for cervical spinal disc herniation
The American violinist promises to return to performing shortly
How do string players deal with cold temperatures?
After Storm Fern buried New York in its heaviest snowfall in years, sub‑zero temperatures put both musicians and their instruments to the test. Davina Shum asked musicians how they protect their instruments – and fingers – when temperatures drop.
‘We deserve better’: Lisa Batiashvili calls for fair treatment of musical instruments at UK airport security
The violinist is calling on UK airports to rethink their security checks on musical instruments, warning that current procedures expose valuable instruments to damage and unnecessary stress
Playing Hub
Recording Dvořák with an extraordinary cello
The young French cellist Raphaël Jouan reflects on a rare and transformative encounter with a 1710 Matteo Gofriller cello. Thanks to a generous loan, Jouan was able to record his new Dvořák album on this exceptional instrument, which was previously in the hands of the renowned cellist Antonio Meneses.
Sentimental Work: Orin O’Brien on Stravinsky’s ballet Orpheus
Playing the score for Stravinsky’s ballet Orpheus was a formative experience for the American double bassist in the years before she joined the New York Philharmonic
Ysaÿe recounts his WW1 exile - From the archive: February 1916
Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, living in exile in London during World War I, tells writer B. Henderson how he escaped from his homeland in 1914
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.
Redefining romance: Esther Yoo’s ‘Love Symposium’
With her new album released just ahead of Valentine’s Day, violinist Esther Yoo explores love in its widest sense – from Plato’s ancient philosophies to the bonds of family, friendship, nature and self
‘A jewel of a piece’: Tamsin Waley-Cohen remembers Oliver Knussen through his final composition
Ten years after Oliver Knussen wrote Reflection, his last completed piece, violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen’s new recording of the work with pianist Huw Watkins celebrates the personal collaboration and musical friendship that brought it to life
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: thoughts on up- and down-bow staccato
Miclen LaiPang shares tips on the often-notorious technique
Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: an expert team varnishes a copy of the ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello
Mark Schnurr looks back at the process of varnishing a copy of the 1730 ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello at the 2024 Oberlin Violin Making Workshop
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: thoughts on up- and down-bow staccato
Miclen LaiPang shares tips on the often-notorious technique
Premium ❘ Focus
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
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Genoa: Premio Paganini Competition
Janet Banks visited north-west Italy for the finals of the 58th Premio Paganini Competition, where three young violinists contended for the top prize and a chance to play the famous ‘Il Cannone’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’
Competitions
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
A total of 20 violinists will proceed to the junior and senior finals
Winners announced for the 2026 Netherlands Violin Competition
Violinist Rebecca Roozeman wins the €12,000 Oskar Back first prize
Violin winners announced at the 2026 International Mozart Competition
Chinese violinist Xunyue Zhang took the top prize €10,000, following the final round on 12 February
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Jeffrey Mumford’s new double concerto
The movement of clouds inspired a densely layered work
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: February 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
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
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
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
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
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
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
A total of 20 violinists will proceed to the junior and senior finals
Winners announced for the 2026 Netherlands Violin Competition
Violinist Rebecca Roozeman wins the €12,000 Oskar Back first prize
Violin winners announced at the 2026 International Mozart Competition
Chinese violinist Xunyue Zhang took the top prize €10,000, following the final round on 12 February
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
Paul Neubauer takes centre stage in Brown’s work The Viola from his Pas de Trois
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
‘You feel the presence and breath of a fifth person’ - The Elmire Quartet on its debut ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets album
A cello, a zipline and a drone: how Gautier Capuçon’s Alpine music video was filmed
- Previous
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Making Matters: an expert team varnishes a copy of the ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello
Mark Schnurr looks back at the process of varnishing a copy of the 1730 ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello at the 2024 Oberlin Violin Making Workshop
