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Across the Americas: The Miró Quartet celebrates Alberto Ginastera
Winners announced at the Schoenfeld International String Competition
BBC Philharmonic appoints second principal double bass
Two Czech pieces you should know: violinist Kryštof Kohout
Chamber music prizes awarded at the Schoenfeld International String Competition
Obituary: violist Karen Ritscher (1952-2025)
The influential violist had a wide-ranging career in performance and academia, with a special interest in movement and self-expression as a champion of Karen Tuttle’s coordination approach
Latvian cellist Marta Sudraba has died
The cellist, who was a member of Kremerata Baltica since 1997, was 50
Memories of János Starker: Hamilton Cheifetz
Celebrating the anniversary of János Starker’s birth on 5 July, cellist Hamilton Cheifetz shares cherished lessons and memories of his former teacher
Playing Hub
Two Czech pieces you should know: violinist Kryštof Kohout
Kryštof Kohout unearths two pieces by Czech composers Luboš Fišer and Váša Příhoda, ahead of their London premieres at Wigmore Hall
'If you play without mistake I will make you a present' - From the Archive: August 1905
A reminiscence (possibly apocryphal) of the renowned Scottish fiddler Niel Gow (1727–1807), composer of more than 80 dance tunes
Letters from Lony: how letters from an Auschwitz victim became the subject for a chamber work
Ronald Corps’ setting of Lony Fraenkel’s letters to her family during World War II will be performed at the Three Choirs Festival on 1 August
An avalanche of memories: Álvaro Bitrán remembers János Starker
The cellist of the Latin American Quartet shares memories of tough love and camaraderie with his former teacher, who died in 2013
‘A dream finally realised’: Rachel Barton Pine on recording French chamber works with old friends
The violinist discusses long-standing musical friendships, the lyrical intensity of Chausson’s Concert and the overlooked brilliance of Germaine Tailleferre.
Postcard from France: Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition
At the 2025 edition of the triennial Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition, Charlotte Gardner was delighted to hear a dazzlingly high standard of music making
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Violinist Rachel Podger on recording Biber sonatas
Violinist Rachel Podger tells Peter Quantrill about her new recording of Biber sonatas, and how the music has both a sense of the unexpected and the power to soothe and delight
Premium ❘ Feature
Teaching lutherie in Latin America: sowing the seeds for success
Peter Somerford explores how an instrument repair initiative, set up by the Latin American youth orchestra venture Iberorquestas and violin maker Lionnel Genovart, has grown to create a new generation of luthiers
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: Violinist Rachel Podger on recording Biber sonatas
Violinist Rachel Podger tells Peter Quantrill about her new recording of Biber sonatas, and how the music has both a sense of the unexpected and the power to soothe and delight
Premium ❘ Focus
‘People sense when you are genuinely passionate about something’ - Stephen Upshaw’s life lessons
The Solem Quartet violist on the life of a chamber musician and how to create your own professional path
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Ayanna Witter-Johnson on Debussy’s Cello Sonata
Discovering the myriad colours and layers of Debussy’s Cello Sonata was an eye-opening experience for the British cellist, pianist, vocalist and composer
Competitions
Winners announced at the Schoenfeld International String Competition
15-year-old Jeri Lee and 22-year-old Meng Zou won the cello and violin divisions respectively
Finalists announced for the Schoenfeld International String Competition
Three violinists and three cellists have progressed to the final round, which will be held on Wednesday 23 July
Ensembles announced for the Schoenfeld International String Competition chamber music division
Nine chamber groups will perform on the 21 July final
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: August 2025
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Tyson Gholston Davis’s new work for the Jack Quartet
A gestural piece of art inspires a new string quartet
Masterclass: Dvořák String Quartet no.12 ‘American’, second movement
Cellist of the Dover Quartet Camden Shaw illustrates the importance of sound exploration in this bittersweet movement that can be seen as a metaphor for life and its many tribulations
Masterclass: Schumann Fantasiestücke for cello and piano
These three pieces pose an opportunity to create a dream-like sound world illustrating love in all its forms, says cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca
