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‘Big sound – not just loud, but big’: remembering violinist and pedagogue Jan Mark Sloman
‘The process of writing has always been the space where I can process everything’: Andrea Casarrubios - Her Voice Matters
May 2026: Editor’s welcome and contents
Mandelring Quartet awarded the 2026 Brahms Prize
LPO violinist recovers instrument left on train
May 2026: Editor’s welcome and contents
The Strad’s editor Emma Baker introduces the May issue, in which the Chiaroscuro Quartet discusses its approach to recording the complete string quartets of Beethoven
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
Fear of winning: why preparation alone is not enough
It’s easy to understand how fear of failure can hinder a performance, but the unconscious fear of success can be just as destructive. Cellist Joanna Latała delves into what sport psychology already understands — and music still avoids
Playing Hub
Between D minor and its shadow: listening for meaning in a place of tension
Contrary to the extremes of opinion in music – loud versus soft, technique versus expression, major versus minor – violinist Hector Scott explores how meaning can be found in the tension between these dichotomies
‘Big sound – not just loud, but big’: remembering violinist and pedagogue Jan Mark Sloman
Violinist Shannon Lee revisits the lessons, humour and lasting influence of her late teacher Jan Mark Sloman, whose posthumous book Notes to a Violinist captures a lifetime of pedagogical insight and belief in young musicians
‘The process of writing has always been the space where I can process everything’: Andrea Casarrubios - Her Voice Matters
Anthony Arnone profiles Spanish‑American composer and cellist Andrea Casarrubios, tracing her journey from world‑class performer to one of today’s most sought‑after voices in string music
‘A rendez-vous with silence’: cellist Camille Thomas on making her new album at Tippet Rise Art Center
At Tippet Rise in Montana, where music meets landscape and sculpture, Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas reflects on creating her new album Rendez-vous.
Concert review: violinist Rachel Barton Pine bridges classic repertoire and contemporary realities
Richard Linnett reports back from the violinist’s performance of Dvořák, Beethoven, Dolores White, William Grant Still and Billy Childs on 11 April at Los Alamos Concert Association
Kian Ravaei: intertwining Persian and Jewish Music
Composer Kian Ravaei reflects on writing The Four Seasons of Hamadan, a new work for violin and dancer that intertwines Persian and Jewish traditions
Premium ❘ Feature
Many voices, one sound: orchestral blending
How is it possible to create a seamless yet distinctive orchestral string sound? Players from some of the world’s leading orchestras speak to Peter Somerford about the techniques, traditions and listening skills that shape an orchestral identity
Premium ❘ Feature
Chiaroscuro Quartet: gut instinct
The musicians of the Chiaroscuro Quartet talk to Pauline Harding about the challenges of playing on gut strings, and the emotionally and physically demanding experience of recording the complete Beethoven string quartets
Premium ❘ Feature
Many voices, one sound: orchestral blending
How is it possible to create a seamless yet distinctive orchestral string sound? Players from some of the world’s leading orchestras speak to Peter Somerford about the techniques, traditions and listening skills that shape an orchestral identity
Premium ❘ Focus
‘What you have to say is relevant to more people than you think’ - Tanja Becker Bender’s life lessons
The German violinist on connecting with audiences and staying true to your convictions
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Boca Raton: 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
At the 2026 edition of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition in Florida, Martin Goldman found the standard was higher than ever
Competitions
Results announced for 6th Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition
Violinists from five different age categories were celebrated at the competition held from 6 to 12 April 2026
Winners announced for 2026 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition
The Dolphins Quartet receives $10,000 and performance engagement, as well as the audience prize
Results announced at the Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition
The Isla Quartet took home both the first prize and audience prize
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: May 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Bernd Richard Deutsch’s new saxophone quintet
Each movement channels a different emotion in this new saxophone quintet
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
Results announced for 6th Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition
Violinists from five different age categories were celebrated at the competition held from 6 to 12 April 2026
Winners announced for 2026 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition
The Dolphins Quartet receives $10,000 and performance engagement, as well as the audience prize
Results announced at the Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition
The Isla Quartet took home both the first prize and audience prize
Happy birthday Florence Price! Mount Vernon Virtuosi CelloGang performs String Quartet in G major
Florence Price was born on this day in 1887. Amit Peled and his cello students commemorate the American composer with an arrangement of her 1929 quartet for cello ensemble
Happy birthday Florence Price! Mount Vernon Virtuosi CelloGang performs String Quartet in G major
Guitar textures on the violin: Tomás Cotik performs Albéniz’s ‘Asturias’
‘Prokofiev in a mosh pit’ – ORBI’s arrangement of Muse’s Unsustainable
‘This piece has everything a violinist can ask for’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on the Elgar Violin Concerto
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
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Obituary: violin maker Michael Jaumann (1966–2025)
The president of the Association of German Violin and Bow Makers was 59 years old
Why do some 18th-century French violins have an ebony border round the edges?
