- News
- For Subscribers
- Student Hub
- Playing Hub
- Directory
- Lutherie
- Magazine
- Magazine archive
- Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or enthusiast, you'll find ideas and inspiration from leading artists, teachers and luthiers in our archive which features every issue published since January 2010 - available exclusively to subscribers. View the archive.
- Jobs
- Shop
- Podcast
- Contact us
- Subscribe
- School Subscription
- Competitions
- Reviews
- Debate
- Artists
- Accessories
Are fine instruments really worth it? Four professors share their thoughts
Winners announced at the Wieniawski International Violin Competition
‘A delightful surprise!’: David Harrington on Philip Glass’s ‘Dracula’ as a ballet
Holding morality and sharing music: finding common ground through a violin concerto
Holding morality and sharing music: finding common ground through a violin concerto
The versatility of solo violin repertoire: Er-Gene Kahng on ‘Threaded Currencies’
Finalists announced for the 2026 Wieniawski Competition
Australian String Quartet announces £7.8 million Future Fund
A torchbearer: cellist Sung-Won Yang on teaching and passing art to the next generation
TwoSet Violin steps back from channel to pursue individual projects
Brett Yang and Eddy Chen announced they can no longer commit to producing content at the pace that defined the past 13 years of the comedy duo
Pedro Pascal plays a cellist in Behemoth!: how convincing is he?
Davina Shum attended the London premiere of the new film at the Royal Festival Hall – how did the actor’s cello playing hold up?
Pierre Fournier Award winner announced for 2026
US cellist Miriam K. Smith receives the top prize
Playing Hub
The versatility of solo violin repertoire: Er-Gene Kahng on ‘Threaded Currencies’
The violinist outlines how the medium of solo violin feels both timeless and contemporary, illustrated through her programme choices on her latest album
Sentimental Work: Cho-liang Lin on the Sibelius Violin Concerto
The Sibelius Violin Concerto holds incredible memories for the Taiwanese–American violinist, from studying with Dorothy DeLay to meeting Eugene Ormandy
Session Report: Richard Tognetti on recording Schoenberg, Vasks and Silvestrov with the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Violinist Richard Tognetti speaks to David Kettle about the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s latest album, which features music both new and familiar that is united by themes of remembrance and reflection
A torchbearer: cellist Sung-Won Yang on teaching and passing art to the next generation
The South Korean cellist shares with The Strad the importance of sound in the Korean school of string playing, as well as what motivates and inspires his teaching methods
Playing with perception: Gabriel Cabezas on recording Alyssa Weinberg’s ‘Pieces of Light’
Drawing inspiration from James Turrell’s light installations, cellist Gabriel Cabezas and composer Alyssa Weinberg explore the relationship between sound, space and perception in Pieces of Light. Cabezas speaks about multitracking, extended techniques and finding freedom in interpretation
‘What makes an Australian orchestra Australian?’ - Melbourne Symphony Orchestra string players in Arnhem Land
Four Melbourne Symphony Orchestra string players travelled up to rural far north Australia to perform at the Garma Festival alongside First Nations artists. Violist Aidan Filshie speaks to The Strad about the deep sense of meaning that came from the experience
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1948 violin by Zenon Wladimir Petesh
Bruce Braun Babbitt inspects the US maker’s mid-century instrument
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Richard Tognetti on recording Schoenberg, Vasks and Silvestrov with the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Violinist Richard Tognetti speaks to David Kettle about the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s latest album, which features music both new and familiar that is united by themes of remembrance and reflection
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1948 violin by Zenon Wladimir Petesh
Bruce Braun Babbitt inspects the US maker’s mid-century instrument
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Rhode Island: Newport Classical Music Festival
At the Newport Classical Music Festival, Rita Fernandes heard a variety of captivating performances against the elegant backdrop of a New England summer resort
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Pablo Ferrández on Dvořák’s Cello Concerto
Learning Dvořák’s Cello Concerto was a seminal part of the Spanish cellist’s musical development – and his interpretation is still evolving now
