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Join us at akustika 2026 between 24 and 26 April at Messe Nürnberg!
Meet The Strad team in Hall 7A, stand B08 and pick up a free copy of the April 2026 issue of the magazine.
Resonance String Quartet Fellowship launches with Balourdet Quartet as inaugural fellow
String winners feature at the 2026 BBC Music Magazine Awards
‘Tell them about your dream’: the Kronos Quartet on listening, legacy and Mahalia Jackson
Hugo Ticciati: Programmes for embodied listening
The sound of lamenting: strings in new sound worlds
Earth Day with ecofeminism: exploring nature-inspired works by women composers
In this Earth Day reflection, Darrian Lee examines musical repertoire by three living women composers, whose works intertwine environmental advocacy, womanhood, and contemporary classical music
New York exhibition to explore relationship between instruments and the body
Titled ‘Musical Bodies’, the event will showcase more than 130 exhibits including several stringed instruments
Alexander Aitken’s violin: the instrument that travelled from Gallipoli to the Somme
Benjamin Baker tells the story of mathematician and violinist Alexander Aitken, whose modest instrument accompanied him through the First World War and now inspires a new commission at AWE London ahead of Anzac Day, tracing memory, music and survival across a century
Playing Hub
‘Tell them about your dream’: the Kronos Quartet on listening, legacy and Mahalia Jackson
David Harrington of the Kronos Quartet speaks about the ensemble’s latest album honouring gospel legend and civil rights icon, Mahalia Jackson, as well as an upcoming multimedia world premiere exploring cultural histories, Three Bones
Hugo Ticciati: Programmes for embodied listening
Hugo Ticciati, director of O/Modernt, reflects on imaginative programming, genre‑crossing pairings and how music can be experienced as a physical, lived encounter as much as an intellectual one
The sound of lamenting: strings in new sound worlds
American cellist Seth Malone discusses how string instruments are being used in his father’s premiere of a completely unique work: The Lamentations of Jeremiah
Woven from Light: a listening guide to a world premiere work for violin and cello
Following the world premiere of Woven from Light by David Philip Hefti, cellist Gabriel Schwabe offers a listening guide to the new work, written for himself and violinist Hellen Weiss
‘A string quartet is like a family’: catching up with the Katarina Quartet
The ensemble reflects on its meteoric rise since becoming Juilliard graduate quartet in residence and receiving numerous accolades, ahead of an upcoming performance that includes a New York premiere and a Mendelssohn Octet collaboration with the Ulysses Quartet
Concert review: Del Sol Quartet and Nick Davies perform genre-bending work ‘Oh World, Goodnight’
Richard Linnett reports back from a performance by the Del Sol Quartet and Nick Davies at Chatter on 18 April, where fugal forms and Klezmer collided in a work by Derek David
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: the Tippett Quartet on recording Glazunov’s string quartets
Harry White speaks to members of the Tippett Quartet about recording the complete string quartets of Glazunov – works that trace the composer’s journey from youthful confidence to late retrospection
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1925 violin by Carlo Carletti
Leonardo Cella examines the early 20th-century instrument
Premium ❘ Feature
Session Report: the Tippett Quartet on recording Glazunov’s string quartets
Harry White speaks to members of the Tippett Quartet about recording the complete string quartets of Glazunov – works that trace the composer’s journey from youthful confidence to late retrospection
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Johannes Moser on Lutosławski’s Cello Concerto
For the German–Canadian cellist, the theatricality of Lutosławski’s Cello Concerto opened up a fascinating relationship between soloist and orchestra
Premium ❘ Focus
‘What you have to say is relevant to more people than you think’ - Tanja Becker Bender’s life lessons
The German violinist on connecting with audiences and staying true to your convictions
Competitions
Results announced for 6th Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition
Violinists from five different age categories were celebrated at the competition held from 6 to 12 April 2026
