- News
Candidates announced for 2025 Il Piccolo Violino Magico competition
ABO calls for ‘an orchestra in every school’ in a drive for accessible music making for children
Viola da gambist to undertake three-month UK tour, completely by bicycle
Academy of St Martin in the Fields to take up residency at Bravo! Vail Music Festival
- For Subscribers
- Student Hub
- Playing Hub
- Podcast
- 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
- Directory
- Contact us
- Subscribe
- Competitions
- Reviews
- Debate
- Artists
- Accessories
Illuminating the shadows of the string trio: Black Oak Ensemble
Viola da gambist to undertake three-month UK tour, completely by bicycle
‘An emotional journey’: Alexander Sitkovetsky on Strauss’ Metamorphosen
Apollo Chamber Players: when ‘diversity’ became dangerous
Academy of St Martin in the Fields to take up residency at Bravo! Vail Music Festival
Record breaker: Library of Congress acquires ‘Tuscan-Medici’ Stradivari viola for $30 million
The 1690 instrument is one of less than a dozen surviving violas by the master luthier
Violin expert Charles Beare has died
Beare, considered to be one of the world’s most respected violin experts, died on 26 April aged 87
Holocaust violin’s history revealed in hidden note
The instrument was built in 1941 by Polish violin maker Franciszek Kempa while imprisoned at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany
Playing Hub
Apollo Chamber Players: when ‘diversity’ became dangerous
Since when did ‘diversity’ become a dirty word? Matthew J. Detrick of the Apollo Chamber Players explains the motivation behind the ensemble’s eponymous programme in its We the People series, and why the arts must be used to defend democracy
Santa Fe Pro Musica Season Finale: Conviction and Confidence
Richard Linnett reports back from Santa Fe Pro Musica’s season finale on 4 May, a celebration of American symphonic music and its folk roots, including Colin Jacobsen’s new bluegrass-inspired violin concerto, RondoEOEO
Concert review: Helen Kim (violin) Seattle Symphony/Sunny Xia
US correspondent Thomas May attends a boldy engaging interpretation of Vivaldi’s inescapable classic featuring Seattle Symphony associate concertmaster Helen Kim at Benaroya Hall on 1 May 2025
Three bows are better than one: Nancy Zhou shows off the tools of her trade
Artists sometimes use multiple instruments on an album, but what about multiple bows? Violinist Nancy Zhou shares details about the three different bows employed on her upcoming album of solo works
Catching up with violinist Hans Christian Aavik
What has Hans Christian Aavik been up to since winning the Carl Nielsen Competition in 2022? The Estonian violinist speaks about his new album release of two contrasting concertos, which comprised part of his competition victory package
Violist and composer Melia Watras on her new album ‘The almond tree duos’
18 duos for violin and viola make up Melia Watras’s latest project, inspired by literature, visual art and music, with messages of forgiveness, hope and new beginnings
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: cellist Zlatomir Fung on recording operatic fantasies for his debut album
For his debut album, US cellist Zlatomir Fung has delved into the world of the operatic fantasy – a relative rarity on the instrument. He speaks to Peter Quantrill about how making the recording has revealed new aspects of his musical personality
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Thoughts on bowing
Charles Castleman explores a range of approaches to teaching bowing techniques
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: cellist Zlatomir Fung on recording operatic fantasies for his debut album
For his debut album, US cellist Zlatomir Fung has delved into the world of the operatic fantasy – a relative rarity on the instrument. He speaks to Peter Quantrill about how making the recording has revealed new aspects of his musical personality
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Gateshead: Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions
Tully Potter attended the 2025 editions of the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions – held for the first time under one roof in the north-east of England – and he couldn’t fault the results
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Frank Peter Zimmermann on Schumann’s Violin Concerto
Although the German violinist came late to Schumann, the Violin Concerto remains one of his repertoire staples – and provides an insight into the composer’s fraught mental state
Competitions
Candidates announced for 2025 Il Piccolo Violino Magico competition
The annual competition for violinists under the age of 13 will take place from 7 to 13 July in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy
Viola candidates announced for 2025 Concours de Genève
38 violists under the age of 30 have been selected to produce a video recital, for the chance to progress to the competition’s live rounds in November
Competitors announced for 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition
Ten ensembles will compete for the chance to win the top prize package, worth over $500,000, at this year’s competition from 25 to 31 August
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: May 2025
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Anna Thorvaldsdóttir’s cello concerto for Johannes Moser
A new cello concerto balances chaos and calmness
Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto no.3 in B minor, first movement
Violinist Benjamin Beilman explores how to navigate the athletic virtuosity of a work that requires the soloist to have firm technical and musical command
Masterclass: Schumann Five Pieces in Folk Style op.102, first piece
Cellist Trey Lee shares how a particular painting in London’s National Gallery provided his inspiration for this movement, which can be seen as a metaphor for life
Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto no.3 in B minor, first movement
Violinist Benjamin Beilman explores how to navigate the athletic virtuosity of a work that requires the soloist to have firm technical and musical command
Masterclass: Schumann Five Pieces in Folk Style op.102, first piece
Cellist Trey Lee shares how a particular painting in London’s National Gallery provided his inspiration for this movement, which can be seen as a metaphor for life
Masterclass: Ravel Piano Trio, first movement
Keeping in mind Ravel’s orchestral sound palette is key to letting colour direct the myriad character and mood changes in this lilting movement, says cellist Carrie Bean Stute
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
Candidates announced for 2025 Il Piccolo Violino Magico competition
The annual competition for violinists under the age of 13 will take place from 7 to 13 July in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy
Viola candidates announced for 2025 Concours de Genève
38 violists under the age of 30 have been selected to produce a video recital, for the chance to progress to the competition’s live rounds in November
Competitors announced for 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition
Ten ensembles will compete for the chance to win the top prize package, worth over $500,000, at this year’s competition from 25 to 31 August
Yevgeny Kutik performs Dvořák’s ‘Going Home’ for solo violin
Who needs the full symphony orchestra when you can play the whole thing on one violin?
Yevgeny Kutik performs Dvořák’s ‘Going Home’ for solo violin
‘More powerful and relevant than ever’ - violinist Charles Yang performs a moving encore
Anzû Quartet performs Ken Thomson’s ‘Uneasy’
New video: Abel Selaocoe performs Takamba
Violin x gaming: Esther Abrami performs music from Final Fantasy XV
Ariel Quartet performs Beethoven String Quartet op.18, no.5
New video: ‘Dear Mountains’ by Karen Ouzounian and Lembit Beecher
Bryan Cheng performs Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto no.1
Jack Liebeck and Alexander Sitkovetsky chat about Arnold’s double violin concerto
Cellist Philipp Schupelius performs an improv-inspired cadenza
- Previous
- Next
Making Matters: Masonic symbols on 19th-century French bows
The frogs on 19th-century French bows feature several common motifs that recur in the work of several makers. Michel Samson shows how they correspond to the principles of Freemasonry
Magnificently special: Philippe Quint’s 1708 ‘Ruby’ Stradivari violin
Our May 2025 cover star describes the instrument as the ‘most extraordinary Strad’ he has played on
Record breaker: Library of Congress acquires ‘Tuscan-Medici’ Stradivari viola for $30 million
The 1690 instrument is one of less than a dozen surviving violas by the master luthier
In Focus: A 1753 viola by Carlo Antonio Testore
Sean Bishop takes a look at a relatively rare example of an 18th-century Italian viola
Leading the way: the ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1732
Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ made the 1732 ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ violin near the start of his most productive period. Florian Leonhard explores how it shows the maker’s early style and reveals the history of its most famous owner
‘To my surprise I found it to be a splendid Strad’ - From the Archive: April 1925
In his recently published memoir, the Scottish instrument dealer David Laurie (1833–97) recalls finding a Stradivari cello in the attic of one of his friends, and obtaining it for a song
Making Matters: Masonic symbols on 19th-century French bows
The frogs on 19th-century French bows feature several common motifs that recur in the work of several makers. Michel Samson shows how they correspond to the principles of Freemasonry
Magnificently special: Philippe Quint’s 1708 ‘Ruby’ Stradivari violin
Our May 2025 cover star describes the instrument as the ‘most extraordinary Strad’ he has played on
Record breaker: Library of Congress acquires ‘Tuscan-Medici’ Stradivari viola for $30 million
The 1690 instrument is one of less than a dozen surviving violas by the master luthier
In Focus: A 1753 viola by Carlo Antonio Testore
Sean Bishop takes a look at a relatively rare example of an 18th-century Italian viola
Leading the way: the ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1732
Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ made the 1732 ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ violin near the start of his most productive period. Florian Leonhard explores how it shows the maker’s early style and reveals the history of its most famous owner
‘To my surprise I found it to be a splendid Strad’ - From the Archive: April 1925
In his recently published memoir, the Scottish instrument dealer David Laurie (1833–97) recalls finding a Stradivari cello in the attic of one of his friends, and obtaining it for a song
