Featured Stories
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‘We could all do with being a little less vain’: Tanja Tetzlaff’s life lessons
The German cellist on her biggest influences and the importance of humility
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Terry Riley: Ninety journeys around the sun
The trailblazing Californian composer Terry Riley celebrates his 90th birthday this month. David Kettle speaks with him and with some of the musicians who have championed his eclectic, improvisatory music for strings
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‘Elman was the finest violinist in the world’ - From the Archive: June 1905
A 13-year-old Mischa Elman and 11-year-old Vivien Chartres (not 9, as stated in the text) astonish The Strad’s reviewer ‘Gamba’ with their technical prowess
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Blogs
Anne Akiko Meyers and the art of collaboration
The violinist on her new recordings of music by Philip Glass, Billy Childs, and Michael Daugherty—and what it means to build trust with the composers who write for her.
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Blogs
Always by my side: what do violinists keep in their case?
From spare shoulder rests, chinrest keys to various mutes and rosins, leading violinists reveal the items that they always carry with them when they are on the road. From the June 2025 Accessories supplement
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Article
The ‘Anti-Festival’ as a manifesto: festival director Peter Askim on the merits of integrity in the music business
The artistic director of The Next Festival of Emerging Artists outlines the unyielding ethos that has guided the festival for young artists, and why, against the odds, it works
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Video
‘Bien chanté’: Violinist Cristian de Sá on Ravel’s Sonate op. Posthume
2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Ravel’s birth. Along with pianist Keigo Mukawa, the violinist Cristian de Sá presents a performance of Ravel’s Posthumous Sonata, plus historical and personal insights on the work
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Blogs
French connection: the Ispir brothers following in the footsteps of the Capuçons
The violin-cello sibling duo of Luka and Léo Ispir speak to The Strad about their lifelong collaboration and inspiration, culminating in a debut album thanks to the Fondation Gautier Capuçon
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Sentimental Work: Baiba Skride on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
The Latvian violinist grew up with Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1, a work that allows a lot of freedom of expression – as her two recordings amply demonstrate
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Blogs
United Strings of Europe: how we got the rights to arrange Stravinsky
Julian Azkoul, artistic director of United Strings of Europe, outlines the journey to secure permission from the surviving Stravinsky family to create a string sextet arrangement of the ballet Apollon musagète
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Blogs
Sibelius Violin Concerto, then and now
Peter Manning examines the history of Sibelius’ monumental concerto and why the work still holds prominence in the 21st century
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Blogs
Play of light and shadow: The Chiaroscuro Quartet at 20
As the ensemble releases a new Haydn recording, the Chiaroscuro Quartet looks back on twenty years of daring contrasts and expressive clarity
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Blogs
The Belinfante Quartet presents ‘Death of Venice’
Violist of the Belinfante Quartet Henrietta Hill shares how the ensemble’s tour programme connects theatrical music with the growing concerns of climate change
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Opinion: Intelligent approaches to the bow in orchestral playing
The default for many orchestral string players is to use as much bow as possible to achieve maximum projection. Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that a more thoughtful approach is necessary
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Session Report: Leon Bosch on recording his album ‘The British Double Bass Sonatina’
Leon Bosch tells Harry White about his new album of double bass sonatinas – seven brand new works that he commissioned from a circle of contemporary British composers
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Analysis June 2025: Newest AI developments in music education
With AI advances almost constantly making headlines in the news, what benefits might it have for the future of music education? By Peter Somerford
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Flying the flag for young talent: young artists’ schemes
As the Young Classical Artists Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary, Jessica Duchen hears from artists whose careers have been supported by this and other schemes for emerging talent
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Blogs
Violinist Nikolay Madoyan: redefining boundaries
Armenian-German violinist Nikolay Madoyan sits down with Erik Bach to discuss his tour featuring Paganini’s formidable 24 Caprices, revealing the profound inner world and unique musical path behind his masterful interpretations
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Blogs
‘This sacred art is under tremendous threat’: Guy Johnston on the Newark School of Violin Making
Cellist Guy Johnston recalls his experience interacting with Newark student Julius Hennicke in 2018, and why the school needs support in continuing its craft