- News
- For Subscribers
- Student Hub
- Playing Hub
- Directory
- Lutherie
- Magazine
- Magazine archive
- Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or enthusiast, you'll find ideas and inspiration from leading artists, teachers and luthiers in our archive which features every issue published since January 2010 - available exclusively to subscribers. View the archive.
- Jobs
- Shop
- Podcast
- Contact us
- Subscribe
- School Subscription
- Competitions
- Reviews
- Debate
- Artists
- Accessories
Gathering around the hearth: inside the Miró Quartet’s new holiday album
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
‘You can combine all those influences into your own playing’ - Hilary Hahn’s violin heroes
A cello, a zipline and a drone: how Gautier Capuçon’s Alpine music video was filmed
What’s for dinner? How nutrition has an effect on musical performance
There is plenty of information about the effects of nutrition on general health and sport. But what about musical performance? Dr Berenice Beverley Zammit - Performance Guru - suggests some nutritional choices that can help you perform at your best
US violist Lois Martin has died
The violist, described as ’an indelible part of the New York music scene’, was 73
‘Something deeply human and expressive breaks through’: Leila Josefowicz on the violin concerto of Thomas Adès
Leila Josefowicz reflects on her long relationship with Thomas Adès’s violin concerto, now out in her live recording with the Minnesota Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård.
Playing Hub
The mindful hands: creative health for musicians
Pedro de Alcantara considers a playful yet philosophical approach to boosting health for the curious musician, and suggests some novel arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises for string players
‘What we do is a miraculous connection to others’ - Peter Sheppard Skærved’s life lessons
The British violinist on a musician’s duty and the importance of community
‘You feel the presence and breath of a fifth person’ - The Elmire Quartet on its debut ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets album
The French quartet talks to The Strad about its experience tackling Beethoven’s monumental op.59 quartets in its debut album, Beyond the Limits
‘You can combine all those influences into your own playing’ - Hilary Hahn’s violin heroes
In this throwback to an interview from 1999, Hilary Hahn shares why she finds inspiration in the playing of great violinists including Brodsky, Elman, Milstein, Kriesler, Grumiaux and Heifetz
A cello, a zipline and a drone: how Gautier Capuçon’s Alpine music video was filmed
A steady hand, plus tolerance for heights and altitude were key to Capuçon’s epic new video to raise awareness of glacier preservation
‘Behold and savour’: Kreutzer and Fratres in Santa Fe
Richard Linnett attended Chatter’s event in Santa Fe on 22 November, featuring two powerhouses of string repertoire
Premium ❘ Feature
Amaryllis Fleming: A life less ordinary
To mark a hundred years since the birth of Amaryllis Fleming in December 1925, Oskar Falta takes a look at the British cellist’s colourful life and influential career, and hears from one of her pupils – Raphael Wallfisch
Premium ❘ Feature
The mindful hands: creative health for musicians
Pedro de Alcantara considers a playful yet philosophical approach to boosting health for the curious musician, and suggests some novel arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises for string players
Premium ❘ Feature
Amaryllis Fleming: A life less ordinary
To mark a hundred years since the birth of Amaryllis Fleming in December 1925, Oskar Falta takes a look at the British cellist’s colourful life and influential career, and hears from one of her pupils – Raphael Wallfisch
![[1st prize] Poiesis Quartet in round 3 (2)](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/1/9/5/41195_1stprizepoiesisquartetinround32_547631.jpg)
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Canada: Banff International String Quartet Competition
At the Banff International String Quartet Competition, Rita Fernandes heard some of today’s top young ensembles, each with its own personality
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Krysia Osostowicz on Shostakovich’s String Quartet no.15
For the British violinist, Shostakovich’s String Quartet no.15 calls to mind a moving Menuhin rehearsal and her initiation into the Brodsky Quartet
Competitions
Vasco Abadjiev International Violin Competition winners announced
Two first prizes and two third prizes were awarded
Cellist wins 2025 VP Bank Opus Award in Liechtenstein
British cellist Willard Carter received €5,000 and a gold pin following a winning performance on 13 November
Results announced for the Joseph Bologne Violin Competition
The competition was part of a festival celebrating the legacy of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and offered a top prize of €20,000
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: December 2025
