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‘A second golden age’: cellist David Finckel on luthier Samuel Zygmuntowicz
Writing between languages: Scott Tixier’s new work for Hilary Hahn
Latin American Quartet to give final performance after 44 years
‘What if the route to control is through relinquishing it?’: language and imagination in violin performance
‘What if the route to control is through relinquishing it?’: language and imagination in violin performance
Brett Dean named the Berlin Philharmonic’s composer in residence
‘Hold on, do what you can!’: Peter Sheppard Skærved on Michael Hersch’s ‘Zwischen Leben und Tod’
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra appoints first principal cellist
Consistency is not about doing more
Has the €10 million 1719 ‘Lauterbach’ Stradivari been found?
A violin that may be the Nazi-looted instrument has been brought to attention following a performance by violinist Emmanuel Coppey in Colmar, France
Terrifying moment a million-dollar violin is knocked out of soloist’s hands
Violinist Elina Vähälä was performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto when the incident occurred
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
Michael Rabin: a brief flame
Michael Rabin, one of the most gifted violinists the US has ever produced, enjoyed a short but dazzling career before his untimely death at 35. To mark what would have been his 90th birthday this May, Jonathan Woolf examines Rabin’s legacy and his central place in the history of American ...
Tales of a cinema violinist - From the Archive: May 1926
An anonymous cinema violinist, used to performing alone with a pianist, rails against the vicissitudes of the cinema screen – speaking entirely from experience
‘The more Haydn you play, the better you’ll play everything’ - David Finckel’s life lessons
The US cellist talks about his inspirations and the power of sound
‘Hold on, do what you can!’: Peter Sheppard Skærved on Michael Hersch’s ‘Zwischen Leben und Tod’
British violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved, known for his wide-ranging repertoire and interdisciplinary work, discusses the challenges and rewards of recording Hersch’s monumental cycle engaging with the paintings and drawings of Peter Weiss
Consistency is not about doing more
Just because you are busy does not mean you are productive. Michael Brook explores how stepping back, setting boundaries and protecting attention can transform consistency and elevate musical performance
Beethoven reimagined: ‘The Kreutzer Project’ by Colin Jacobsen
Richard Linnett reports back from Santa Fe Pro Musica’s season finale on 3 May, featuring a varied programme including Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata and works inspired by it
Premium ❘ Feature
Michael Rabin: a brief flame
Michael Rabin, one of the most gifted violinists the US has ever produced, enjoyed a short but dazzling career before his untimely death at 35. To mark what would have been his 90th birthday this May, Jonathan Woolf examines Rabin’s legacy and his central place in the history of American ...
Premium ❘ Feature
Tales of a cinema violinist - From the Archive: May 1926
An anonymous cinema violinist, used to performing alone with a pianist, rails against the vicissitudes of the cinema screen – speaking entirely from experience
Premium ❘ Feature
Michael Rabin: a brief flame
Michael Rabin, one of the most gifted violinists the US has ever produced, enjoyed a short but dazzling career before his untimely death at 35. To mark what would have been his 90th birthday this May, Jonathan Woolf examines Rabin’s legacy and his central place in the history of American ...
