October

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein talks about her new project Fragments and we examine the Tieffenbrucker family of luthiers. There’s a look at the Carnatic violin tradition of South India and an exploration of Biber’s Mystery Sonatas. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass and a Technique article on pizzicato.

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October 2025 Cover

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From this month's magazine

Alisa Weilerstein: fragments of the future

The US cellist Alisa Weilerstein talks to Peter Quantrill about reinventing the solo recital for a multimedia age, and working with living composers to renew the concerto repertoire

Postcard from Japan: Sendai International Music Competition

Rita Fernandes encountered exceptional performances but unexpected results at the ninth Sendai International Music Competition

The Carnatic violin: a voice of fluid grace

Brought to India in the late 18th century, the violin now plays a central role in South Indian classical music. Nikhil Bhambri presents an introduction to its use in Carnatic concerts, and hears from some of its leading exponents

October 2025: Editor’s welcome and contents

The Strad’s editor Emma Baker introduces the October 2025 issue, starring cellist Alisa Weilerstein

Cover story

AW_F4_by Cole Carrico (1)

Alisa Weilerstein: fragments of the future

The US cellist Alisa Weilerstein talks to Peter Quantrill about reinventing the solo recital for a multimedia age, and working with living composers to renew the concerto repertoire

Playing

Lalgudi Siblings

The Carnatic violin: a voice of fluid grace

Brought to India in the late 18th century, the violin now plays a central role in South Indian classical music. Nikhil Bhambri presents an introduction to its use in Carnatic concerts, and hears from some of its leading exponents

Lutherie

Fig.40a Vendelino Tieffenbrucker lirone SAM 90 Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien345

Tieffenbrucker family: secret history

Stefano Pio delves into 16th-century records to discover how the Tieffenbrucker family of makers contributed to the international success of Italian lutherie – including one of the best-known names of the era

Technique

pizzicato pic

Technique: Exploring pizzicato techniques

Violinist Tomás Cotik on the broad range of pizzicato techniques available to string players

Masterclass

Grace Park cr Marco Borggreve

Masterclass: Dvořák Romance in F minor op.11

Violinist Grace Park examines ways of creating nuance and variety in this seemingly simple piece, which is imbued with folk elements characteristic of Dvořák’s heritage