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ARD-winning Viatores Quartet signs with two agencies
Full Glass: Brooklyn Rider fills an evening with the composer’s exquisite quartets
Leonkoro Quartet named Royal Academy of Music Nina Drucker Fellows
Violinist Isabelle Faust named Artist of the Year at 2026 Gramophone Awards
‘Tone itself can become an extended technique’: James Díaz on reimagining the solo cello
Prizewinners announced at 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
US violinist Karisa Chiu has taken Gold at the 12th International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, following the final concerto performances at Hilbert Circle Theatre.
Himari: the young violin sensation on Brahms, Heifetz and her debut album
The chart-topping Japanese violinist discusses her musical influences, studying with Ida Kavafian, and what it’s like performing on a Stradivari and a Guarneri ‘del Gesù’
David Garrett on his Stradivari and Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violins: ‘I’m curating a small collection of my own’
Ahead of the release of his new album Immortal, David Garrett speaks to Eric Wen about the Stradivari and Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violins that have shaped his career, and why he has become an avid collector of fine instruments
Playing Hub
Chop and change: 60 years of the chop technique
As the chop technique turns 60, Rita Fernandes tracks its evolution and the recent development of its notation in interviews with leading practitioners – as well as learning the technique herself
Postcard from Rhode Island: Newport Classical Music Festival
At the Newport Classical Music Festival, Rita Fernandes heard a variety of captivating performances against the elegant backdrop of a New England summer resort
Full Glass: Brooklyn Rider fills an evening with the composer’s exquisite quartets
Richard Linnett reports back from a concert of string quartets by Philip Glass, held at Santa Fe’s Lensic Theatre on 4 October 2026
‘Tone itself can become an extended technique’: James Díaz on reimagining the solo cello
Composer James Díaz tells Thomas May how working with cellist John Popham led him to rethink his scores and discover new possibilities in the instrument’s smallest resonances.
The Adventures of Prince Achmed at 100: creating a live score for the silent film classic on the viola
As Lotte Reiniger’s pioneering 1926 animated feature The Adventures of Prince Achmed celebrates its centenary, violist and composer Hugo Max explores the challenges of creating a live soundtrack for modern audiences
Steve Reich at 90: Different Trains at the Glasshouse
Pwyll ap Siôn attended Royal Northern Sinfonia’s performance celebrating Steve Reich’s 90th birthday on 3 October 2026, comprising works by Reich and Bryce Dessner
Premium ❘ Feature
Sterling Elliott: coming full circle
The American cellist speaks with Lauren Wesley-Smith about his journey as a musician, the formative influence of the Sphinx Organization and finding his own voice in the digital age
Premium ❘ Feature
Chop and change: 60 years of the chop technique
As the chop technique turns 60, Rita Fernandes tracks its evolution and the recent development of its notation in interviews with leading practitioners – as well as learning the technique herself
Premium ❘ Feature
Sterling Elliott: coming full circle
The American cellist speaks with Lauren Wesley-Smith about his journey as a musician, the formative influence of the Sphinx Organization and finding his own voice in the digital age
Premium ❘ Focus
‘We should all treasure our differences’ - Simone Lamsma’s life lessons
The Dutch violinist on building independence and balancing a busy life and career
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: Playing with accompanists early on
Piano accompaniment is too often treated as an afterthought in teaching. Violinist Sendi Vartanovi argues that string students learn more effectively when collaboration begins from day one
Competitions
Semi-finalists announced for Young Concert Artists 2026 auditions
19 string players and ensembles feature among the 38 semi-finalist candidates
Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari wins Windsor Festival International String Competition
The 21-year-old Juilliard student is the first violist to win first prize in an ‘exceptionally close decision’
Prizewinners announced at 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
US violinist Karisa Chiu has taken Gold at the 12th International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, following the final concerto performances at Hilbert Circle Theatre.
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Jocelyn Campbell’s new electronic violin work
An electronic work using fragments of violin playing
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: November 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Schumann Fairy-tale Pictures op.113, third and fourth movements
Patrick Yim explores two movements of juxtaposing characters that test a viola player’s versatility and technical skill
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: Schumann Fairy-tale Pictures op.113, third and fourth movements
Patrick Yim explores two movements of juxtaposing characters that test a viola player’s versatility and technical skill
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
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
Semi-finalists announced for Young Concert Artists 2026 auditions
19 string players and ensembles feature among the 38 semi-finalist candidates
Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari wins Windsor Festival International String Competition
The 21-year-old Juilliard student is the first violist to win first prize in an ‘exceptionally close decision’
Prizewinners announced at 2026 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
US violinist Karisa Chiu has taken Gold at the 12th International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, following the final concerto performances at Hilbert Circle Theatre.
