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How do you take a violin to space? The story of astronaut Sarah Gillis and her violin
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1689 ‘Baumgartner’ Antonio Stradivari violin
Joint second prize and no first prize awarded at the Alberto Lysy Competition
Winners announced for the Luigi Nono International Chamber Music Competition
Joint first prize awarded at the Naumburg International Cello Competition
How do you take a violin to space? The story of astronaut Sarah Gillis and her violin
Taking a violin into space is no simple task. Barbara Barber from Robertson & Sons Violin Shop shares how astronaut Sarah Gillis selected the instrument for her mission, as well as the process behind preparing the violin for its journey
Igudesman & Joo congratulates fellow comedy duo TwoSet Violin on its shock retirement
The duos made a short announcement to their fans in a video on social media
Long-standing violinist and cellist resign from New Zealand String Quartet, following misconduct investigation
Violinist Helene Pohl and cellist Rolf Gjelsten have resigned with immediate effect over conflicts of interest associated with their teaching
Playing Hub
Postcard from Switzerland: Gstaad Menuhin Festival
The Gstaad Menuhin Festival presented more than 60 concerts over six weeks in the Swiss Alps during the summer of 2024. Laurence Vittes sampled some of the best of its strings programming
9 things cellists need to consider when taking an orchestral audition
Audition preparation presents myriad challenges for prospective orchestral cellists, writes Jennifer Langridge, ahead of the London Cello Society’s Professional Development Day on tackling orchestral auditions
Giving voice: how three Levantine female singers inspired composer Bushra El-Turk
The composer explains the background for her work Three Tributes, ahead of its UK premiere by the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam later this week
Nietzschean virtuosity: Rainer Eudeikis plays Salonen’s Cello Concerto in San Francisco
US correspondent Thomas May speaks with Rainer Eudeikis, San Francisco Symphony’s principal cellist, about the unusual challenges of performing the Cello Concerto by the orchestra’s music director.
Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja on the shadow world of Shostakovich
US correspondent Thomas May speaks with Patricia Kopatchinskaja about playing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 on her current tour with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner, which culminates in her long-overdue Carnegie Hall debut.
Rachel Barton Pine: ‘What we’re doing today is the history of tomorrow’
As she turns 50, the American violinist Rachel Barton Pine speaks to Ariane Todes about her unwavering enthusiasm for discovering, and communicating, the artistic integrity in everything she does
Premium ❘ Feature
In the zone: a one-person double bass repair method
For luthiers working alone, double bass repair can be a difficult task to take on. US bass maker Nick Lloyd presents his ‘Zone method’ for re-gluing a bass top using just one pair of hands
Premium ❘ Feature
Like father, like daughter: the Giorgis family of violin makers
New research in the Turin archives has uncovered fascinating insights into the life of the violin maker Nicola Giorgis. Claudio Amighetti reveals why Giorgis’s daughter Francesca Maria took over his workshop upon his death in 1745
Premium ❘ Feature
In the zone: a one-person double bass repair method
For luthiers working alone, double bass repair can be a difficult task to take on. US bass maker Nick Lloyd presents his ‘Zone method’ for re-gluing a bass top using just one pair of hands
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Alexander Sitkovetsky on Bach’s ‘Double’ Violin Concerto
Bach’s ‘Double’ Violin Concerto in D minor BWV1043 has been a constant companion throughout the Russian–British violinist’s life, and played critical roles in his career
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Imagination is one of the most important things in music’ - Alexander Baillie’s life lessons
The British cellist on playing fundamentals and developing musicality
Competitions
Joint second prize and no first prize awarded at the Alberto Lysy Competition
Both Ukrainian violinist Georgii Moroz and German-Spanish-Malaysian violinist Elias David Moncado were awarded second prize
Winners announced for the Luigi Nono International Chamber Music Competition
The first prize of €2,000 was awarded to the Meisl Quartet from Denmark
Joint first prize awarded at the Naumburg International Cello Competition
The cellists each receive $20,000, a New York City recital, and a commissioned work
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Tim Garland’s new violin concerto
A violin concerto with improvisation throughout
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: November 2024
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on viola, first movement
