Postcard from London: a new generation

You should be relaxed and inspired when performing, but there should also be a master inside you who is following and directing everything.’ This pearl of wisdom, offered by Lugano Conservatoire professor Pavel Berman at a panel discussion on ‘Succeeding in competitions’, was just one of the myriad pieces of advice and inspiration on offer at Stradfest, The Strad’s inaugural live event for young musicians, held at London’s Royal Institution of Great Britain on 24 March in association with J & A Beare.

The one-day event was designed to help string players build a fulfilling career – as a performer or in any number of related areas – and to that end included a plethora of talks, panel discussions and interactive sessions. Young musicians at all stages of study provided an animated and interested audience, throwing themselves into collaborative activities with gusto, and making the most of the top line-up of speakers by asking probing and perceptive questions.