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![Ayanna Witter-Johnson [Jordan Woods] 7](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/274x183/4/9/4/44494_ayannawitterjohnsonjordanwoods7_224583.jpg)
Postcard from Port Angeles: Music on the Strait
US correspondent Thomas May returned to Music on the Strait, a chamber music festival on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, where voice and strings shared the stage before a second day devoted to instrumental chamber music
‘The most perfect day’: Ray Chen announces marriage
The violinist posted a video from the 30 August ceremony on his social media
The Ukrainian violin sonatas nobody plays – and how to play them
Violinist Oleksii Hamov on Naum Lapynsky’s 1935 Sonata and Mykola Silvansky’s Sonata in A minor (1978): two little-known works whose performance challenges had not previously received detailed analysis in Ukrainian musicology – and what they demand of a duo
Playing Hub
How to find your true path in music: seven things I wish I knew as a student
Musicians are trained at conservatories to play their instruments well, but what happens after their studies? Violinist Helena Maria Falk examines how musicians can find their true calling – and how often this involves life away from the practice room
![Ayanna Witter-Johnson [Jordan Woods] 7](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/4/9/4/44494_ayannawitterjohnsonjordanwoods7_224583.jpg)
‘The cello is another storyteller’: Ayanna Witter-Johnson on her new album
The cellist and composer shares how the relationship with her cello and her heritage informs her album New Roots, as well as what she hope to get out of a new residency at LSO St Luke’s
Writing for strings gives the possibility of hearing many voices: Olivia Belli
Pianist and composer Olivia Belli shares how writing for strings provides countless opportunities for expression her compositions, including her work DAIMON, inspired by The Odyssey
New video: Ilya Kaler and Rasa Vitkauskaite perform Florence Price’s ‘Adoration’
The work features on The Bridgetower Project, which aims to highlight the legacy of Afro-European violin virtuoso George Bridgetower.
Signum Quartet performs Vítězslava Kaprálová
The ensemble performs Kaprálová’s song ’With a White Kerchief He Waves’, arranged by Xandi van Dijk
‘Your first instrument is your body’ - Matthew Jones’s life lessons
The Welsh violist and violinist and head of chamber music at Guildhall School of Music & Drama on his teaching approach and unconventional journey
Premium ❘ Feature
‘Love what you do’: Antje Weithaas
Violinist Antje Weithaas talks to Pauline Harding about her varied career in teaching, performance and, most recently, conducting, which is carrying her in new and exciting directions as she approaches her 60th birthday
Premium ❘ Feature
The Strad Calendar 2027: Norway’s pride and joy
The Strad Calendar 2027 features eleven Stradivari instruments, all taken from the collection of the Anders Sveaas Charitable Foundation. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
Premium ❘ Feature
‘Love what you do’: Antje Weithaas
Violinist Antje Weithaas talks to Pauline Harding about her varied career in teaching, performance and, most recently, conducting, which is carrying her in new and exciting directions as she approaches her 60th birthday
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: How community teaching can inspire all teachers
Nabile Galván outlines how community-based teaching can inform all educators, no matter where they teach
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Amihai Grosz on Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata
Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata was one of the first pieces the Israeli violist learnt after switching to the viola – and the work has been close to his heart ever since
Competitions
Violin semi-finalists announced at 2026 George Enescu International Competition
Six violinists have progressed to the semi-finals, which will take place on 11 September
Cello winners announced for the 2026 George Enescu International Competition
Swiss cellist Samuel Niederhauser took the first prize of €15,000, plus two special awards and future concert engagements
George Enescu Competition announces violin candidates for second round
Twelve violinists proceed to the next round, competing for the first prize of €15,000
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: William Marsey’s new string quartet
Anglican chant inspires a new string quartet
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: October 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Haydn Piano Trio in C major, Hob.XV:27, first movement
