All Focus articles
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1712 ‘Viotti, Hottinger’ Antonio Stradivari violin
’The noble beauty of its tone seems to us to echo the elevated style of Viotti’s compositions’ said the Hills of this violin
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1767 Nicolò Gagliano cello
Formerly owned by Roger Smith of the Gagliano Trio, this fine example of Gagliano’s work is now played by Thomas Mesa
-
Focus‘You can combine all those influences into your own playing’ - Hilary Hahn’s violin heroes
In this throwback to an interview from 1999, Hilary Hahn shares why she finds inspiration in the playing of great violinists including Brodsky, Elman, Milstein, Kriesler, Grumiaux and Heifetz
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1713 ‘G. Schönau’ Antonio Stradivari violin
This fascinating example of Stradivari’s work is played by Nikki Chooi, the current concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1741 ‘Bohrer, Baumgartner’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
Currently played by Kerson Leong, this is an ‘outstanding concert instrument in excellent condition’
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1699 ‘Dubois’ Antonio Stradivari cello
With a fine red-brown varnish, this cello may have been made with wood from the same tree as the famed ’Cristiani, Stauffer’
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1773–78 ‘Crafoord’ Guadagnini viola
The back of this viola is made from two pieces of bird’s-eye maple cut on the slab, with a faint figure running more or less horizontally
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1727 ‘Eugenio di Barbaro’ Stradivari violin
Made during the tail end of the master luthier’s life, this instrument also displays the hands of his sons Omobono and Francesco
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1785 Guadagnini violin
Played by Émilie Auclair, this is one of the last instruments to be made by Guadagnini, who died a year later
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1710 ‘Meneses’ Matteo Gofriller cello
With a deep amber-brown varnish, this was for many years the principal performing instrument of cellist Antonio Meneses
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1691 ‘Leopold Auer’ Antonio Stradivari violin
The instrument, with copious red-brown varnish, is named after one of the most important violin pedagogues who ever lived
-
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2026: 1741 ‘Titan’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
This fine example of Guarneri’s work has a back that may have been shaped by his father, Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’
-
FocusHappy birthday to Itzhak Perlman!
In celebration of the violinist’s birthday on 31 August, enjoy six pearls of wisdom from the man himself
-
FocusWhat viola does Tabea Zimmermann play?
The Strad’s September 2025 cover artist shares details about her instrument and bow
-
FocusMaking Matters: The consequences of a pernambuco ban
With a worldwide ban on the pernambuco trade again becoming a real possibility, Christian Lloyd looks at the potential consequences for musicians, makers, dealers and anyone who loves instrument bows
-
Focus‘City of Music’ - a report from Harbin’s Schoenfeld International String Competition
The recent competition, which was held in July 2025, is described as ’a multifaceted platform bridging the cultures of East and West, Old and New, Local and Global.’ The Strad takes a look at the festivities
-
FocusWords of Wisdom: Double bassist Gary Karr
The double bassist offered advice from his playing and teaching career in our June 2011 issue
-
FocusIlya Finkelshteyn: Playing the Domenico Montagnana ‘Farina’ cello 1730
Cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn shares his experience of playing the ’Farina’, the cover instrument of The Strad’s July 2025 issue and poster. He is principal cellist in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, a faculty member of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and a frequent performer at the Mostly Mozart ...
-
FocusMy experience: cellist Natalia Vilchis, Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University
’It’s been a journey, and a life-changing experience; not only in the academic regard, but also because you meet people who are going to be in your life for ever!’ says the cellist
-
FocusMy experience: double bassist Marcelo Rodrigues, Royal Northern College of Music
’My favourite aspect of studying here has been the proximity to the professional world,’ says the double bassist