Yuri Zhislin illustrates the importance of colour and harmony in a work renowned for its lyricism and technicality
Masterclass: Mendelssohn String Quartet in F minor, first movement
Second violinist of the Aris Quartet Noémi Zipperling examines Mendelssohn’s emotionally charged movement, considered to be a requiem for his sister and, ultimately, himself
Masterclass: Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on viola, first movement
Yuri Zhislin illustrates the importance of colour and harmony in a work renowned for its lyricism and technicality
Masterclass: Mendelssohn String Quartet in F minor, first movement
Second violinist of the Aris Quartet Noémi Zipperling examines Mendelssohn’s emotionally charged movement, considered to be a requiem for his sister and, ultimately, himself
Masterclass: Debussy Cello Sonata, second and third movements
Cellist Thomas Demenga reflects on the importance of restraint next to the extremes of expressive detail to be brought out in this masterpiece
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
Joint second prize and no first prize awarded at the Alberto Lysy Competition
Both Ukrainian violinist Georgii Moroz and German-Spanish-Malaysian violinist Elias David Moncado were awarded second prize
Winners announced for the Luigi Nono International Chamber Music Competition
The first prize of €2,000 was awarded to the Meisl Quartet from Denmark
Joint first prize awarded at the Naumburg International Cello Competition
The cellists each receive $20,000, a New York City recital, and a commissioned work
Vivere Quartet performs Hannah Havrylet’s ‘Expressions’
The work is included in the ensemble’s new album, Prayer for Ukraine
Vivere Quartet performs Hannah Havrylet’s ‘Expressions’
Davina Clarke plays Bach Sonata No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1016
Two violins are better than one: Candida Thompson, Simone Lamsma and Amsterdam Sinfonietta perform Bach
‘Rare instruments, greed and brutal murder’: New documentary about the murders of a luthier and his daughter
Grieg Cello Sonata… on double bass!
Video: 15 Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violins in less than 4 minutes
Video: First violin performance in space
Violinist Emily Sun performs John Williams’s Theme from Schindler’s List
Michael Rieber plays Franck Sonata on double bass
Sheku Kanneh-Mason in the spotlight at the Lucerne Festival
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- Next
How do you take a violin to space? The story of astronaut Sarah Gillis and her violin
Taking a violin into space is no simple task. Barbara Barber from Robertson & Sons Violin Shop shares how astronaut Sarah Gillis selected the instrument for her mission, as well as the process behind preparing the violin for its journey
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1689 ‘Baumgartner’ Antonio Stradivari violin
Marking the end of Stradivari’s early ’Amatisé’ period, it is named for the Swiss violin dealer Fritz Baumgartner
In the zone: a one-person double bass repair method
For luthiers working alone, double bass repair can be a difficult task to take on. US bass maker Nick Lloyd presents his ‘Zone method’ for re-gluing a bass top using just one pair of hands
Like father, like daughter: the Giorgis family of violin makers
New research in the Turin archives has uncovered fascinating insights into the life of the violin maker Nicola Giorgis. Claudio Amighetti reveals why Giorgis’s daughter Francesca Maria took over his workshop upon his death in 1745
New York Philharmonic concertmaster acquires Pierre Simon bow
Frank Huang is now the owner of the beautifully decorated ‘Caraman-Chimay’ Pierre Simon bow, thanks to a recent sale by Tarisio
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1871 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin
An exact copy of Stradivari’s ‘Messiah’, it remained in a vault in Paris for more than 70 years
How do you take a violin to space? The story of astronaut Sarah Gillis and her violin
Taking a violin into space is no simple task. Barbara Barber from Robertson & Sons Violin Shop shares how astronaut Sarah Gillis selected the instrument for her mission, as well as the process behind preparing the violin for its journey
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1689 ‘Baumgartner’ Antonio Stradivari violin
Marking the end of Stradivari’s early ’Amatisé’ period, it is named for the Swiss violin dealer Fritz Baumgartner
In the zone: a one-person double bass repair method
For luthiers working alone, double bass repair can be a difficult task to take on. US bass maker Nick Lloyd presents his ‘Zone method’ for re-gluing a bass top using just one pair of hands
Like father, like daughter: the Giorgis family of violin makers
New research in the Turin archives has uncovered fascinating insights into the life of the violin maker Nicola Giorgis. Claudio Amighetti reveals why Giorgis’s daughter Francesca Maria took over his workshop upon his death in 1745
New York Philharmonic concertmaster acquires Pierre Simon bow