Masterclass: Dvořák String Quartet no.12 ‘American’, second movement
Cellist of the Dover Quartet Camden Shaw illustrates the importance of sound exploration in this bittersweet movement that can be seen as a metaphor for life and its many tribulations
Masterclass: Schumann Fantasiestücke for cello and piano
These three pieces pose an opportunity to create a dream-like sound world illustrating love in all its forms, says cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major, first movement
Remembering that Mozart was an opera composer and understanding harmonies are the keys to bringing out the various characters in this work, says violinist Tobias Feldmann
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 Schoenfeld International String Competition
15-year-old Jeri Lee and 22-year-old Meng Zou won the cello and violin divisions respectively
Finalists announced for the Schoenfeld International String Competition
Three violinists and three cellists have progressed to the final round, which will be held on Wednesday 23 July
Ensembles announced for the Schoenfeld International String Competition chamber music division
Nine chamber groups will perform on the 21 July final
Cellist Sterling Elliott performs Kevin Day’s ‘Gymnopédie I’
Elliott and pianist Wynona Wang perform the ‘dreamy and otherworldly’ work for the Lincoln Center’s Sidewalk Sessions
Cellist Sterling Elliott performs Kevin Day’s ‘Gymnopédie I’
At the World’s Edge: Huw Watkins String Trio no.2
Watch: Alisa Weilerstein performs The Recovery of Paradise: Blackford Cello Concerto
Just Biber: a new video from violinist Rachel Podger
New video: Lembit Beecher’s ‘Green Line’ performed by cellist Karen Ouzounian
WATCH: Antonio Mormone International Prize finals – day four
WATCH: Antonio Mormone International Prize finals - day three
WATCH: Antonio Mormone International Prize finals - day two
WATCH: Antonio Mormone International Prize finals - day one
‘Bien chanté’: Violinist Cristian de Sá on Ravel’s Sonate op. Posthume
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Teaching lutherie in Latin America: sowing the seeds for success
Peter Somerford explores how an instrument repair initiative, set up by the Latin American youth orchestra venture Iberorquestas and violin maker Lionnel Genovart, has grown to create a new generation of luthiers
In Focus: A 1659 violin by Nicolò Amati
Colin Adamson examines a mid-17th-century violin by the revered Cremonese maker
Analysis August 2025: Prospects for young bow makers, repairers and restorers
With bow making a fixture on the ‘red list’ of endangered crafts in the UK, what’s the outlook for new students looking to become bow makers, repairers and restorers? By Peter Somerford
Partial success for Newark violin making students as one-year courses announced
The new courses will cost £4,000 and students will receive certificates of competency on completion
Making Matters: constructing a quartet from one maple tree
Hans Jóhannsson reflects on the experience of making a quartet of instruments using maple sourced from a single tree
My Space: Alan Beavitt’s Scoraig workshop
Take a tour of the maker’s Scottish shop
Teaching lutherie in Latin America: sowing the seeds for success
Peter Somerford explores how an instrument repair initiative, set up by the Latin American youth orchestra venture Iberorquestas and violin maker Lionnel Genovart, has grown to create a new generation of luthiers
In Focus: A 1659 violin by Nicolò Amati
Colin Adamson examines a mid-17th-century violin by the revered Cremonese maker
Analysis August 2025: Prospects for young bow makers, repairers and restorers
With bow making a fixture on the ‘red list’ of endangered crafts in the UK, what’s the outlook for new students looking to become bow makers, repairers and restorers? By Peter Somerford
Partial success for Newark violin making students as one-year courses announced
The new courses will cost £4,000 and students will receive certificates of competency on completion
Making Matters: constructing a quartet from one maple tree
Hans Jóhannsson reflects on the experience of making a quartet of instruments using maple sourced from a single tree
My Space: Alan Beavitt’s Scoraig workshop
Take a tour of the maker’s Scottish shop
Concert review: Pablo Ferrández (cello), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Domingo Hindoyan
Edward Bhesania hears the performance of Roberto Sierra, Elgar and Rachmaninoff at London’s Barbican Hall on 19 May 2025
Concert review: Diotima Quartet
Peter Quantrill pays a visit to London’s Milton Court on 18 May 2025 for this Boulez anniversary recital, with a smattering of Bach and Webern
Concert review: Castalian Quartet, Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello)