Violinist Elene Meipariani of Trio E.T.A. highlights the importance of finding a unified sound that brings life to this sprightly movement
Masterclass: Grieg Violin Sonata no.3 in C minor, op.45, first movement
Esther Yoo guides violinists through a movement of turbulence and tenderness in a work that requires complete technical command
Masterclass: Haydn Piano Trio in C major, Hob.XV:27, first movement
Violinist Elene Meipariani of Trio E.T.A. highlights the importance of finding a unified sound that brings life to this sprightly movement
Masterclass: Grieg Violin Sonata no.3 in C minor, op.45, first movement
Esther Yoo guides violinists through a movement of turbulence and tenderness in a work that requires complete technical command
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Sonata no.32 in B flat major, first movement
In a movement that evokes all the delightful quirks of a Mozart opera, it’s important to maintain a dialogue between violin and piano, says violinist Arnaud Sussmann
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
Violin semi-finalists announced at 2026 George Enescu International Competition
Six violinists have progressed to the semi-finals, which will take place on 11 September
Cello winners announced for the 2026 George Enescu International Competition
Swiss cellist Samuel Niederhauser took the first prize of €15,000, plus two special awards and future concert engagements
George Enescu Competition announces violin candidates for second round
Twelve violinists proceed to the next round, competing for the first prize of €15,000
Watch: Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach during 9/11 ceremony in New York
The cellist performed during the reading of the names of those who died at Ground Zero on 11 September 2001
Watch: Yo-Yo Ma performs Bach during 9/11 ceremony in New York
12 Ensemble performs Arvo Pärt’s ‘Fratres’
Trailer drops for ‘A Song for the Snow Lion’ film, featuring Yo-Yo Ma
New video: Ilya Kaler and Rasa Vitkauskaite perform Florence Price’s ‘Adoration’
Signum Quartet performs Vítězslava Kaprálová
Spring Cadenzas: violinist Midori performs a Covid-commissioned concerto by Derek Bermel
Tuned to Perfection: the life and legacy of violinist Alberto Lysy
Video premiere: Bella Hristova performs David Serkin Ludwig’s Violin Concerto no.2 ‘Paganiniana’
‘Dance, when you’re perfectly free’: NYO performs Anna Clyne’s DANCE
‘Literally the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn to do’: Pedro Pascal to play cellist in upcoming film
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- Next
The Strad Calendar 2027: Norway’s pride and joy
The Strad Calendar 2027 features eleven Stradivari instruments, all taken from the collection of the Anders Sveaas Charitable Foundation. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
An overlooked wonder: Pietro Barbieri
Despite having made only a handful of instruments in his career, Pietro Barbieri proved to be one of Mantua’s most accomplished luthiers. Philip Kass and Andrea Zanrè look into his life and examine an instrument from 1826
My Space: Daniel King and Joe Roach’s Cardiff workshop
The two luthiers present their workshop in the Welsh capital
In the midst of transition: the French transitional period – part two
In the second of two articles on the French transitional period, Florent Boyer examines the development of the violin in Paris between 1790 and 1830 – and how Nicolas Lupot’s influence proved to be seismic
Making Matters: Achieving a glow from within
The varnish of many Cremonese makers seems to glow from within – but how did they achieve this without knowledge of optics? Tamás Guminár investigates – and argues that one secret ingredient may be kaolin
Trade Secrets: Carving a Gofriller-style scroll
Alessandro Peiretti shares a method on making a personal interpretation of the Venetian scroll model
The Strad Calendar 2027: Norway’s pride and joy
The Strad Calendar 2027 features eleven Stradivari instruments, all taken from the collection of the Anders Sveaas Charitable Foundation. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
An overlooked wonder: Pietro Barbieri
Despite having made only a handful of instruments in his career, Pietro Barbieri proved to be one of Mantua’s most accomplished luthiers. Philip Kass and Andrea Zanrè look into his life and examine an instrument from 1826
My Space: Daniel King and Joe Roach’s Cardiff workshop
The two luthiers present their workshop in the Welsh capital
In the midst of transition: the French transitional period – part two
In the second of two articles on the French transitional period, Florent Boyer examines the development of the violin in Paris between 1790 and 1830 – and how Nicolas Lupot’s influence proved to be seismic
Making Matters: Achieving a glow from within