Frank Huang is now the owner of the beautifully decorated ‘Caraman-Chimay’ Pierre Simon bow, thanks to a recent sale by Tarisio
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1871 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin
An exact copy of Stradivari’s ‘Messiah’, it remained in a vault in Paris for more than 70 years
Concert review: Lark, Roman and Meyer Trio
Thomas May attends their concert of Bach and music by Meyer himself at the University of Washington’s Meany Center for the Arts in Seattle on 16 October 2024
Festival round-up: Edinburgh International Festival 2024
David Kettle reports from the Edinburgh International Festival, where string works were much in evidence
Concert review: Bozzini Quartet
Bruce Hodges takes in the performance of Bekah Simms, Klaus Lang, James Tenney at Jürg Frey at Mary Flagler Cary Hall in New York’s Dimenna Center on 16 and 17 August 2024
The Strad Recommends: Lawrence Power: Lindberg
A richly rewarding performance of a major new viola concerto
The Strad Recommends: Vilde Frang: Elgar
Profundity and spiritedness go hand in hand in this Romantic masterpiece
The Strad Recommends: Emmanuelle Bertrand: Cello Dreams
A charm of lullabies that avoids the saccharine
Book review: Thumb Position
Caroline Emery reviews double bass tutor Charlotte Mohrs’s introduction to playing in thumb position, published in English for the first time
Book review: A Survey of Solo Works for the Violoncello
Janet Banks reviews cello professor Brian Hodges’ volume on cello repertoire from the 17th century to the present day
Book review: The Instrumentalist
Anne Inglis reviews Harriet Constable’s fictionalised account of the life of violinist Anna Maria della Pietà, protégé of Vivaldi
Debate
Opinion: Avoid cheap instruments for beginners
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell urges parents not to buy their children cheap stringed instruments online – it’s a false economy and only leads to disappointment and waste
Opinion: Avoid overloading students with information
Double bassist Alex Ferkey believes that young string players are often derailed by information overload, and should trust more in unconscious processes when trying to perfect their technique
Debate
Opinion: Avoid cheap instruments for beginners
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell urges parents not to buy their children cheap stringed instruments online – it’s a false economy and only leads to disappointment and waste
Accessories
Products November 2024: Gewa Space Bag colours
New colours are now available for the company’s backpack range
Products November 2024: Leatherwood Concerto rosin
A new rosin tailored to solo playing
Products November 2024: Pirastro Luna KorfkerRest for viola
Violists can now enjoy Pirastro’s newest shoulder rest model
Concert review: Lark, Roman and Meyer Trio
Thomas May attends their concert of Bach and music by Meyer himself at the University of Washington’s Meany Center for the Arts in Seattle on 16 October 2024
Festival round-up: Edinburgh International Festival 2024
David Kettle reports from the Edinburgh International Festival, where string works were much in evidence
Concert review: Bozzini Quartet
Bruce Hodges takes in the performance of Bekah Simms, Klaus Lang, James Tenney at Jürg Frey at Mary Flagler Cary Hall in New York’s Dimenna Center on 16 and 17 August 2024
Book review: Thumb Position
Caroline Emery reviews double bass tutor Charlotte Mohrs’s introduction to playing in thumb position, published in English for the first time
Book review: A Survey of Solo Works for the Violoncello
Janet Banks reviews cello professor Brian Hodges’ volume on cello repertoire from the 17th century to the present day
Book review: The Instrumentalist
Anne Inglis reviews Harriet Constable’s fictionalised account of the life of violinist Anna Maria della Pietà, protégé of Vivaldi
The Strad Recommends: Lawrence Power: Lindberg
A richly rewarding performance of a major new viola concerto
The Strad Recommends: Vilde Frang: Elgar
Profundity and spiritedness go hand in hand in this Romantic masterpiece
The Strad Recommends: Emmanuelle Bertrand: Cello Dreams
A charm of lullabies that avoids the saccharine
Artists
Julia Hagen makes her Vienna Philharmonic debut at the Lucerne Festival
US correspondent Thomas May interviews cellist Julia Hagen, winner of the 2024 UBS Young Artist Award, on the eve of her breakthrough debut with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Lucerne Festival
Great string players of the past: violinist Ivry Gitlis on George Enescu
Ivry Gitlis’s lessons with George Enescu focused purely on the music. From October 2013
Augustin Hadelich on his new album, ‘American Road Trip’
The violinist answers The Strad’s questions on America’s cornucopia of musical styles, evident in his upcoming album comprising works by composers ranging from Bernstein to Adams, to Coleridge-Taylor and Beach
Education Resources
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