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Josephine Stephenson’s new work featuring Nicolas Altstaedt
A work that takes on the topic of climate change
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
Masterclass: Dvořák Romance in F minor op.11
Violinist Grace Park examines ways of creating nuance and variety in this seemingly simple piece, which is imbued with folk elements characteristic of Dvořák’s heritage
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
Masterclass: Dvořák Romance in F minor op.11
Violinist Grace Park examines ways of creating nuance and variety in this seemingly simple piece, which is imbued with folk elements characteristic of Dvořák’s heritage
Masterclass: Ysaÿe’s Rêve d’enfant op.14 for violin and piano
Violinist Nancy Zhou demonstrates the breadth of Ysaÿe’s expressive devices in an intimate piece dedicated to his son
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
Vasco Abadjiev International Violin Competition winners announced
Two first prizes and two third prizes were awarded
Cellist wins 2025 VP Bank Opus Award in Liechtenstein
British cellist Willard Carter received €5,000 and a gold pin following a winning performance on 13 November
Results announced for the Joseph Bologne Violin Competition
The competition was part of a festival celebrating the legacy of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and offered a top prize of €20,000
Hina & Fiona perform Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia for two violins
The work features on the sister-duo’s debut album, Dear to Us
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’
WATCH LIVE: Concours de Genève viola finals
A lasting relationship: the Ariel Quartet performs Beethoven op.59 no.3
A tribute to Mr Menuhin: an encore performance from Edinburgh International Festival
‘A vast expressive range’: violinist Stanislav Pronin performs Der Rosenkavalier on Heifetz’s violin
Anna Štube performs Ernest Kanitz’s Violin Sonata
Paganini’s Mosè Fantasy: bel canto and virtuosity on only one string
- Previous
- Next
Uniting luthiers, bow makers and players: Klanggestalten in Berlin 2025
Carlos María Solare reports back from Klanggestalten in Berlin, held from 31 October to 2 November 2025, where highlights included the Signum Quartet performing on different combinations of new instruments and bows
Trade Secrets: Cutting the f-holes
The traditional method adopted by the luthiers of the old Mirecourt school
The Strad Calendar 2026: 1713 ‘G. Schönau’ Antonio Stradivari violin
This fascinating example of Stradivari’s work is played by Nikki Chooi, the current concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
In Focus: A c.1690 violin by Giovanni Maria del Bussetto
Aidan Mullerkin examines the elusive maker’s instrument
The Strad Calendar 2026: 1741 ‘Bohrer, Baumgartner’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
Currently played by Kerson Leong, this is an ‘outstanding concert instrument in excellent condition’
Forms follow function: early Stradivari violin patterns
Unlike his contemporaries, Antonio Stradivari was trying out different violin patterns from the start of his career as a luthier. Philip Ihle examines a number of his early violins to discover how his art evolved
Uniting luthiers, bow makers and players: Klanggestalten in Berlin 2025
Carlos María Solare reports back from Klanggestalten in Berlin, held from 31 October to 2 November 2025, where highlights included the Signum Quartet performing on different combinations of new instruments and bows
Trade Secrets: Cutting the f-holes
The traditional method adopted by the luthiers of the old Mirecourt school
The Strad Calendar 2026: 1713 ‘G. Schönau’ Antonio Stradivari violin
This fascinating example of Stradivari’s work is played by Nikki Chooi, the current concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
In Focus: A c.1690 violin by Giovanni Maria del Bussetto
Aidan Mullerkin examines the elusive maker’s instrument
The Strad Calendar 2026: 1741 ‘Bohrer, Baumgartner’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
Currently played by Kerson Leong, this is an ‘outstanding concert instrument in excellent condition’
Forms follow function: early Stradivari violin patterns
Unlike his contemporaries, Antonio Stradivari was trying out different violin patterns from the start of his career as a luthier. Philip Ihle examines a number of his early violins to discover how his art evolved
Concert review: Richard O’Neill (viola) and Jeremy Denk (piano)
US correspondent Thomas May hears Richard O’Neill and Jeremy Denk in a gripping recital presented by Seattle Chamber Music Society on 23 November 2025
Concert review: Johan Dalene (violin) Danish Philharmonic Orchestra Sønderborg/Andris Poga
Andrew Mellor visits the Alsion Concert Hall in Sønderborg, Sweden, on 11 September 2025 for the performance of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Ysaÿe
Concert review: Tabea Zimmermann (viola) Ensemble Resonanz
