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Violinist Daniel Lozakovich: lost to the world, led by the heart
Recipients of the 2026 Sphinx Medal of Excellence announced
Violinist Timothy Chooi named Wiener Concert-Verein artistic partner
‘Chamber music at its finest is an act of generosity’: Daniel Hope on shaping Wolf Trap
Netherlands Philharmonic appoints new principal bassist
Recipients of the 2026 Sphinx Medal of Excellence announced
Violinist Nathan Amaral is among the three recipients for this year, who each receive a $50,000 career grant
Cello contestants announced for 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition
66 cellists will compete in the third cello edition of the competition, taking place in Brussels from 4 May 2026
Why practice doesn’t prepare musicians for performance
Violinist and educator Maggie Watson explores why performance feels so different from the practice room, revealing how perception, the nervous system and psychological skills shape what really happens under pressure, and how musicians can train for the stage as deliberately as they train their technique
Playing Hub
‘The spirit of debate is extremely important in a quartet’ - Edward Dusinberre’s life lessons
The British violinist on developing your own voice and putting things in perspective
‘Chamber music at its finest is an act of generosity’: Daniel Hope on shaping Wolf Trap
This season brings a new vantage point for Daniel Hope: guiding Wolf Trap’s Chamber Music at The Barns as artistic advisor before taking the stage himself, and navigating the growing intersection of performance and artistic direction
Form Revealed: Bruch’s Violin Concerto and the Discipline of Fire
Jiro Takahashi reflects on Bruch’s Violin Concerto no.1, following a performance by 14-year-old violinist Himari with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jaap van Zweden on 15 February
‘Let’s Clarice it up!’: The Takács on Assad’s new commission
Violinist Harumi Rhodes on the Takács Quartet’s touring commission, NEXUS, which receives its New York premiere at Carnegie Hall on 4 March.
Oscar Strasnoy: reinventing the double concerto
Prompted by Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexandre Tharaud and guided by a revelation from Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, the composer charts the evolution of a five‑movement work where orchestra and soloists blur, collide and ultimately redefine each other
Harness your superpower: self-efficacy for adult learners
Cellist and teacher Billy Tobenkin reveals how adult learners of stringed instruments can improve their sense of self‑efficacy, thus helping themselves to achieve their goals
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: the Neave Trio on recording Chaminade, Pejačević, and Clara Schumann
The musicians of the US-based Neave Trio speak to Hattie Butterworth about their latest recording, which champions the varied music of three female composers
Premium ❘ Feature
In a spirit of collaboration: Brandenburg experiments
Makers at the annual Brandenburg violin making workshop joined forces on a two-year project to build and test two identical violins, one of which was made with treated wood. The results were intriguing. Adam Winskill reports on the methodology and findings
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: the Neave Trio on recording Chaminade, Pejačević, and Clara Schumann
The musicians of the US-based Neave Trio speak to Hattie Butterworth about their latest recording, which champions the varied music of three female composers
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Geneva: Concours de Genève viola competition
At the 2025 Concours de Genève, which marked the viola’s return to the competition after two decades, Rita Fernandes discovered the unique artistic personalities of the new generation
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Orin O’Brien on Stravinsky’s ballet Orpheus
Playing the score for Stravinsky’s ballet Orpheus was a formative experience for the American double bassist in the years before she joined the New York Philharmonic
Competitions
Winners named for 2025 German Musical Instrument Fund competition
More than 30 young musicians received the loan of a valuable instrument from the foundation
Cello contestants announced for 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition
66 cellists will compete in the third cello edition of the competition, taking place in Brussels from 4 May 2026
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
A total of 20 violinists will proceed to the junior and senior finals
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Shelley Washington’s new cello concerto
A Metal-influenced cello concerto channels a range of emotions
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: March 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