Inspired by a c.1760 Chappuy instrument, violinist and cellist Michel Lorge considers the reasons for an unusual stylistic quirk of 18th-century violin making
Rudolf Neudörfer: guardian of a lineage
The German bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer celebrates his 90th birthday next month. Gennady Filimonov looks back at his life and career, exploring the Neudörfer dynasty of makers and examining his bows
My Space: Andreas Hampel and Susanne Riebesehl’s Hamburg workshop
The two luthiers present their German workshop
Making Matters: How to make a lighter viola
For some violists, playing on a lighter instrument is their holy grail. Laurent Zakowsky describes his methods to accomplish this, from thinning the back to changing the chinrest
Trade Secrets: Final scroll refinement
Some notes on finishing off one of the trickiest parts of the making process
Obituary: violin maker Michael Jaumann (1966–2025)
The president of the Association of German Violin and Bow Makers was 59 years old
Why do some 18th-century French violins have an ebony border round the edges?
Inspired by a c.1760 Chappuy instrument, violinist and cellist Michel Lorge considers the reasons for an unusual stylistic quirk of 18th-century violin making
Rudolf Neudörfer: guardian of a lineage
The German bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer celebrates his 90th birthday next month. Gennady Filimonov looks back at his life and career, exploring the Neudörfer dynasty of makers and examining his bows
My Space: Andreas Hampel and Susanne Riebesehl’s Hamburg workshop
The two luthiers present their German workshop
Making Matters: How to make a lighter viola
For some violists, playing on a lighter instrument is their holy grail. Laurent Zakowsky describes his methods to accomplish this, from thinning the back to changing the chinrest
Trade Secrets: Final scroll refinement
Some notes on finishing off one of the trickiest parts of the making process
Concert review: Jennifer Pike (violin) Czech Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Raiskin
Hattie Butterworth attends the performance of Janáček, Bruch, Shostakovich and Dvořák at London’s Cadogan Hall on 18 February 2026
Concert review: Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Karina Canellakis
Edward Bhesania ventures to London’s Royal Festival Hall on 18 February 2026 for the performance of Tchaikovsky, Sibelius Previn and Beethoven
Concert review: James Ehnes (violin) Andrew Armstrong (piano)
Hattie Butterworth visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 16 February 2026 for the recital of Mozart, Elgar, Ravel, Wieniawski and Bazzini
Miriam Prandi: Bach
Subtlety of approach allows an Italian to stand out
Thomas Christian Ensemble: Bittner
A lawyer-turned-composer proves disappointingly conservative
Adorno Quartet: Castelnuovo-Tedesco
A guitar great proves his mettle in the quintet medium
Book review: Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras
Arts consultant Mark Pemberton reads Samuel Cairnduff’s new publication on leadership in orchestral ensembles
Book review: Viva Casals! Sayings, stories and impressions of Pablo Casals
Tully Potter reads Julian Lloyd Webber’s tome collecting together the wit and wisdom of the iconic 20th-century cellist Pablo Casals
Book review: Concertmaster Leadership: A guide for violinists
Nathaniel Vallois reads Marjory Serrano-Coyer’s guide for aspiring concertmasters to get the best out of their section, from technique and style to diplomatic attributes
Debate
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
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
Debate
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
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
Accessories
Products May 2026: OldWood Italian Varnish Rosso Antico
A new varnish colour from OldWood
Products May 2026: Leatherwood Rosin Golden Ratio rosin
An anniversary rosin takes inspiration from the Golden Ratio
Products May 2026: Strappy Music violin and viola straps
The straps for both violin and viola help support the instrument’s weight
Concert review: Jennifer Pike (violin) Czech Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Raiskin
Hattie Butterworth attends the performance of Janáček, Bruch, Shostakovich and Dvořák at London’s Cadogan Hall on 18 February 2026
Concert review: Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Karina Canellakis
Edward Bhesania ventures to London’s Royal Festival Hall on 18 February 2026 for the performance of Tchaikovsky, Sibelius Previn and Beethoven
Concert review: James Ehnes (violin) Andrew Armstrong (piano)
Hattie Butterworth visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 16 February 2026 for the recital of Mozart, Elgar, Ravel, Wieniawski and Bazzini
Book review: Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras
Arts consultant Mark Pemberton reads Samuel Cairnduff’s new publication on leadership in orchestral ensembles
Book review: Viva Casals! Sayings, stories and impressions of Pablo Casals
Tully Potter reads Julian Lloyd Webber’s tome collecting together the wit and wisdom of the iconic 20th-century cellist Pablo Casals
Book review: Concertmaster Leadership: A guide for violinists
Nathaniel Vallois reads Marjory Serrano-Coyer’s guide for aspiring concertmasters to get the best out of their section, from technique and style to diplomatic attributes
Miriam Prandi: Bach
Subtlety of approach allows an Italian to stand out
Thomas Christian Ensemble: Bittner
A lawyer-turned-composer proves disappointingly conservative
Adorno Quartet: Castelnuovo-Tedesco
A guitar great proves his mettle in the quintet medium
Artists
Yehudi Menuhin 110th anniversary: music with friends
To mark the 110th anniversary of Yehudi Menuhin’s birth on 22 April 1916, Tully Potter presents an overview of the great violinist’s numerous chamber music partnerships and their recordings
‘Never just the notes’: the musical and teaching legacy of Igor Ozim
The violinist and pedagogue Igor Ozim died on 23 March 2024. Two years on, Dijana Ihas writes about his legacy to commemorate a teacher whose seven‑decade career shaped generations of musicians through his analytical clarity, uncompromising discipline and deep commitment to musical expression
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
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