Winners announced for 2026 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition
The Dolphins Quartet receives $10,000 and performance engagement, as well as the audience prize
Results announced at the Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition
The Isla Quartet took home both the first prize and audience prize
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: May 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Bernd Richard Deutsch’s new saxophone quintet
Each movement channels a different emotion in this new saxophone quintet
Masterclass: Schubert Piano Trio no.2 in E flat major, first movement
David and Edgar Moreau dive into Schubert’s sound world, exploring colour, balance and the expressive detail that shapes their interpretation of this late work
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Schubert Piano Trio no.2 in E flat major, first movement
David and Edgar Moreau dive into Schubert’s sound world, exploring colour, balance and the expressive detail that shapes their interpretation of this late work
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
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
Results announced for 6th Hong Kong International Young Musicians Competition
Violinists from five different age categories were celebrated at the competition held from 6 to 12 April 2026
Winners announced for 2026 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition
The Dolphins Quartet receives $10,000 and performance engagement, as well as the audience prize
Results announced at the Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition
The Isla Quartet took home both the first prize and audience prize
Watch: a video performance from Timothy Ridout’s new album, Alto Appassionato
Ridout and pianist Jonathan Ware perform ’Les Berceaux’ from Three Songs, op.23: no.1, by Fauré
Watch: a video performance from Timothy Ridout’s new album, Alto Appassionato
Woven from Light: a listening guide to a world premiere work for violin and cello
Happy birthday Florence Price! Mount Vernon Virtuosi CelloGang performs String Quartet in G major
Guitar textures on the violin: Tomás Cotik performs Albéniz’s ‘Asturias’
‘Prokofiev in a mosh pit’ – ORBI’s arrangement of Muse’s Unsustainable
‘This piece has everything a violinist can ask for’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on the Elgar Violin Concerto
Video premiere: Édith Piaf’s ‘Hymne à l’amour’ for eight cellos performed by the SCS Cello Ensemble
Cellist John-Henry Crawford performs Ravel’s ‘Pavane pour une infante défunte’
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
The violin technique that shouldn’t exist: MinutePhysics explains Roman Kim’s harmonics technique
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In Focus: A 1925 violin by Carlo Carletti
Leonardo Cella examines the early 20th-century instrument
Bosnia’s first exhibition of stringed instruments announced
The event on 12 September will feature instruments by 18 luthiers, as well as a symposium and concert
New York exhibition to explore relationship between instruments and the body
Titled ‘Musical Bodies’, the event will showcase more than 130 exhibits including several stringed instruments
Obituary: violin maker Michael Jaumann (1966–2025)
The president of the Association of German Violin and Bow Makers was 59 years old
Why do some 18th-century French violins have an ebony border round the edges?
Inspired by a c.1760 Chappuy instrument, violinist and cellist Michel Lorge considers the reasons for an unusual stylistic quirk of 18th-century violin making
Rudolf Neudörfer: guardian of a lineage
The German bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer celebrates his 90th birthday next month. Gennady Filimonov looks back at his life and career, exploring the Neudörfer dynasty of makers and examining his bows
In Focus: A 1925 violin by Carlo Carletti
Leonardo Cella examines the early 20th-century instrument
Bosnia’s first exhibition of stringed instruments announced
The event on 12 September will feature instruments by 18 luthiers, as well as a symposium and concert
New York exhibition to explore relationship between instruments and the body
Titled ‘Musical Bodies’, the event will showcase more than 130 exhibits including several stringed instruments
Obituary: violin maker Michael Jaumann (1966–2025)
The president of the Association of German Violin and Bow Makers was 59 years old
Why do some 18th-century French violins have an ebony border round the edges?