Competitions
Winners announced at the Wieniawski International Violin Competition
Ukrainian violinist Bohdan Luts has won the €60,000 first prize
Finalists announced for the 2026 Wieniawski Competition
Three violinists compete for the first prize of €60,000
Pierre Fournier Award winner announced for 2026
US cellist Miriam K. Smith receives the top prize
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Jocelyn Campbell’s new electronic violin work
An electronic work using fragments of violin playing
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: November 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Bach Violin Concerto in E major BWV1042, third movement
Julian Rachlin shines a light on this joyful movement comprising a satisfying musical architecture that alternates between anchoring refrains and exploratory soloistic episodes
Masterclass: Schumann Fairy-tale Pictures op.113, third and fourth movements
Patrick Yim explores two movements of juxtaposing characters that test a viola player’s versatility and technical skill
Masterclass: Bach Violin Concerto in E major BWV1042, third movement
Julian Rachlin shines a light on this joyful movement comprising a satisfying musical architecture that alternates between anchoring refrains and exploratory soloistic episodes
Masterclass: Schumann Fairy-tale Pictures op.113, third and fourth movements
Patrick Yim explores two movements of juxtaposing characters that test a viola player’s versatility and technical skill
Masterclass: Haydn Piano Trio in C major, Hob.XV:27, first movement
Violinist Elene Meipariani of Trio E.T.A. highlights the importance of finding a unified sound that brings life to this sprightly movement
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
Winners announced at the Wieniawski International Violin Competition
Ukrainian violinist Bohdan Luts has won the €60,000 first prize
Finalists announced for the 2026 Wieniawski Competition
Three violinists compete for the first prize of €60,000
Pierre Fournier Award winner announced for 2026
US cellist Miriam K. Smith receives the top prize
Just a little invention: Rachel Podger and Jane Rogers perform Bach
The pair performs Bach’s 15 Inventions: No. 8 in F Major, BWV 779, featured on a new album of duos
Just a little invention: Rachel Podger and Jane Rogers perform Bach
Pierre Fournier Award winner Annie Jacobs-Perkins presents a video from her new album
Violinist Yevgeny Kutik performs Ysaÿe Sonata for Solo Violin no.3
Pinchas Zukerman’s formative years explored in PBS documentary
Cellist Gabriel Cabezas performs Alyssa Weinberg’s ‘Pieces of Light’
‘The Final Bow’: documentary short exploring the fate of pernambuco
New video: ensemble132 performs Clara Schumann
‘Extraordinary depth and humanity’: 17-year-old cellist Daniel Dorn performs solo Bach
Watch: Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach during 9/11 ceremony in New York
12 Ensemble performs Arvo Pärt’s ‘Fratres’
- Previous
- Next
In Focus: A 1948 violin by Zenon Wladimir Petesh
Bruce Braun Babbitt inspects the US maker’s mid-century instrument
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1705–10 ‘Maurer, van Veen, Elphinstone’ Stradivari violin
A fine example of Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, the instrument has a two-piece back of gloriously flamed maple
Trade Secrets: Reinforcing a violin bridge with carbon rods
A method to improve the bridge’s durability and long-term reliability
‘A well-oiled engine that’s ready to go’: what cello does Sterling Elliott play?
In an excerpt from our November 2026 cover article, Sterling Elliott discusses his treasured instrument, a 1741 Gennaro Gagliano cello named ‘Ginger’
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1727 ‘Iwasaki’ Stradivari cello
Named after Japanese cellist Ko Iwasaki, the instrument has recently been loaned to Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk
The Strad Calendar 2027: c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ Stradivari violin
With a fascinating two-piece back, this violin contains wood from the same tree as that used for the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola
In Focus: A 1948 violin by Zenon Wladimir Petesh
Bruce Braun Babbitt inspects the US maker’s mid-century instrument
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1705–10 ‘Maurer, van Veen, Elphinstone’ Stradivari violin
A fine example of Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, the instrument has a two-piece back of gloriously flamed maple
Trade Secrets: Reinforcing a violin bridge with carbon rods
A method to improve the bridge’s durability and long-term reliability
‘A well-oiled engine that’s ready to go’: what cello does Sterling Elliott play?