In Focus: An 1822 violin by Georges Chanot I
Jonathan Marolle examines the French maker’s early instrument
My Space: Francisco Núñez Gómez’s Santa Ana workshop
The maker presents his shop, located in Costa Rica
Trade Secrets: Making a paper template for a scroll
A procedure that allows for accurate reproduction as well as being a stimulant to creativity
’A distinctive golden aura’: cellist Jamie Walton on the 1642 Nicolò Amati cello
Jamie Walton, the current custodian of the Amati cello, reflects on its sound and projection
In the layers of light: the ground coat
What is the ground coat – and more importantly, what is it for? Pierre Flavetta examines the properties and visual effects of this mysterious pre-varnish instrument coating
Making Matters: an expert team varnishes a copy of the ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello
Mark Schnurr looks back at the process of varnishing a copy of the 1730 ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello at the 2024 Oberlin Violin Making Workshop
In Focus: An 1822 violin by Georges Chanot I
Jonathan Marolle examines the French maker’s early instrument
My Space: Francisco Núñez Gómez’s Santa Ana workshop
The maker presents his shop, located in Costa Rica
Trade Secrets: Making a paper template for a scroll
A procedure that allows for accurate reproduction as well as being a stimulant to creativity
’A distinctive golden aura’: cellist Jamie Walton on the 1642 Nicolò Amati cello
Jamie Walton, the current custodian of the Amati cello, reflects on its sound and projection
In the layers of light: the ground coat
What is the ground coat – and more importantly, what is it for? Pierre Flavetta examines the properties and visual effects of this mysterious pre-varnish instrument coating
Concert review: Abeo Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mendelssohn, Reena Esmail and Brahms at the New School Auditorium, New York, NY, US, on 9 November 2025
Concert review: Sterling Elliott (cello) Sphinx Virtuosi
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Prokofiev, William Grant Still, Clarice Assad, Quenton Blache, Jessie Montgomery, José White Lafitte, Ginastera and Ponce at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 16 October 2025
Concert review: Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 25 October 2025 for the performance of Sibelius, Jennifer Higdon, Tchaikovsky and Josef Rheinberger
Luca Ranieri: Brahms
Performances high in polish but lacking passion
Linda Hedlund: Finnish Works for Violin and Orchestra
A most attractive journey into lesser-known Finland
Arod Quartet: Haydn
Much to impress, except for a tendency for overplay Haydn’s wit
Book review: Music’s Odyssey: An Invitation to Western Classical Music
Robin Stowell reads composer Robin Holloway’s colossal survey of the whole Western classical music tradition, replete with the author’s own reflections and opinions
Book review: How to Perform with 100% Accuracy and Spend Less Time Practicing
Celia Cobb reads Annelle K. Gregory’s book of advice to string players on how they can use their practice time most effectively and combat stage fright, among other things
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Debate
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
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Debate
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
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Accessories
Products February 2026: Fiedler Cases Carbonmetal cello endpins
A new endpin combines both carbon fibre and metal
Products February 2026: Alfredo Clemente Clementino shoulder rest
A foam shoulder rest made for freedom of movement
Products February 2026: OldWood string cleaner
A string cleaner to keep your instrument in good condition
Concert review: Abeo Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mendelssohn, Reena Esmail and Brahms at the New School Auditorium, New York, NY, US, on 9 November 2025
Concert review: Sterling Elliott (cello) Sphinx Virtuosi
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Prokofiev, William Grant Still, Clarice Assad, Quenton Blache, Jessie Montgomery, José White Lafitte, Ginastera and Ponce at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 16 October 2025
Concert review: Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 25 October 2025 for the performance of Sibelius, Jennifer Higdon, Tchaikovsky and Josef Rheinberger
Book review: Music’s Odyssey: An Invitation to Western Classical Music
Robin Stowell reads composer Robin Holloway’s colossal survey of the whole Western classical music tradition, replete with the author’s own reflections and opinions
Book review: How to Perform with 100% Accuracy and Spend Less Time Practicing
Celia Cobb reads Annelle K. Gregory’s book of advice to string players on how they can use their practice time most effectively and combat stage fright, among other things
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Luca Ranieri: Brahms
Performances high in polish but lacking passion
Linda Hedlund: Finnish Works for Violin and Orchestra
A most attractive journey into lesser-known Finland
Arod Quartet: Haydn
Much to impress, except for a tendency for overplay Haydn’s wit
Artists
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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