The Strad Podcast: How to tailor the Suzuki Method to different students with violinist Meghan Faw
The violinist shares her personal experiences with the method as both a student and a teacher
The Strad Podcast: How to hold a masterclass with violinist Paul Huang
The violinist speaks about his teaching approaches in a unique learning experience, in the third part of our four-part education-themed podcast series
The Strad Podcast: How to teach collaborative skills with violinist Annie Fullard of the Cavani Quartet
‘We should live in a chamber music world’ - the violinist speaks about the importance of collaboration inside and outside of the practice room, in the second episode of our four-part education-themed podcast series
The Strad Podcast: How to practise effectively with violinist Ray Chen
The first in our new four-part education themed podcast series features our September 2024 cover star
The Strad Podcast: How to tailor the Suzuki Method to different students with violinist Meghan Faw
The violinist shares her personal experiences with the method as both a student and a teacher
The Strad Podcast: How to hold a masterclass with violinist Paul Huang
The violinist speaks about his teaching approaches in a unique learning experience, in the third part of our four-part education-themed podcast series
The Strad Podcast: How to teach collaborative skills with violinist Annie Fullard of the Cavani Quartet
‘We should live in a chamber music world’ - the violinist speaks about the importance of collaboration inside and outside of the practice room, in the second episode of our four-part education-themed podcast series
Competitions
Winners named for 2025 German Musical Instrument Fund competition
More than 30 young musicians received the loan of a valuable instrument from the foundation
Cello contestants announced for 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition
66 cellists will compete in the third cello edition of the competition, taking place in Brussels from 4 May 2026
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
A total of 20 violinists will proceed to the junior and senior finals
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
Paul Neubauer takes centre stage in Brown’s work The Viola from his Pas de Trois
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
The violin technique that shouldn’t exist: MinutePhysics explains Roman Kim’s harmonics technique
Jupiter Quartet performs Ginastera’s String Quartet no.1
Amy Beach’s Romance op.23 for double bass and piano
Roman Kim: virtuosity, artistic freedom and how to find your voice
Bach in a new space: Francesca Dego performs the Chaconne
Video: Richard Tognetti performs at the top of Sydney Opera House
Hina & Fiona perform Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia for two violins
‘You feel the presence and breath of a fifth person’ - The Elmire Quartet on its debut ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets album
A cello, a zipline and a drone: how Gautier Capuçon’s Alpine music video was filmed
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In a spirit of collaboration: Brandenburg experiments
Makers at the annual Brandenburg violin making workshop joined forces on a two-year project to build and test two identical violins, one of which was made with treated wood. The results were intriguing. Adam Winskill reports on the methodology and findings
Trade Secrets: Even split, even grain
A simple method for joining plates with even grain orientation
Australian Chamber Orchestra acquires 1610 Maggini viola
The instrument will be played by ACO principal viola Stefanie Farrands
In Focus: A c.1880–90 viola by Enrico Marchetti
Sean Bishop examines the late-nineteenth-century instrument
‘Struck by the instrument’s unique voice’: playing the Pressenda double bass
Davide Botto, who acquired the Pressenda bass in 2017, describes the tone quality of the instrument
What violin does Nemanja Radulović play?
Luthier Francesco Coquoz shares thoughts on Radulović’s violin
In a spirit of collaboration: Brandenburg experiments
Makers at the annual Brandenburg violin making workshop joined forces on a two-year project to build and test two identical violins, one of which was made with treated wood. The results were intriguing. Adam Winskill reports on the methodology and findings
Trade Secrets: Even split, even grain
A simple method for joining plates with even grain orientation
Australian Chamber Orchestra acquires 1610 Maggini viola
The instrument will be played by ACO principal viola Stefanie Farrands
In Focus: A c.1880–90 viola by Enrico Marchetti
Sean Bishop examines the late-nineteenth-century instrument
‘Struck by the instrument’s unique voice’: playing the Pressenda double bass
Davide Botto, who acquired the Pressenda bass in 2017, describes the tone quality of the instrument
What violin does Nemanja Radulović play?