Janet Banks visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 16 May 2025 for the recital of Natalie Klouda, Thomas Adès and Schubert
The Strad Recommends: Chiaroscuro Quartet: Haydn
A freshness of approach proves winning in this evolving Haydn cycle
The Strad Recommends: Miró Quartet: Ginastera
A quartet marks its 30th birthday on searing form
The Strad Recommends: Hans Christian Aavik: Bruch
A competition winner shows his mettle in highly contrasting works
Book review: Made in Italy: Strings Attached – Four Seasons of an Italian Violin
Raphael Klayman reads Thomas Walter Kelley’s account of his journey to Italy to learn the history of his 1810 Ceruti violin
Book review: Robert Schumann’s Leipzig Chamber Works: Music in the Great Stream of Time
Robin Stowell reviews Julie Hedges Brown’s study of Schumann’s three string quartets op.41, Piano Quintet op.44 and Piano Quartet op.47
Book review: Antonio Stradivari: The Complete Works
Eric Wen scrutinises the mammoth six-volume work by Beares Publishing comprising all the known works of Antonio Stradivari along with his sons
Debate
Opinion: Strategies for coming back to your instrument
Returning to your instrument after a long break can be dispiriting, says cellist Davina Shum, but it’s important to take it by degrees, have faith in your ability and trust the process
Opinion: The future of lutherie after the Newark School’s course cancellations
News came in May that the Newark School of Violin Making is withdrawing its degree-level courses. Helen Michetschläger, who trained at the school, says what this might mean for the future of lutherie worldwide
Debate
Opinion: Strategies for coming back to your instrument
Returning to your instrument after a long break can be dispiriting, says cellist Davina Shum, but it’s important to take it by degrees, have faith in your ability and trust the process
Opinion: The future of lutherie after the Newark School’s course cancellations
News came in May that the Newark School of Violin Making is withdrawing its degree-level courses. Helen Michetschläger, who trained at the school, says what this might mean for the future of lutherie worldwide
Accessories
Products August 2025: TekPin Conservatory Model endpin
The company released a more affordable version of their endpin
Products August 2025: StringRise Box Instruments
A new cardboard instrument to help with early string teaching
Products August 2025: BAM Bonbon cases
A burst of colour in the company’s Hightech range
Concert review: Pablo Ferrández (cello), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Domingo Hindoyan
Edward Bhesania hears the performance of Roberto Sierra, Elgar and Rachmaninoff at London’s Barbican Hall on 19 May 2025
Concert review: Diotima Quartet
Peter Quantrill pays a visit to London’s Milton Court on 18 May 2025 for this Boulez anniversary recital, with a smattering of Bach and Webern
Concert review: Castalian Quartet, Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello)
Janet Banks visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 16 May 2025 for the recital of Natalie Klouda, Thomas Adès and Schubert
Book review: Made in Italy: Strings Attached – Four Seasons of an Italian Violin
Raphael Klayman reads Thomas Walter Kelley’s account of his journey to Italy to learn the history of his 1810 Ceruti violin
Book review: Robert Schumann’s Leipzig Chamber Works: Music in the Great Stream of Time
Robin Stowell reviews Julie Hedges Brown’s study of Schumann’s three string quartets op.41, Piano Quintet op.44 and Piano Quartet op.47
Book review: Antonio Stradivari: The Complete Works
Eric Wen scrutinises the mammoth six-volume work by Beares Publishing comprising all the known works of Antonio Stradivari along with his sons
The Strad Recommends: Chiaroscuro Quartet: Haydn
A freshness of approach proves winning in this evolving Haydn cycle
The Strad Recommends: Miró Quartet: Ginastera
A quartet marks its 30th birthday on searing form
The Strad Recommends: Hans Christian Aavik: Bruch
A competition winner shows his mettle in highly contrasting works
Artists
Words of Wisdom: Double bassist Gary Karr
The double bassist offered advice from his playing and teaching career in our June 2011 issue
Adam Summerhayes: Music shaped by instinct
Adam Summerhayes is a violinist and composer who combines his flair for improvisation and a love of folk music with a classical training and technique. He speaks to Alexandra Petropoulos about his latest projects and his very special instruments
Music between friends: Sheku Kanneh-Mason on his new album, ‘Shostakovich & Britten’
The British cellist speaks to The Strad about his deeply personal new album, the influence of Rostropovich and the emotional extremes that keep him returning to this music.
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