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Semi-finalists announced for 2026 Singapore International Violin Competition
‘If this world is changing, so should our approach to teaching’: a case for a holistic education
Quatuor Magenta awarded quartet of instruments made from the same trees
’A distinctive golden aura’: cellist Jamie Walton on the 1642 Nicolò Amati cello
’A distinctive golden aura’: cellist Jamie Walton on the 1642 Nicolò Amati cello
Winners announced at Philharmonie de Paris 2026 viola making competition
Australian Chamber Orchestra 2026 emerging artists announced
‘Once a musician, always a musician’: Itzhak Perlman and Peter Oundjian in conversation
‘Finding hope in a desolate landscape’: Rebecca Albers on Donghoon Shin’s Celan-inspired viola concerto
Violinist Sanam Pourbabaei killed in Iran protest
The violinist was 26 years old
Documentary by violinist Lara St. John to premiere at Santa Barbara Festival
Dear Lara, directed by the violinist, investigates her own and others’ experience of surviving sexual abuse within the classical music world
Winner of the 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition to receive Pablo Casals’ Gofriller cello
The loan of the historic instrument will honour the 75th anniversary of the competition, as well as the 150th anniversaries of the births of both Pablo Casals and Queen Elisabeth
Playing Hub
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
‘Once a musician, always a musician’: Itzhak Perlman and Peter Oundjian in conversation
Itzhak Perlman and Peter Oundjian talk about their friendship and shared musical values ahead of their reunion on stage with the Colorado Symphony at Carnegie Hall.
‘Finding hope in a desolate landscape’: Rebecca Albers on Donghoon Shin’s Celan-inspired viola concerto
Minnesota Orchestra principal violist Rebecca Albers prepares the North American premiere of Donghoon Shin’s Celan-inspired viola concerto Threadsuns.
Mindset beyond technique: why mental training matters for musicians
Why do performances sometimes fall short of what musicians can achieve in the practice room? Joanna Latała explores how mental training – long embraced in elite sport – offers practical methods for transforming preparation into reliable, expressive performance
Raising individuals, not imitators: Guy Johnston on the art of teaching
Cellist Guy Johnston, president of ESTA UK, has recently completed his studies on the ESTA Education PG Cert course in practical instrumental teaching. Eve Kennedy speaks to him to hear more about his teaching work and his experience of the course
The violin technique that shouldn’t exist: MinutePhysics explains Roman Kim’s harmonics technique
Roman Kim reveals how a long‑forgotten idea led him to develop a harmonic technique once thought impossible, explored here with Daniel Kurganov and MinutePhysics
Premium ❘ Feature
From sword to bow: Marczi Zöldy
The young Hungarian soldier who became known as virtuoso violinist Marczi Zöldy at the turn of the 20th century was skilled in many areas, not least as a musician and a fencer. Grzegorz Kaproń tells his eventful, colourful life story
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: cellist Steven Isserlis on recording sonatas by Schumann and Moscheles
Cellist Steven Isserlis chats to Peter Quantrill about his new recording of sonatas by Schumann and Moscheles, both written in 1851 during a period that marked a great flourishing of the arts
Premium ❘ Feature
From sword to bow: Marczi Zöldy
The young Hungarian soldier who became known as virtuoso violinist Marczi Zöldy at the turn of the 20th century was skilled in many areas, not least as a musician and a fencer. Grzegorz Kaproń tells his eventful, colourful life story
Premium ❘ Focus
‘It always comes back to listening to others’ - Alasdair Tait’s life lessons
The Scottish cellist and chief executive of Young Classical Artists Trust on communication and creativity
Premium ❘ Focus
Auction Report January 2026: Lights in the darkness
A brace of Gaglianos and a cavalcade of Sartory bows were among the highlights of London’s October sales, as Kevin MacDonald reports
Competitions
Semi-finalists announced for 2026 Singapore International Violin Competition
Twelve violinists will perform a 60-minute recital programme including the competition’s commissioned work, on 1 and 2 February
Winners announced at the 2026 Sphinx Competition
More than $100,000 in prizes and concert engagements were awarded at the final rounds on 23 and 24 January
Finalists announced for 2026 Sphinx Competition
The Junior and Senior division finalists will now compete in concerts on 23 and 24 January for more than $100,000 in prizes and future performance engagements
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Jeffrey Mumford’s new double concerto
The movement of clouds inspired a densely layered work
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: February 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
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
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
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
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
Masterclass: Brahms Violin Concerto, second movement
The feeling of rhetoric and a stream of consciousness must be represented when approaching this movement, says violinist Liza Ferschtman
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 2026 Singapore International Violin Competition
Twelve violinists will perform a 60-minute recital programme including the competition’s commissioned work, on 1 and 2 February
Winners announced at the 2026 Sphinx Competition
More than $100,000 in prizes and concert engagements were awarded at the final rounds on 23 and 24 January
Finalists announced for 2026 Sphinx Competition
The Junior and Senior division finalists will now compete in concerts on 23 and 24 January for more than $100,000 in prizes and future performance engagements
The violin technique that shouldn’t exist: MinutePhysics explains Roman Kim’s harmonics technique
Roman Kim reveals how a long‑forgotten idea led him to develop a harmonic technique once thought impossible, explored here with Daniel Kurganov and MinutePhysics
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
’Unapologetic passion: Delirium Musicum presents ‘Danse Macabre’
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’A distinctive golden aura’: cellist Jamie Walton on the 1642 Nicolò Amati cello
Jamie Walton, the current custodian of the Amati cello, reflects on its sound and projection
In the layers of light: the ground coat
What is the ground coat – and more importantly, what is it for? Pierre Flavetta examines the properties and visual effects of this mysterious pre-varnish instrument coating
Analysis February 2026: A decision on the fate of pernambuco
With the recent decision to keep pernambuco wood on CITES Appendix II, but with added restrictions, what are the implications for bow makers, dealers, auction houses and musicians?
