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- We talk to US violinist Chad Hoopes, test the tone quality of Stradivaris, learn Gary Karr’s Life Lessons and report on the early bow makers of the Bay Area in an America-themed issue.
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Historical
Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Pietro Guarneri of Venice violin 1725
Known as the ‘Reine Elisabeth’, this is the most expensive instrument bought by the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation
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In Focus: Team Player
Sam Zygmuntowicz examines the large proportions of this 1796 Mantegazza viola, which give it a powerful sound that makes it ideal for string quartets. From December 2003
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In Focus: From Strad to Slava
The ’Duport’ cello is a fine example of Stradivari’s ‘Form B Piccola’. Samuel Zygmuntowicz examines Rostropovich’s own instrument, in this article from October 1997
Current online issue
November
‘I want to explore great repertoire and believe I have something to add; I have a unique voice and feel it should be heard’
US violinist Chad Hoopes on making unconventional career choices, and sharing his knowledge with the next generation of players.
‘I can certainly understand why an artist who has met obstruction at every level would feel angry’
Why are black musicians still under-represented in the US classical music world? We talk to string players across the country about how things could change.
'Should we copy what we see now, incorporate personal preferences, or adapt to the wood differences?'
Will a Stradivari copy sound like a Strad?
''The objective was Bach, not Biondi'' Violinst Fabio Biondi on his new recording of the Bach Sonatas and Partitas.
With a large and growing music community, the San Francisco Bay Area became a hotbed of violin and bow making talent in the early 20th century.
'The publication of "Traditional" Scottish tunes was a profitable endeavour in the early 18th century' The trend of combining Scots folk melodies and Italian art music grew fashionable in 18th-century drawing rooms.
FocusThe Strad Calendar 2022: Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ cello 1715 ‘ex Navarra’
The Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ must be the most impressive Cremonese cello in terms of maker’s marks
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Bay Area bow makers: Bows on the bay
With a large and growing music community, the San Francisco Bay Area became a hotbed of violin and bow making talent in the early 20th century. Raphael Gold tells the stories of the most prominent bow makers of the day
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In Focus: A 1926 violin by John Friedrich
Bruce Babbitt details an instrument by the German-American maker
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From the Archive: November 1911
Regular columnist Towry Piper bewails the notorious practice among dealers of switching labels in instruments to make them more attractive to buyers
- Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume viola 1867
This viola is regarded as an exceptionally pure and unique specimen among Vuillaume’s work
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The Strad Calendar 2022: Santo Serafin violin 1750
Santo Serafin’s refined style can be particularly seen on the scroll
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Anne-Sophie Mutter on fine and contemporary instruments
The Strad’s April 2020 issue cover star discusses performing on her own Strads and on newer violins
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The Strad Calendar 2022: Hendrik Jacobs cello 1696
One of the very few cellos made by Hendrik Jacobs himself, and the only Dutch instrument in the Calendar
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The Strad Calendar 2022: Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin c.1736
With a handsome, deeply reflective and broadly flamed maple back, this is the crown jewel in the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation’s collection
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In Focus: An 1847 violin by Agustí Altimira
Jordi Pinto details an instrument by the Catalan violin maker
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Between the Baroque and modern age: Vuillaume’s ‘Messiah’ Strad
Stefan-Peter Greiner examines Vuillaume’s unorthodox method of fastening and extending the neck in his copy of the ‘Messiah’ Strad. From November 1996
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Gut strings: A strong stomach for strings
As gut becomes increasingly popular among players, Jenny Nex uncovers documents revealing the pioneers of the string making trade of 18th-century London, and the secrets behind the messy job of processing intestines. From February 2011
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Auction Report: September 2021
The June auctions in the UK capital brought together a number of interesting bows and instruments, with signs that the market is on the up and up, writes Kevin MacDonald
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In Focus: A 1911 violin by Anatoly Leman
Yuri Pochekin details an instrument by one of the most important figures in Russian violin making history
- Review
Book review: Feine und bedeutende Streichinstrumente
Benjamin Hebbert reviews an anthology of instruments by German violin dealer Rudolf Eckstein, witht text in German and English
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Markneukirchen: The rise and fall of Germany’s first violin factory
A small German town was the setting for an early experiment in violin mass-production. But outside economic forces threatened it from the very start. Arian Sheets traces its history, in this article from the April 2011 issue of The Strad
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Making its mark: How violin making began in Markneukirchen, Germany
From a formative guild of emigrés to world-conquering mass production, few places have as colourful a lutherie story to tell as Markneukirchen. Enrico Weller and William Wisehart assess the history and distinctive character of violin making in this corner of southern Saxony
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In Focus: A c.1680 double bass by Girolamo Amati II
René Zaal details an instrument by the son of the more well-known Nicolò Amati, and the grandson of his namesake Girolamo Amati I
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Book review: Monograph of the Antonio Stradivari Cello c.1690 ‘Barjansky’
Florian Leonhard reviews an extensive study of the famous cello, including dendrochronology, CT scans and posters
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Herrmann bow making dynasty: An enduring legacy
Like their close contemporaries the Knopfs, the Herrmann family of bow makers left behind a large number of bows, many of which show exquisite craftsmanship. In the second of two articles, Gennady Filimonov examines their history, their connections with the Knopfs, and several examples of their work
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Neck setting: Adjustment to change
The method of connecting an instrument’s neck to its body has undergone seismic changes since the Baroque era. Joseph Curtin analyses the ancient and modern procedures, and examines the benefits offered by fixing an adjustable neck
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A subscription to The Strad brings you:
- Monthly issue in print and as a digital edition
- Three special supplements and The Strad Directory
- Archive of digital issues from January 2010
- Unlimited access to all premium online content
- Two detailed instrument posters a year
- Interviews with star string players
- Masterclasses with commentary
- Sheet music annotated by international concert artist
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