The Strad’s editor Emma Baker introduces the education-themed September 2025 issue, starring German violist and educator Tabea Zimmermann
Our cover star this month is Tabea Zimmermann, the indefatigable German violist who combines her stellar performance career with a deep commitment to pedagogy: she was awarded her first professorship at the tender age of 21 and has a long list of well-known former pupils. In a wide-ranging interview she speaks to Pauline Harding about her teaching style, how to be a good competition judge, playing new music, and why she is exasperated by the narrow choice of orchestral audition pieces for violists.
Our bumper September issue has a focus on lifetime education. We consider the question: who teaches the teachers? Peter Somerford discovers the various options for professional development open to both young string players and already-established tutors looking to up their game. And Hattie Butterworth speaks to key figures in the Denver Adult Strings Camp, which was launched in 2021 as a one-off event for adult beginners and returners, but has grown into something permanent and important; it’s a genuine feel-good story.
Does size matter when it comes to the sound of a viola? Luthiers Bas Maas and Francesco Piasentini report on the findings of extensive experiments done by a group of violin makers in France, and the results may surprise you. Also in lutherie this month, Daniel Kogge looks at the chequered history of violin making in Berlin from the 18th century.
The controversial issue of pernambuco has raised its head once more, with Brazil again proposing a worldwide ban on its trade. In Making Matters Christian Lloyd examines the potentially disastrous implications this might have on the music industry.
Last but not least, just before we went to press we heard the very sad news that the US double bassist Gary Karr had died. The string world is a poorer place without him. His former student, bass professor David Murray, looks back at his life and considers his legacy.
Emma Baker editor
Email me at thestrad@thestrad.com or tweet @TheStradMag
Issue summary
We talk to violist Tabea Zimmermann and report on an innovative adult strings camp in Denver. There’s a look at the the history of lutherie in Berlin and a tribute to the late double bassist Gary Karr. Plus an Ysaÿe Masterclass and Thomas Demenga’s Sentimental Work
Contents
GARY KARR The influential US double bassist died on 16 July at the age of 83. His friend and colleague David Murray pays tribute to the world-renowned musician and tutor
TABEA ZIMMERMANN For the German violist and pedagogue, talented students are an inspiration. Pauline Harding learns how her teaching methods benefit both tutor and student
DENVER ADULT STRINGS CAMP Hattie Butterworth discovers how a post-pandemic project has given rise to a passionate community of amateur string players in Colorado and beyond
STRING TEACHERS’ DEVELOPMENT How can educators improve their tutoring skills? Peter Somerford looks at the options, from workshops to summer academies to ambassador programmes
LUTHERIE IN BERLIN Daniel Kogge looks at the history of violin making in the German capital, and how its development paralleled the area’s social and political fortunes
SESSION REPORT Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina talks to Charlotte Gardner about the challenge of taking on Bach’s Solo Cello Suites, and how she put her own stamp on them
SMALL VIOLAS Bas Maas and Francesco Piasentini report on a series of experiments aiming to find out whether diminutive violas could have as ‘big’ a sound as larger models
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF An innovative production of the classic 1964 musical is currently touring the UK. Violinist Raphael Papo, who plays the Fiddler, explains how he made the part his own
IN FOCUS A 1705 violin by G.B. Rogeri
TRADE SECRETS Lucile Sanders gives a guide to adding a marquetry inlay to an instrument
MY SPACE Wiebke Lüders of Voss, Norway
MAKING MATTERS Why the future of all bows made from pernambuco could be in jeopardy
MASTERCLASS Violinist Nancy Zhou gives her thoughts on playing Ysaÿe’s Rêve d’enfant
TECHNIQUE Tips for effective practice
LIFE LESSONS The memories and opinions of violinist and composer Aleksey Igudesman
OPINION Why perfectionism might not be the healthiest mindset for students
POSTCARD FROM MILAN A report from the 2025 Antonio Mormone International Prize
POSTCARD FROM PRAGUE The International Metelka Violin Making Competition 2025
FROM THE ARCHIVE From September 1895
SENTIMENTAL WORK Thomas Demenga on his love for Haydn’s Cello Concerto no.2
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