Cellist Gabriel Cabezas performs Alyssa Weinberg’s ‘Pieces of Light’
Cabezas performs Shimmer, the latest single from the upcoming album of Weinberg’s suite, Pieces of Light
Cellist Gabriel Cabezas performs Alyssa Weinberg’s ‘Pieces of Light’
‘The Final Bow’: documentary short exploring the fate of pernambuco
New video: ensemble132 performs Clara Schumann
‘Extraordinary depth and humanity’: 17-year-old cellist Daniel Dorn performs solo Bach
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
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The Strad Calendar 2027: c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ Stradivari violin
With a fascinating two-piece back, this violin contains wood from the same tree as that used for the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola
Making Matters: The curious case of the underslide
Mika Seifert uncovers evidence that the so-called ‘Hill slide’ might not have been created at the British-based violin firm at all, but may in fact have been an invention of W.A. Pfretzschner
Trade Secrets: Making a custom cutter for a second-hole bushing
Adam Goltry introduces a specialised tool for bow makers to use when carrying out a tricky repair job
Ratios and rulers: instrument geometry
How did the old Italian makers measure out their instrument patterns? David Beard reveals evidence showing that they made use of both ratios and the standard measurements used at the time
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1710 Stradivari violin
The ‘golden period’ violin is currently played by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Ludvig Gudim
My Space: Manuel Ramírez’s San Salvador workshop
The luthier presents his El Salvador shop
The Strad Calendar 2027: c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ Stradivari violin
With a fascinating two-piece back, this violin contains wood from the same tree as that used for the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola
Making Matters: The curious case of the underslide
Mika Seifert uncovers evidence that the so-called ‘Hill slide’ might not have been created at the British-based violin firm at all, but may in fact have been an invention of W.A. Pfretzschner
Trade Secrets: Making a custom cutter for a second-hole bushing
Adam Goltry introduces a specialised tool for bow makers to use when carrying out a tricky repair job
Ratios and rulers: instrument geometry
How did the old Italian makers measure out their instrument patterns? David Beard reveals evidence showing that they made use of both ratios and the standard measurements used at the time
The Strad Calendar 2027: 1710 Stradivari violin
The ‘golden period’ violin is currently played by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Ludvig Gudim
My Space: Manuel Ramírez’s San Salvador workshop
The luthier presents his El Salvador shop
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
Louis Kaufman: Smetana, Tchaikovsky
Much to admire in these highly personal Romantic piano trios
Michael Foyle: Adès, Elgar, Walton
A fresh vision of the English violin sonata
Elinor Frey: C.P.E. Bach
A historically attuned approach reaps rewards
Book review: Bows and Arrows: The Autobiography
Tully Potter reads the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the UK’s best-known cellists and pedagogues
Book review: The Golden Age of the Flemish Violins
Stefan Hersh reads Jan Strick’s long-awaited survey of instrument makers from Flanders, including contributions by Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans and Guy Rooryck
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
Debate
Opinion: Playing with accompanists early on
Piano accompaniment is too often treated as an afterthought in teaching. Violinist Sendi Vartanovi argues that string students learn more effectively when collaboration begins from day one
Opinion: How community teaching can inspire all teachers
Nabile Galván outlines how community-based teaching can inform all educators, no matter where they teach
Debate
Opinion: Playing with accompanists early on
Piano accompaniment is too often treated as an afterthought in teaching. Violinist Sendi Vartanovi argues that string students learn more effectively when collaboration begins from day one
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 reads the autobiography of Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the UK’s best-known cellists and pedagogues
Book review: The Golden Age of the Flemish Violins
Stefan Hersh reads Jan Strick’s long-awaited survey of instrument makers from Flanders, including contributions by Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans and Guy Rooryck
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
Louis Kaufman: Smetana, Tchaikovsky
Much to admire in these highly personal Romantic piano trios
Michael Foyle: Adès, Elgar, Walton
A fresh vision of the English violin sonata
Elinor Frey: C.P.E. Bach
A historically attuned approach reaps rewards
Artists
Sterling Elliott: coming full circle
The American cellist speaks with Lauren Wesley-Smith about his journey as a musician, the formative influence of the Sphinx Organization and finding his own voice in the digital age
‘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
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