Carlos Maria Solare attends the performance of Enescu, Bartók and Lili Boulanger at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, on 12 September 2025
Manon Galy, Léa Hennino, Héloïse Luzzati: Une Quête d’Infini
Another persuasive rediscovery from an imaginative label
Irvine Arditti, Gianluca Pirisi: Fremde Szenen
Blistering conviction marks out this Rihm tribute
Isabelle Faust: Telemann
Effervescent playing brings a Baroque master to life
Book review: John Williams: A Composer’s Life
Brian Hodges reviews Tim Greiving’s monumental biography of America’s foremost film composer
Book review: A Cultural History of the Violin in Nineteenth-Century London: From Instrument to Art
Robin Stowell reads Tom Wilder’s socio-economic analysis of the violin’s status as a cultural artefact throughout the Victorian era
Book review: The Eyes of Bach
Raphael Klayman reads Marc Moskovitz’s historical novel imagining the great composer’s relationship with cellist Carl Friedrich Barth
Debate
Opinion: How a performing career and teaching work hand in hand
Can performers sustain their own careers while also teaching students at a high level? Violinist Irina Rostomashvili believes it is not only possible, but essential
Opinion: Duets as a teaching tool
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell outlines the reasons why duet playing is an essential tool in one-to-one instrumental teaching
Debate
Opinion: How a performing career and teaching work hand in hand
Can performers sustain their own careers while also teaching students at a high level? Violinist Irina Rostomashvili believes it is not only possible, but essential
Opinion: Duets as a teaching tool
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell outlines the reasons why duet playing is an essential tool in one-to-one instrumental teaching
Accessories
Products December 2025: D’Addario Micro Rechargeable Tuner for violin and viola
The tuner features a multi-colour display and fast pitch response
Products December 2025: Larsen Il Cannone Silver violin strings
A shiny new addition to the Il Cannone line
Products December 2025: Müsing L Series viola, cello and bass bows
The company has completed its L series with three new bows
Concert review: Richard O’Neill (viola) and Jeremy Denk (piano)
US correspondent Thomas May hears Richard O’Neill and Jeremy Denk in a gripping recital presented by Seattle Chamber Music Society on 23 November 2025
Concert review: Johan Dalene (violin) Danish Philharmonic Orchestra Sønderborg/Andris Poga
Andrew Mellor visits the Alsion Concert Hall in Sønderborg, Sweden, on 11 September 2025 for the performance of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Ysaÿe
Concert review: Tabea Zimmermann (viola) Ensemble Resonanz
Carlos Maria Solare attends the performance of Enescu, Bartók and Lili Boulanger at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, on 12 September 2025
Book review: John Williams: A Composer’s Life
Brian Hodges reviews Tim Greiving’s monumental biography of America’s foremost film composer
Book review: A Cultural History of the Violin in Nineteenth-Century London: From Instrument to Art
Robin Stowell reads Tom Wilder’s socio-economic analysis of the violin’s status as a cultural artefact throughout the Victorian era
Book review: The Eyes of Bach
Raphael Klayman reads Marc Moskovitz’s historical novel imagining the great composer’s relationship with cellist Carl Friedrich Barth
Manon Galy, Léa Hennino, Héloïse Luzzati: Une Quête d’Infini
Another persuasive rediscovery from an imaginative label
Irvine Arditti, Gianluca Pirisi: Fremde Szenen
Blistering conviction marks out this Rihm tribute
Isabelle Faust: Telemann
Effervescent playing brings a Baroque master to life
Artists
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
The greatest storyteller: Itzhak Perlman at 80
As he turns 80, the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman speaks to Ariane Todes about everything from his stellar career to his teaching ethos, and his approach to social media stardom
Yo-Yo Ma: celebrating 70 years of the eminent cellist
The legendary cellist was born on 7 October 1955. We take a look at some moments of the cellist’s unparalleled career over the decades
Education Resources
-
-
The Strad Directory is the essential resource for the string music world, with over 2,300 listings providing information on string businesses across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Whether you are a string player searching for a new instrument or a business owner looking to reach your target audience, the Strad Directory remains the most comprehensive and user-friendly resource for the string music world.
Available from The Strad Shop
-
Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or an enthusiast, the Strad Shop is the number one source for books, CDs and back issues of the magazine. Products for sale include an exclusive range of instrument making posters, calendars and information products published by and directly for sale from The Strad.
- THE STRAD SHOP
Keep informed
