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Join us at Mondomusica Cremona, 2–4 October at Cremona Exhibition Centre!
Meet The Strad team at stand 269 and pick up your free copy of the magazine.
‘The incredible breadth of his humanity’: the Ariel Quartet on completing its Beethoven string quartet recording cycle
Getting closer: exploring music for the cello on Colin Riley’s new album ‘Ones Twos and Threes’
17-year-old violinist takes up All Classical Radio residency
Fort Myers Philharmonic appoints new concertmaster
Obituary: luthier Christian Bayon (1955–2026)
David Garrett on his Stradivari and Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violins: ‘I’m curating a small collection of my own’
Ahead of the release of his new album Immortal, David Garrett speaks to Eric Wen about the Stradivari and Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violins that have shaped his career, and why he has become an avid collector of fine instruments
‘The Final Bow’: documentary short exploring the fate of pernambuco
The film looks at efforts to conserve the tree, regarded as an iconic symbol of Brazil, and its use by bow makers worldwide
Fundraiser launched after fire destroys 1704 Guarneri cello and family home
A fire has destroyed Tanya and Gerald Carey’s family home, along with instruments and personal items
Playing Hub
William Primrose shares his thoughts with The Strad - From the archive: October 1936
The star violist William Primrose proves himself a devotee of The Strad, as he gives his thoughts on some points raised by correspondents in the Letters page
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
‘The more talent and perspectives, the better’: David Finckel on Beethoven’s piano trios
Cellist David Finckel tells Thomas May about recording Beethoven’s six piano trios with Wu Han, each featuring a different violinist – and why the project reflects the philosophy behind their ArtistLed label
Geneva Lewis: the sport of chamber music
What can collaborating musicians learn from tennis players? Violinist and former junior tennis player Geneva Lewis shares how the mindset of adaptability, creativity and spontaneity can benefit players both in the concert hall and on the court
From ‘get it right’ to ‘give it a try’: how clowning informed my cello career
Through a career spanning classical cello and clowning, Karen Hall discovers that true success is not about getting everything right, but about remaining open, responsive and human
‘A constant friend’: Thomas Bowes on a homecoming recording of Elgar’s Violin Concerto
As he releases a new recording of Elgar’s Violin Concerto and five miniatures, violinist Thomas Bowes reflects on a lifelong relationship with the concerto, the emotional resonance of recording at Abbey Road Studio 1 and the camaraderie behind the project with Sinfonia Arcadiana and composer Eleanor Alberga
Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: The curious case of the underslide
Mika Seifert uncovers evidence that the so-called ‘Hill slide’ might not have been created at the British-based violin firm at all, but may in fact have been an invention of W.A. Pfretzschner
Premium ❘ Feature
William Primrose shares his thoughts with The Strad - From the archive: October 1936
The star violist William Primrose proves himself a devotee of The Strad, as he gives his thoughts on some points raised by correspondents in the Letters page
Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: The curious case of the underslide
Mika Seifert uncovers evidence that the so-called ‘Hill slide’ might not have been created at the British-based violin firm at all, but may in fact have been an invention of W.A. Pfretzschner
Premium ❘ Focus
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
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Canada: Montreal International Music Competition
Rita Fernandes reports from the 2026 violin edition of the Montreal International Music Competition, which integrated new features while retaining its traditionally world-class level
Competitions
Finalists announced for 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Six violinists will perform in the final rounds from 30 September
Semi-finalists announced at 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Several of the 16 competitors are first-prize laureates of previous international violin competitions in recent years
Violinist wins the 2026 Concertino Praga’s keyboard and strings division
US–Japanese violinist Lin Tokura receives the first prize scholarship of €5,000 and a recording opportunity
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: William Marsey’s new string quartet
Anglican chant inspires a new string quartet
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: October 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
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
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
Masterclass: Grieg Violin Sonata no.3 in C minor, op.45, first movement
Esther Yoo guides violinists through a movement of turbulence and tenderness in a work that requires complete technical command
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
Finalists announced for 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Six violinists will perform in the final rounds from 30 September
Semi-finalists announced at 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Several of the 16 competitors are first-prize laureates of previous international violin competitions in recent years
