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Cello semi-finalists announced for George Enescu International Competition
New video: Ilya Kaler and Rasa Vitkauskaite perform Florence Price’s ‘Adoration’
Signum Quartet performs Vítězslava Kaprálová
Trio Archai wins the 2026 Filippo Nicosia Chamber Music Award
New viola appointment at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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
Henry Saint-George on performing in New Zealand - From the archive: September 1916
In his column ‘Fiddling About: A record of many wanderings’, violinist and author Henry Saint-George recalls his experiences of playing in New Zealand
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
Pulling at the heartstrings: why record music that has been recorded many times before?
There is no shortage of recordings featuring staple violin repertoire, so why record them again? Violinist Sonia Lee makes the case for why performers and listeners keep coming back to old favourites and how there is always more to say in these pieces, as she releases her album Heartstrings Highlights
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
‘A commentary on my musical identity and journey’: catching up with Jacques Forestier
The Canadian violinist speaks to The Strad about his career since his joint victory at the 2024 Joseph Joachim Violin Competition, ahead of his debut album release of works close to his heart
The practice principle: how I practise
Musicians spend thousands of hours practising but the questions about how to do it most efficiently never go away. Four leading string players share their insights with David Kettle and reveal their individual, and sometimes surprising, approaches to practice
Premium ❘ Feature
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
Premium ❘ Feature
Henry Saint-George on performing in New Zealand - From the archive: September 1916
In his column ‘Fiddling About: A record of many wanderings’, violinist and author Henry Saint-George recalls his experiences of playing in New Zealand
Premium ❘ Feature
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
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
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Brussels: Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition
A week of high-stakes performances and exacting repertoire marked this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition cello final, as Davina Shum discovered
Competitions
Cello semi-finalists announced for George Enescu International Competition
Six cellists have progressed to the semi-final rounds taking place on 5 September
Trio Archai wins the 2026 Filippo Nicosia Chamber Music Award
The piano trio receives prizes including a €5,000 cash award and concert engagements
George Enescu International Competition announces second round cello candidates
Twelve cellists will compete for a place in the semi-final round
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: September 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the month: Eric Nathan’s new violin concerto
A violin concerto that reaches new heights
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
Cello semi-finalists announced for George Enescu International Competition
Six cellists have progressed to the semi-final rounds taking place on 5 September
Trio Archai wins the 2026 Filippo Nicosia Chamber Music Award
The piano trio receives prizes including a €5,000 cash award and concert engagements
George Enescu International Competition announces second round cello candidates
Twelve cellists will compete for a place in the semi-final round
Trailer drops for ‘A Song for the Snow Lion’ film, featuring Yo-Yo Ma
Blending folklore, music and environmental advocacy, the film examines how cultural narratives can shape humanity’s relationship with the natural world and inspire action in the face of climate change
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
Combining virtuosity with opera: violinist Hannah Cho honours Vienna with Carmen Fantasie Brillante
Yo‑Yo Ma joins Kakuma refugee collective Exile Key for ‘Yelele Mama’
- Previous
- Next
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
In Focus: A c.1850 violin by Lorenzo Arcangioli
Peter Körner examines the mid-19th century instrument
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
In Focus: A c.1850 violin by Lorenzo Arcangioli
Peter Körner examines the mid-19th century instrument
Concert review: Carter Brey (cello) New York Philharmonic/Elim Chan
Leah Hollingsworth visits New York’s David Geffen Hall on 27 May 2026 for the performance of Noriko Koide, Saint-Saëns and Prokofiev
Concert review: Pieter Wispelwey (cello) Orchestra Of St Luke’s/Nicholas Ellis
Leah Hollingsworth braves the warm weather of 10 June 2026 to hear the performance of Bach and Haydn at Zankel Hall, in New York’s Carnegie Hall
Concert review: Laura van der Heijden (cello) London Symphony Orchestra/Oliver Zeffman
Hattie Butterworth hears the performance of Barber, Ravel and Henriëtte Bosmans at London’s Barbican Hall on 14 June 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: Carter Brey (cello) New York Philharmonic/Elim Chan
Leah Hollingsworth visits New York’s David Geffen Hall on 27 May 2026 for the performance of Noriko Koide, Saint-Saëns and Prokofiev
Concert review: Pieter Wispelwey (cello) Orchestra Of St Luke’s/Nicholas Ellis
Leah Hollingsworth braves the warm weather of 10 June 2026 to hear the performance of Bach and Haydn at Zankel Hall, in New York’s Carnegie Hall
Concert review: Laura van der Heijden (cello) London Symphony Orchestra/Oliver Zeffman
Hattie Butterworth hears the performance of Barber, Ravel and Henriëtte Bosmans at London’s Barbican Hall on 14 June 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
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
Jordi Savall: connections beyond words
The Catalan gambist and conductor Jordi Savall speaks with Michael White about his six decades of music making, the ideals that have guided his work and the future of the early music world he helped to shape
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