Concert review: Helen Kim (violin) Seattle Symphony/Sunny Xia
US correspondent Thomas May attends a boldy engaging interpretation of Vivaldi’s inescapable classic featuring Seattle Symphony associate concertmaster Helen Kim at Benaroya Hall on 1 May 2025
Concert review: Owls, Claire Chase (flute)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Wiancko, Barber, Franghiz Ali-Zadeh and Terry Riley at 92NY, Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York, on 8 February 2025
Concert review: Hilary Hahn (violin) Amaryn Olmeda (violin) Seth Parker Woods (cello) Conor Hanick (piano) Tiler Peck (choreographer, ballerina) India Bradley, Roman Mejia (dancers)
Leah Hollingsworth watches an innovative balletic performance with music by Max Richter, Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon, Ysaÿe and Bach at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, New York, on 27 February 2025
The Strad Recommends: James Ehnes: Lalo, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate
An album to seduce and thrill in equal measure
The Strad Recommends: United Strings of Europe: Hommages
A crack ensemble proves its mettle in highly varied fare
The Strad Recommends: Timothy Ridout: Bach, Britten, Shaw, Telemann
An adventurous violist offers a dance through the centuries
Book review: Bach Cello Suites BWV1007–1012
Jeffrey Solow reviews a new edition of the legendary suites edited by cellist Jonas Seeberg
Book review: Songs My Mother Never Taught Me
Nathaniel Vallois reviews violinist Nigel Kennedy’s first book of compositions
Book review: Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time
Janet Banks reads Mavis Himes’s account of taking up the cello as a beginner in her late sixties
Debate
Opinion: Becoming a ‘bowist’
Violinist and teacher Alun Thomas explains why, when working on our technique and expression, string players should focus much more attention to the right arm than we might at first imagine
Opinion: The importance of repetition in teaching
In the practice of teaching, the value and beauty of repetition must always be encouraged, says violinist and pioneering Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner
Debate
Opinion: Becoming a ‘bowist’
Violinist and teacher Alun Thomas explains why, when working on our technique and expression, string players should focus much more attention to the right arm than we might at first imagine
Opinion: The importance of repetition in teaching
In the practice of teaching, the value and beauty of repetition must always be encouraged, says violinist and pioneering Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner
Accessories
Products May 2025: BAM Iconic violin case
BAM presents a case collaboration with David Garrett
Products May 2025: Stradpet Caterpillar shoulder rest
Stradpet releases a shoulder rest than can be disassembled
Products May 2025: Electroharmonix Pico 360+ looper pedal
Electroharmonix’s new pedal comes in a compact design
Concert review: Helen Kim (violin) Seattle Symphony/Sunny Xia
US correspondent Thomas May attends a boldy engaging interpretation of Vivaldi’s inescapable classic featuring Seattle Symphony associate concertmaster Helen Kim at Benaroya Hall on 1 May 2025
Concert review: Owls, Claire Chase (flute)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Wiancko, Barber, Franghiz Ali-Zadeh and Terry Riley at 92NY, Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York, on 8 February 2025
Concert review: Hilary Hahn (violin) Amaryn Olmeda (violin) Seth Parker Woods (cello) Conor Hanick (piano) Tiler Peck (choreographer, ballerina) India Bradley, Roman Mejia (dancers)
Leah Hollingsworth watches an innovative balletic performance with music by Max Richter, Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon, Ysaÿe and Bach at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, New York, on 27 February 2025
Book review: Bach Cello Suites BWV1007–1012
Jeffrey Solow reviews a new edition of the legendary suites edited by cellist Jonas Seeberg
Book review: Songs My Mother Never Taught Me
Nathaniel Vallois reviews violinist Nigel Kennedy’s first book of compositions
Book review: Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time
Janet Banks reads Mavis Himes’s account of taking up the cello as a beginner in her late sixties
The Strad Recommends: James Ehnes: Lalo, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate
An album to seduce and thrill in equal measure
The Strad Recommends: United Strings of Europe: Hommages
A crack ensemble proves its mettle in highly varied fare
The Strad Recommends: Timothy Ridout: Bach, Britten, Shaw, Telemann
An adventurous violist offers a dance through the centuries
Artists
Great violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
Cellist Zara Nelsova: A sound from a dream
The Canadian-born cellist Zara Nelsova was a fierce advocate for the repertoire she loved and for four decades an inspirational teacher at the Juilliard School. Oskar Falta explores her life and remarkable career, and hears from some of the musicians who studied with her
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
- Issues
- Contact us
- Contributors
- © 2025 The Strad
- Topics A-Z
- Terms of use
- Privacy policy
- Cookies
- FAQ
- Published by Newsquest Media Group Limited, registered in England & Wales with number 01676637 at 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW - a Gannett company