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Takács Quartet announces retirement of founding cellist
András Fejér will be replaced by Mihai Marica, who will take up the role beginning 1 September 2026
Sheku Kanneh-Mason announces cancellation of concerts, due to injury
The cellist will not appear in concert for the rest of 2025 and hopes to return next year
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
Playing Hub
‘Lyrical, dignified, and deeply emotional’: Alexandra Tirsu on the violin concertos by Shostakovich and Hindemith
The violinist spoke to The Strad about recording the two works on her debut concerto album, both of which have accompanied her during defining moments of her life
A new sound takes shape: Leonard Fu on joining the Juilliard Quartet
As the Juilliard Quartet makes its New York debut in its new formation, newly appointed second violinist Leonard Fu reflects on tradition, renewal and shaping the ensemble’s evolving voice
Scrooge and strings: Noctifer Trio on performing Charles Dickens-inspired works
Ahead of a performance in London, cellist Lauren Wesley-Smith delves into how the trio expanded musical settings of the great author’s Christmas tales
Gathering around the hearth: inside the Miró Quartet’s new holiday album
Celebrating 30 years together, the Miró Quartet swaps concert halls for the fireside with Hearth, a collection of festive songs newly arranged by fifteen leading composers. Violist John Largess talks about collaboration, nostalgia and what togetherness means after three decades on the road
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
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
A master of his craft: Simone Fernando Sacconi
Born 130 years ago, Simone Fernando Sacconi was a brilliant violin maker and restorer, a respected teacher and, latterly, a celebrated author. Friends, colleagues and former students share their memories with Peter Somerford
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: artistry with the bow
British cellist Hannah Roberts explores the expressive possibilities of the right hand
Premium ❘ Feature
A master of his craft: Simone Fernando Sacconi
Born 130 years ago, Simone Fernando Sacconi was a brilliant violin maker and restorer, a respected teacher and, latterly, a celebrated author. Friends, colleagues and former students share their memories with Peter Somerford
Premium ❘ Focus
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
![[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
Competitions
Singapore’s National Piano & Violin Competition announces winners
The violin and piano competitions were held in four age categories
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
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
Singapore’s National Piano & Violin Competition announces winners
The violin and piano competitions were held in four age categories
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
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
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A master of his craft: Simone Fernando Sacconi
Born 130 years ago, Simone Fernando Sacconi was a brilliant violin maker and restorer, a respected teacher and, latterly, a celebrated author. Friends, colleagues and former students share their memories with Peter Somerford
My Space: Glyn Jones’s Bala workshop
The luthier presents his shop, located in North Wales
The Strad Calendar 2026: 1767 Nicolò Gagliano cello
Formerly owned by Roger Smith of the Gagliano Trio, this fine example of Gagliano’s work is now played by Thomas Mesa
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
A master of his craft: Simone Fernando Sacconi
Born 130 years ago, Simone Fernando Sacconi was a brilliant violin maker and restorer, a respected teacher and, latterly, a celebrated author. Friends, colleagues and former students share their memories with Peter Somerford
My Space: Glyn Jones’s Bala workshop
The luthier presents his shop, located in North Wales
The Strad Calendar 2026: 1767 Nicolò Gagliano cello
Formerly owned by Roger Smith of the Gagliano Trio, this fine example of Gagliano’s work is now played by Thomas Mesa
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
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
Renée Chemet: Handel, Lalo, Tartini et al
A stylish French violinist is rediscovered
Schumann Quartet: Fauré, Martin, Ullmann
A fraternal quartet once again shows its versatility
Belcea Quartet: Debussy, Szymanowski
Plenty of subtlety from a revered group in a refreshed line-up
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
Renée Chemet: Handel, Lalo, Tartini et al
A stylish French violinist is rediscovered
Schumann Quartet: Fauré, Martin, Ullmann
A fraternal quartet once again shows its versatility
Belcea Quartet: Debussy, Szymanowski
Plenty of subtlety from a revered group in a refreshed line-up
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
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