Inspired by a c.1760 Chappuy instrument, violinist and cellist Michel Lorge considers the reasons for an unusual stylistic quirk of 18th-century violin making
Rudolf Neudörfer: guardian of a lineage
The German bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer celebrates his 90th birthday next month. Gennady Filimonov looks back at his life and career, exploring the Neudörfer dynasty of makers and examining his bows
Concert review: Jennifer Pike (violin) Czech Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Raiskin
Hattie Butterworth attends the performance of Janáček, Bruch, Shostakovich and Dvořák at London’s Cadogan Hall on 18 February 2026
Concert review: Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Karina Canellakis
Edward Bhesania ventures to London’s Royal Festival Hall on 18 February 2026 for the performance of Tchaikovsky, Sibelius Previn and Beethoven
Concert review: James Ehnes (violin) Andrew Armstrong (piano)
Hattie Butterworth visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 16 February 2026 for the recital of Mozart, Elgar, Ravel, Wieniawski and Bazzini
The Strad Recommends: Leonkoro Quartet: Out of Vienna
Searing musicianship from a prize-winning quartet
The Strad Recommends: Stella Chen: Barber, Beethoven
An outstanding young artist comes of age
The Strad Recommends: Renaud Capuçon: Bach
A great violinist marks his 50th birthday in style
Book review: Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras
Arts consultant Mark Pemberton reads Samuel Cairnduff’s new publication on leadership in orchestral ensembles
Book review: Viva Casals! Sayings, stories and impressions of Pablo Casals
Tully Potter reads Julian Lloyd Webber’s tome collecting together the wit and wisdom of the iconic 20th-century cellist Pablo Casals
Book review: Concertmaster Leadership: A guide for violinists
Nathaniel Vallois reads Marjory Serrano-Coyer’s guide for aspiring concertmasters to get the best out of their section, from technique and style to diplomatic attributes
Debate
Opinion: Finding creativity in scales
Love them or hate them, scales are at the heart of string training. Violinist and teacher Mark Knight examines why, when approached correctly, they are the gateway to a world of expressive freedom
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
Debate
Opinion: Finding creativity in scales
Love them or hate them, scales are at the heart of string training. Violinist and teacher Mark Knight examines why, when approached correctly, they are the gateway to a world of expressive freedom
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
Accessories
Products May 2026: OldWood Italian Varnish Rosso Antico
A new varnish colour from OldWood
Products May 2026: Leatherwood Rosin Golden Ratio rosin
An anniversary rosin takes inspiration from the Golden Ratio
Products May 2026: Strappy Music violin and viola straps
The straps for both violin and viola help support the instrument’s weight
Concert review: Jennifer Pike (violin) Czech Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Raiskin
Hattie Butterworth attends the performance of Janáček, Bruch, Shostakovich and Dvořák at London’s Cadogan Hall on 18 February 2026
Concert review: Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Karina Canellakis
Edward Bhesania ventures to London’s Royal Festival Hall on 18 February 2026 for the performance of Tchaikovsky, Sibelius Previn and Beethoven
Concert review: James Ehnes (violin) Andrew Armstrong (piano)
Hattie Butterworth visits London’s Wigmore Hall on 16 February 2026 for the recital of Mozart, Elgar, Ravel, Wieniawski and Bazzini
Book review: Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras
Arts consultant Mark Pemberton reads Samuel Cairnduff’s new publication on leadership in orchestral ensembles
Book review: Viva Casals! Sayings, stories and impressions of Pablo Casals
Tully Potter reads Julian Lloyd Webber’s tome collecting together the wit and wisdom of the iconic 20th-century cellist Pablo Casals
Book review: Concertmaster Leadership: A guide for violinists
Nathaniel Vallois reads Marjory Serrano-Coyer’s guide for aspiring concertmasters to get the best out of their section, from technique and style to diplomatic attributes
The Strad Recommends: Leonkoro Quartet: Out of Vienna
Searing musicianship from a prize-winning quartet
The Strad Recommends: Stella Chen: Barber, Beethoven
An outstanding young artist comes of age
The Strad Recommends: Renaud Capuçon: Bach
A great violinist marks his 50th birthday in style
Artists
Yehudi Menuhin 110th anniversary: music with friends
To mark the 110th anniversary of Yehudi Menuhin’s birth on 22 April 1916, Tully Potter presents an overview of the great violinist’s numerous chamber music partnerships and their recordings
‘Never just the notes’: the musical and teaching legacy of Igor Ozim
The violinist and pedagogue Igor Ozim died on 23 March 2024. Two years on, Dijana Ihas writes about his legacy to commemorate a teacher whose seven‑decade career shaped generations of musicians through his analytical clarity, uncompromising discipline and deep commitment to musical expression
Nemanja Radulović: music in the moment
Charismatic Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulović chats to Charlotte Gardner about the importance of artistic freedom and musical friendships, and recording his latest album of music by Prokofiev
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