Violinist wins the 2026 Concertino Praga’s keyboard and strings division
US–Japanese violinist Lin Tokura receives the first prize scholarship of €5,000 and a recording opportunity
Cellist Gabriel Cabezas performs Alyssa Weinberg’s ‘Pieces of Light’
Cabezas performs Shimmer, the latest single from the upcoming album of Weinberg’s suite, Pieces of Light
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’
Trailer drops for ‘A Song for the Snow Lion’ film, featuring Yo-Yo Ma
New video: Ilya Kaler and Rasa Vitkauskaite perform Florence Price’s ‘Adoration’
Signum Quartet performs Vítězslava Kaprálová
Spring Cadenzas: violinist Midori performs a Covid-commissioned concerto by Derek Bermel
- Previous
- Next
Making Matters: The curious case of the underslide
Mika Seifert uncovers evidence that the so-called ‘Hill slide’ might not have been created at the British-based violin firm at all, but may in fact have been an invention of W.A. Pfretzschner
Trade Secrets: Making a custom cutter for a second-hole bushing
Adam Goltry introduces a specialised tool for bow makers to use when carrying out a tricky repair job
Ratios and rulers: instrument geometry
How did the old Italian makers measure out their instrument patterns? David Beard reveals evidence showing that they made use of both ratios and the standard measurements used at the time
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1710 Stradivari violin
The ‘golden period’ violin is currently played by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Ludvig Gudim
My Space: Manuel Ramírez’s San Salvador workshop
The luthier presents his El Salvador shop
In Focus: An 1830 violin by Giuseppe Dall’Aglio
Claudio Amighetti examines the 19th-century instrument
Making Matters: The curious case of the underslide
Mika Seifert uncovers evidence that the so-called ‘Hill slide’ might not have been created at the British-based violin firm at all, but may in fact have been an invention of W.A. Pfretzschner
Trade Secrets: Making a custom cutter for a second-hole bushing
Adam Goltry introduces a specialised tool for bow makers to use when carrying out a tricky repair job
Ratios and rulers: instrument geometry
How did the old Italian makers measure out their instrument patterns? David Beard reveals evidence showing that they made use of both ratios and the standard measurements used at the time
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1710 Stradivari violin
The ‘golden period’ violin is currently played by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Ludvig Gudim
My Space: Manuel Ramírez’s San Salvador workshop
The luthier presents his El Salvador shop
In Focus: An 1830 violin by Giuseppe Dall’Aglio
Claudio Amighetti examines the 19th-century instrument
Concert review: Timothy Ridout (viola) Britten Sinfonia/Thomas Larcher
Edward Bhesania attends London’s Wigmore Hall on 7 July 2026 for the recital of Britten, Pärt, John Adams, Hindemith and Bach
Concert review: Pinchas Zukerman (violin, viola) Zurich Chamber Orchestra/Daniel Hope (violin)
Carlos María Solare visits the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany, for the concert of Haydn and Mozart on 12 July 2026
Louis Kaufman: Smetana, Tchaikovsky
Much to admire in these highly personal Romantic piano trios
Michael Foyle: Adès, Elgar, Walton
A fresh vision of the English violin sonata
Elinor Frey: C.P.E. Bach
A historically attuned approach reaps rewards
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: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reviews the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, from the British cellist’s early years growing up in South Kensington to his time as principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – and beyond
Debate
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
Opinion: How community teaching can inspire all teachers
Nabile Galván outlines how community-based teaching can inform all educators, no matter where they teach
Debate
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
Opinion: How community teaching can inspire all teachers
Nabile Galván outlines how community-based teaching can inform all educators, no matter where they teach
Concert review: Timothy Ridout (viola) Britten Sinfonia/Thomas Larcher
Edward Bhesania attends London’s Wigmore Hall on 7 July 2026 for the recital of Britten, Pärt, John Adams, Hindemith and Bach
Concert review: Pinchas Zukerman (violin, viola) Zurich Chamber Orchestra/Daniel Hope (violin)
Carlos María Solare visits the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany, for the concert of Haydn and Mozart on 12 July 2026
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: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reviews the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, from the British cellist’s early years growing up in South Kensington to his time as principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – and beyond
Louis Kaufman: Smetana, Tchaikovsky
Much to admire in these highly personal Romantic piano trios
Michael Foyle: Adès, Elgar, Walton
A fresh vision of the English violin sonata
Elinor Frey: C.P.E. Bach
A historically attuned approach reaps rewards
Artists
‘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
Brett Dean: the music from within
Australian composer and violist Brett Dean has long drawn on his experience from playing inside the orchestra to shape his own music. He tells Jessica Duchen about how his writing and playing continue to inform each other
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