The Strad’s editor Emma Baker introduces the German theme April issue, in which cover star Frank Peter Zimmermann explores his new recording of Elgar’s Violin Concerto
It is hard to believe that only two German violinists have ever recorded Elgar’s Violin Concerto and both did so within a year of each other. One of them is our April cover star, the eminent Frank Peter Zimmermann, whose recording of this expansive and emotional work is released next month.
For our cover story, Zimmermann talks about his lifelong love of the concerto and the experience of recording it with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Edward Gardner in April last year. His interviewer, Thomas Eisner, is one of the LPO’s first violinists and was not only present at the sessions but also playing in the orchestra. Could this be the first time in The Strad’s history that both interviewee and interviewer appear on the same recording?
Zimmermann relates how one of his greatest influences when approaching Elgar’s concerto is the benchmark recording made by Yehudi Menuhin when he was just 16 years old, with the composer conducting. On 22 April the string world remembers this legendary violinist on the 110th anniversary of his birth, and to mark the occasion, Tully Potter presents an overview of Menuhin’s chamber music partnerships across his life.
Our German theme this issue continues with a spotlight on an almost unknown viola concerto by the 18th‑century composer Markus Heinrich Graul. Writer and violinist Gerald Elias and violist Devan Marie Freebairn recount how they unearthed, rehearsed, performed and recorded the work for the first time.
The focus also falls on German makers. Gennady Filimonov celebrates the life and work of the influential bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer, whose 90th birthday falls next month, while Clifford Hall tells the story of Louis Noebe, a 19th‑century cellist turned luthier, whose innovative work was praised by, among others, Wilhelmj, Sarasate and Auer.
Emma Baker editor
Email me at thestrad@thestrad.com
Issue summary
Frank Peter Zimmermann talks about his latest Elgar album in a German-themed issue, featuring articles on violin maker Louis Noebe and bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer. Plus interviews with cellist Johannes Moser and violinist Tanja Becker-Bender, and a Masterclass on Bruch’s Violin Concerto
Contents
FRANK PETER ZIMMERMANN The German violinist has recorded Elgar’s Violin Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He talks with LPO violinist Thomas Eisner
LOUIS NOEBE The German luthier and cellist was hugely successful in his day, with Auer, Popper, Sarasate and Hubay among those endorsing his work. Clifford Hall tells his story
AN 18TH-CENTURY VIOLA CONCERTO REDISCOVERED Gerald Elias explains how he and violist Devan Marie Freebairn found and performed an almost unknown work by composer Markus Heinrich Graul
RUDOLF NEUDÖRFER The Bubenreuth-based bow maker turns 90 in May. Gennady Filimonov examines his life and career, and explores the history of the Neudörfer dynasty
SESSION REPORT Midori talks to Thomas May about her latest album featuring Robert Schumann’s Violin Concerto and chamber works, plus Three Romances by Clara Schumann
YEHUDI MENUHIN 110 Born on 22 April 1916, the violin legend had a seismic influence on playing in the 20th century. Tully Potter looks at his life, with a focus on his chamber music
IN FOCUS A 1695 viola by Christian Reichelt
TRADE SECRETS Hannah Lobe on refinements of the scroll in the final stages of carving
MY SPACE Married luthiers Andreas Hampel and Susanne Riebesehl of Hamburg
MAKING MATTERS Innovative strategies for building a lightweight viola
MASTERCLASS Bella Hristova on the second movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto
TECHNIQUE Cellist David Chew’s tips for understanding Latin American music
LIFE LESSONS The memories and opinions of German violinist Tanja Becker-Bender
OPINION Naomi Yandell on the benefits for students of working with a rehearsal pianist
POSTCARD FROM BOCA RATON The 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
FROM THE ARCHIVE From April 1896
SENTIMENTAL WORK Johannes Moser on his love for the Lutosławski Cello Concerto
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