Luthier Francesco Coquoz shares thoughts on Radulović’s violin
Concert review: Nicolas Altstaedt (cello) Thomas Dunford (lute)
Bruce Hodges attends Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 20 November 2025 for the recital of Bach, Marais and Forqueray and Duparc
Concert review: María Dueñas (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges reports on the performance of Lalo, Terence Blanchard and Sibelius at Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia, PA, US, on 29 November 2025
Concert review: Juilliard Quartet, Catherine Cho (viola) Marcy Rosen (cello) Marc-André Hamelin (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth reports on the performance at New York’s Alice Tully Hall on 4 December 2025, while Bruce Hodges catches the recital at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 14 December
Quartet ES: Ruehr: The Northern Quartets
Warm performances of music that sometimes resorts to cliché
Casals Quartet: Shostakovich Complete String Quartets vol 3
A lean and sinewy finish to a compelling quartet cycle
Triin Ruubel, Xandi van Dijk, Theodor Sink: Tubin
A rewarding dive into the music of an Estonian master
Book review: Music’s Odyssey: An Invitation to Western Classical Music
Robin Stowell reads composer Robin Holloway’s colossal survey of the whole Western classical music tradition, replete with the author’s own reflections and opinions
Book review: How to Perform with 100% Accuracy and Spend Less Time Practicing
Celia Cobb reads Annelle K. Gregory’s book of advice to string players on how they can use their practice time most effectively and combat stage fright, among other things
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Debate
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Opinion: SongHa Choi on ‘aura’ in live performance
In an age of instant digital access to recorded music, violinist SongHa Choi still believes that nothing can compare to the experience of a live performance
Debate
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Opinion: SongHa Choi on ‘aura’ in live performance
In an age of instant digital access to recorded music, violinist SongHa Choi still believes that nothing can compare to the experience of a live performance
Accessories
Products March 2026: Pirastro KorfkerSpring chin rest
A new chin rest designed for flexibility and adjustability
Products March 2026: Swiss Wood Solutions Sonowood pegs
Four sustainable materials are available
Products March 2026: Thomastik-Infeld Rondo Gold viola strings
The range has now extended to include the viola
Concert review: Nicolas Altstaedt (cello) Thomas Dunford (lute)
Bruce Hodges attends Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 20 November 2025 for the recital of Bach, Marais and Forqueray and Duparc
Concert review: María Dueñas (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges reports on the performance of Lalo, Terence Blanchard and Sibelius at Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia, PA, US, on 29 November 2025
Concert review: Juilliard Quartet, Catherine Cho (viola) Marcy Rosen (cello) Marc-André Hamelin (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth reports on the performance at New York’s Alice Tully Hall on 4 December 2025, while Bruce Hodges catches the recital at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 14 December
Book review: Music’s Odyssey: An Invitation to Western Classical Music
Robin Stowell reads composer Robin Holloway’s colossal survey of the whole Western classical music tradition, replete with the author’s own reflections and opinions
Book review: How to Perform with 100% Accuracy and Spend Less Time Practicing
Celia Cobb reads Annelle K. Gregory’s book of advice to string players on how they can use their practice time most effectively and combat stage fright, among other things
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Quartet ES: Ruehr: The Northern Quartets
Warm performances of music that sometimes resorts to cliché
Casals Quartet: Shostakovich Complete String Quartets vol 3
A lean and sinewy finish to a compelling quartet cycle
Triin Ruubel, Xandi van Dijk, Theodor Sink: Tubin
A rewarding dive into the music of an Estonian master
Artists
Nemanja Radulović: music in the moment
Charismatic Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulović chats to Charlotte Gardner about the importance of artistic freedom and musical friendships, and recording his latest album of music by Prokofiev
Beauty unbound by history: cellist Tommy Mesa explores the many voices of his 1767 Gagliano
Cellist Tommy Mesa’s historic Gagliano cello frames an eclectic programme spanning repertoire familiar and new.
Stella Chen: a bright future
The American violinist chats with Rebecca Franks about her philosophy of playing and teaching, studying at Harvard, her experience of winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition and her new album, which marks a fresh chapter in her career
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