Winners announced at Philharmonie de Paris 2026 viola making competition
Andreas Hampel took the top prize in the French capital, with Piotr Pielaszek, Marcus Klimke and Jonathan Magerl also picking up awards
Seven, they are seven: Nicolò Amati cello 1642
One of only seven known cellos by Nicolò Amati, this 1642 example is in an excellent state of preservation. Alberto Giordano examines its history and provenance, while Barthélemy Garnier discovers what its condition can tell us about the old Cremonese working methods, and Francesco Piasentini discusses CT-scanning the cello
‘Never will I part with it as long as I live’: Paganini’s quartet of Strads
Tully Potter takes a closer look at the four Stradivari instruments formerly owned by Paganini, and later played by the Paganini Quartet
’A distinctive golden aura’: cellist Jamie Walton on the 1642 Nicolò Amati cello
Jamie Walton, the current custodian of the Amati cello, reflects on its sound and projection
In the layers of light: the ground coat
What is the ground coat – and more importantly, what is it for? Pierre Flavetta examines the properties and visual effects of this mysterious pre-varnish instrument coating
Analysis February 2026: A decision on the fate of pernambuco
With the recent decision to keep pernambuco wood on CITES Appendix II, but with added restrictions, what are the implications for bow makers, dealers, auction houses and musicians?
Winners announced at Philharmonie de Paris 2026 viola making competition
Andreas Hampel took the top prize in the French capital, with Piotr Pielaszek, Marcus Klimke and Jonathan Magerl also picking up awards
Seven, they are seven: Nicolò Amati cello 1642
One of only seven known cellos by Nicolò Amati, this 1642 example is in an excellent state of preservation. Alberto Giordano examines its history and provenance, while Barthélemy Garnier discovers what its condition can tell us about the old Cremonese working methods, and Francesco Piasentini discusses CT-scanning the cello
‘Never will I part with it as long as I live’: Paganini’s quartet of Strads
Tully Potter takes a closer look at the four Stradivari instruments formerly owned by Paganini, and later played by the Paganini Quartet
Concert review: Abeo Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mendelssohn, Reena Esmail and Brahms at the New School Auditorium, New York, NY, US, on 9 November 2025
Concert review: Sterling Elliott (cello) Sphinx Virtuosi
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Prokofiev, William Grant Still, Clarice Assad, Quenton Blache, Jessie Montgomery, José White Lafitte, Ginastera and Ponce at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 16 October 2025
Concert review: Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 25 October 2025 for the performance of Sibelius, Jennifer Higdon, Tchaikovsky and Josef Rheinberger
The Strad Recommends: Consone Quartet: Fanny Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn
Plenty of guts marks this album out from the crowd
The Strad Recommends: Tabea Zimmermann: Britten, Enescu
An eloquent pairing of works is magnificently brought to life
Christian Tetzlaff: Adès, Elgar
Contrasting concertos yield different results
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Book review: Trinity College London String Syllabus 2025
Philippa Bunting looks through the repertoire choices of the newly issued TCL strings books
Book review: The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World
Pauline Harding reads a picture book by James Howe and Jack Wong all about the renowned cellist’s life and career
Debate
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
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Debate
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
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Accessories
Products February 2026: Fiedler Cases Carbonmetal cello endpins
A new endpin combines both carbon fibre and metal
Products February 2026: Alfredo Clemente Clementino shoulder rest
A foam shoulder rest made for freedom of movement
Products February 2026: OldWood string cleaner
A string cleaner to keep your instrument in good condition
Concert review: Abeo Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mendelssohn, Reena Esmail and Brahms at the New School Auditorium, New York, NY, US, on 9 November 2025
Concert review: Sterling Elliott (cello) Sphinx Virtuosi
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Prokofiev, William Grant Still, Clarice Assad, Quenton Blache, Jessie Montgomery, José White Lafitte, Ginastera and Ponce at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 16 October 2025
Concert review: Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 25 October 2025 for the performance of Sibelius, Jennifer Higdon, Tchaikovsky and Josef Rheinberger
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Book review: Trinity College London String Syllabus 2025
Philippa Bunting looks through the repertoire choices of the newly issued TCL strings books
Book review: The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World
Pauline Harding reads a picture book by James Howe and Jack Wong all about the renowned cellist’s life and career
The Strad Recommends: Consone Quartet: Fanny Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn
Plenty of guts marks this album out from the crowd
The Strad Recommends: Tabea Zimmermann: Britten, Enescu
An eloquent pairing of works is magnificently brought to life
Christian Tetzlaff: Adès, Elgar
Contrasting concertos yield different results
Artists
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
A youthful spirit: violinist Johan Dalene
The young Swedish violin virtuoso Johan Dalene speaks to Jessica Duchen about his evolution as a musician, his passion for contemporary music and his latest album that pairs the Bruch and Mendelssohn concertos
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