The varnish of many Cremonese makers seems to glow from within – but how did they achieve this without knowledge of optics? Tamás Guminár investigates – and argues that one secret ingredient may be kaolin
Trade Secrets: Carving a Gofriller-style scroll
Alessandro Peiretti shares a method on making a personal interpretation of the Venetian scroll model
Concert review: Timothy Ridout (viola) Britten Sinfonia/Thomas Larcher
Edward Bhesania attends London’s Wigmore Hall on 7 July 2026 for the recital of Britten, Pärt, John Adams, Hindemith and Bach
Concert review: Pinchas Zukerman (violin, viola) Zurich Chamber Orchestra/Daniel Hope (violin)
Carlos María Solare visits the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany, for the concert of Haydn and Mozart on 12 July 2026
Vadim Gluzman, Zachary Carrettin: Bach, Silvestrov
Bach concertos are set in a new context to fine effect
Patrick Yim: Bamboo Grove
East meets West to powerfully revelatory effect
Zaïde Quartet: Dessner, Reich
Reich’s iconic work is the highlight from this French quartet
Book review: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reviews the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, from the British cellist’s early years growing up in South Kensington to his time as principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – and beyond
Book review: Monograph of the Antonio Stradivari Violin c.1667 ‘Back’, ‘Josefowitz’
Philip Brown reads the exhaustive study, published by Jost Thöne Verlag, bringing together the scholarship of violin experts with high-resolution photos, CT scans and analysis under different kinds of light
Book review: Getting in Gear: Fundamental warm-ups for string orchestra
Celia Cobb reviews a new series of warm-up patterns designed to help students at intermediate string-orchestra level to prepare themselves for rehearsal
Debate
Opinion: How community teaching can inspire all teachers
Nabile Galván outlines how community-based teaching can inform all educators, no matter where they teach
Opinion: Period instruments aren’t just specialist tools
Benjamin Shute questions our assumptions about contemporary instrument set‑up and the idea that period instruments are merely specialist equipment
Debate
Opinion: How community teaching can inspire all teachers
Nabile Galván outlines how community-based teaching can inform all educators, no matter where they teach
Concert review: Timothy Ridout (viola) Britten Sinfonia/Thomas Larcher
Edward Bhesania attends London’s Wigmore Hall on 7 July 2026 for the recital of Britten, Pärt, John Adams, Hindemith and Bach
Concert review: Pinchas Zukerman (violin, viola) Zurich Chamber Orchestra/Daniel Hope (violin)
Carlos María Solare visits the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany, for the concert of Haydn and Mozart on 12 July 2026
Book review: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reviews the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, from the British cellist’s early years growing up in South Kensington to his time as principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – and beyond
Book review: Monograph of the Antonio Stradivari Violin c.1667 ‘Back’, ‘Josefowitz’
Philip Brown reads the exhaustive study, published by Jost Thöne Verlag, bringing together the scholarship of violin experts with high-resolution photos, CT scans and analysis under different kinds of light
Book review: Getting in Gear: Fundamental warm-ups for string orchestra
Celia Cobb reviews a new series of warm-up patterns designed to help students at intermediate string-orchestra level to prepare themselves for rehearsal
Vadim Gluzman, Zachary Carrettin: Bach, Silvestrov
Bach concertos are set in a new context to fine effect
Patrick Yim: Bamboo Grove
East meets West to powerfully revelatory effect
Zaïde Quartet: Dessner, Reich
Reich’s iconic work is the highlight from this French quartet
Artists
‘Love what you do’: Antje Weithaas
Violinist Antje Weithaas talks to Pauline Harding about her varied career in teaching, performance and, most recently, conducting, which is carrying her in new and exciting directions as she approaches her 60th birthday
Juilliard Quartet at 80: lines of inquiry
As the Juilliard Quartet celebrates its 80th anniversary, its members speak to Thomas May about teaching, rehearsal‑room disagreement, new commissions and the essential questions that keep the ensemble’s tradition alive
Brett Dean: the music from within
Australian composer and violist Brett Dean has long drawn on his experience from playing inside the orchestra to shape his own music. He tells Jessica Duchen about how his writing and playing continue to inform each other
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