In an excerpt from our November 2026 cover article, Sterling Elliott discusses his treasured instrument, a 1741 Gennaro Gagliano cello named ‘Ginger’
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1727 ‘Iwasaki’ Stradivari cello
Named after Japanese cellist Ko Iwasaki, the instrument has recently been loaned to Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk
The Strad Calendar 2027: c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ Stradivari violin
With a fascinating two-piece back, this violin contains wood from the same tree as that used for the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola
Festival round-up: Rencontres Musicales d’Évian
Charlotte Gardner reports on two days (1–2 July) of string-related highlights at the festival, which took place at Évian-les-Bains, France, from 24 June to 5 July
Concert review: Adrian Brendel (cello) Dénes Várjon (piano)
Janet Banks visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 12 July 2026 for the recital of Beethoven, Brahms, Kurtág and Dohnányi
Festival round-up: 2026 Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe
String players loomed large at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe (7–31 August), as David Kettle discovered
Leon Bosch: Treasures from the New World, Vol.4: Brazilian Piano Quintets
Plenty to entice the ear in this thought-provoking series
La Rêveuse: L’Enigme Sainte Colombe
A viola da gamba master comes to life in imaginative performances
Xavier Phillips: Piazzolla
Argentine classics compellingly reworked for cello
Book review: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reads the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the UK’s best-known cellists and pedagogues
Book review: The Golden Age of the Flemish Violins
Stefan Hersh reads Jan Strick’s long-awaited survey of instrument makers from Flanders, including contributions by Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans and Guy Rooryck
Book review: Monograph of the Antonio Stradivari Violin c.1667 ‘Back’, ‘Josefowitz’
Philip Brown reads the exhaustive study, published by Jost Thöne Verlag, bringing together the scholarship of violin experts with high-resolution photos, CT scans and analysis under different kinds of light
Debate
Opinion: the third ear
The most important musical ear a string player can develop might be the one that they can never physically possess themselves, says violinist, violist and teacher Alex Laing
Opinion: Playing with accompanists early on
Piano accompaniment is too often treated as an afterthought in teaching. Violinist Sendi Vartanovi argues that string students learn more effectively when collaboration begins from day one
Debate
Opinion: the third ear
The most important musical ear a string player can develop might be the one that they can never physically possess themselves, says violinist, violist and teacher Alex Laing
Opinion: Playing with accompanists early on
Piano accompaniment is too often treated as an afterthought in teaching. Violinist Sendi Vartanovi argues that string students learn more effectively when collaboration begins from day one
Festival round-up: Rencontres Musicales d’Évian
Charlotte Gardner reports on two days (1–2 July) of string-related highlights at the festival, which took place at Évian-les-Bains, France, from 24 June to 5 July
Concert review: Adrian Brendel (cello) Dénes Várjon (piano)
Janet Banks visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 12 July 2026 for the recital of Beethoven, Brahms, Kurtág and Dohnányi
Festival round-up: 2026 Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe
String players loomed large at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe (7–31 August), as David Kettle discovered
Book review: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reads the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the UK’s best-known cellists and pedagogues
Book review: The Golden Age of the Flemish Violins
Stefan Hersh reads Jan Strick’s long-awaited survey of instrument makers from Flanders, including contributions by Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans and Guy Rooryck
Book review: Monograph of the Antonio Stradivari Violin c.1667 ‘Back’, ‘Josefowitz’
Philip Brown reads the exhaustive study, published by Jost Thöne Verlag, bringing together the scholarship of violin experts with high-resolution photos, CT scans and analysis under different kinds of light
Leon Bosch: Treasures from the New World, Vol.4: Brazilian Piano Quintets
Plenty to entice the ear in this thought-provoking series
La Rêveuse: L’Enigme Sainte Colombe
A viola da gamba master comes to life in imaginative performances
Xavier Phillips: Piazzolla
Argentine classics compellingly reworked for cello
Artists
Sterling Elliott: coming full circle
The American cellist speaks with Lauren Wesley-Smith about his journey as a musician, the formative influence of the Sphinx Organization and finding his own voice in the digital age
‘Love what you do’: Antje Weithaas
Violinist Antje Weithaas talks to Pauline Harding about her varied career in teaching, performance and, most recently, conducting, which is carrying her in new and exciting directions as she approaches her 60th birthday
Juilliard Quartet at 80: lines of inquiry
As the Juilliard Quartet celebrates its 80th anniversary, its members speak to Thomas May about teaching, rehearsal‑room disagreement, new commissions and the essential questions that keep the ensemble’s tradition alive
Education Resources
-
-
The Strad Directory is the essential resource for the string music world, with over 2,300 listings providing information on string businesses across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Whether you are a string player searching for a new instrument or a business owner looking to reach your target audience, the Strad Directory remains the most comprehensive and user-friendly resource for the string music world.
Available from The Strad Shop
-
Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or an enthusiast, the Strad Shop is the number one source for books, CDs and back issues of the magazine. Products for sale include an exclusive range of instrument making posters, calendars and information products published by and directly for sale from The Strad.
- THE STRAD SHOP
Keep informed