Premium ❘ Focus
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
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from the Netherlands: String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam
Clare Varney reports from the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam, where an array of star performers and repertoire old and new proved that the genre is alive and well
Competitions
Guildhall School’s 2026 Music Gold Medal awarded to violinist Caroline Durham
The US violinist performed Bartók’s Violin Concerto no.2 in the final round
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
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
Guildhall School’s 2026 Music Gold Medal awarded to violinist Caroline Durham
The US violinist performed Bartók’s Violin Concerto no.2 in the final round
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
After hours at Guildhall Art Gallery: Vilde Frang and Lawrence Power perform ‘Capricci’
The work will feature in the upcoming multimedia concert event at the Barbican, Darkness Visible, curated by Power’s production company, Âme
After hours at Guildhall Art Gallery: Vilde Frang and Lawrence Power perform ‘Capricci’
Merging cello and voice: Nicolas Altstaedt and Anna-Lena Elbert perform ‘Ophelia’s Song’ by Shostakovich
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’
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Making Matters: A history of the ‘Il Cremonese’ Stradivari violin’s case
For more than half a century, one of the finest violin cases ever made has lain undisturbed in Cremona. Dimitri Musafia examines the history of the case built to house the 1715 ‘Il Cremonese’ Stradivari
Resurrection symphony: an 18th-century composite cello
The careful restoration of a composite cello identified merely as ‘possibly Italian’ proved a journey of discovery for Sally Gosling and the family team at Chapel Violins, UK
Sgarabotto and Ornati: lives in fragments
When Giuseppe Ornati and Pietro Sgarabotto donated the contents of their workshops to the Cremona School of Violin Making, they ensured an enduring legacy. Luca Baratto and Matteo Giovanetti tell the story and examine some of the treasures
Trade Secrets: Camouflaging a patch using a veneer
An innovative and intricate method for a taxing problem in restoration
My Space: Koichi Furukawa’s Osaka workshop
The maker presents his shop located in Japan’s second largest city
World record smashed: ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola sells for millions
The instrument has been bought for a price exceeding the amount paid for the ‘Baron Knoop’ Stradivari violin in 2025
Making Matters: A history of the ‘Il Cremonese’ Stradivari violin’s case
For more than half a century, one of the finest violin cases ever made has lain undisturbed in Cremona. Dimitri Musafia examines the history of the case built to house the 1715 ‘Il Cremonese’ Stradivari
Resurrection symphony: an 18th-century composite cello
The careful restoration of a composite cello identified merely as ‘possibly Italian’ proved a journey of discovery for Sally Gosling and the family team at Chapel Violins, UK
Sgarabotto and Ornati: lives in fragments
When Giuseppe Ornati and Pietro Sgarabotto donated the contents of their workshops to the Cremona School of Violin Making, they ensured an enduring legacy. Luca Baratto and Matteo Giovanetti tell the story and examine some of the treasures
Trade Secrets: Camouflaging a patch using a veneer
An innovative and intricate method for a taxing problem in restoration
My Space: Koichi Furukawa’s Osaka workshop
The maker presents his shop located in Japan’s second largest city
World record smashed: ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola sells for millions
The instrument has been bought for a price exceeding the amount paid for the ‘Baron Knoop’ Stradivari violin in 2025
Concert review: Australian Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
US correspondent Thomas May hears the Australian Chamber Orchestra on tour at Carnegie Hall, performing Schubert and the world premiere of Horizon by John Luther Adams on 22 April 2026
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
Steven Isserlis: 1851
A master cellist offers an unusual concept album
Tabea Zimmermann, Jean-Guihen Queyras: Brahms, Joachim, C. Schumann, R. Schumann
Plenty of mellow beauty in a thoughtful programme
Gaspard Trio: Haydn
Hugely characterful performances blow the dust off a Classical master
Book review: The Bromberg Collection of American Violins
Andrew Dipper reads through a comprehensive survey of more than 250 US instrument makers from the past 200 years
Book review: The Rolling Year: Listening to the Seasons with Vivaldi
Anne Inglis reads through Hannah French’s account of the composer’s ever-popular Four Seasons, which covers everything from birdsong to Cremonese violin making
Book review: Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras
Arts consultant Mark Pemberton reads Samuel Cairnduff’s new publication on leadership in orchestral ensembles
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: Australian Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
US correspondent Thomas May hears the Australian Chamber Orchestra on tour at Carnegie Hall, performing Schubert and the world premiere of Horizon by John Luther Adams on 22 April 2026
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
Book review: The Bromberg Collection of American Violins
Andrew Dipper reads through a comprehensive survey of more than 250 US instrument makers from the past 200 years
Book review: The Rolling Year: Listening to the Seasons with Vivaldi
Anne Inglis reads through Hannah French’s account of the composer’s ever-popular Four Seasons, which covers everything from birdsong to Cremonese violin making
Book review: Harmonising Cultural Leadership in Professional Orchestras
Arts consultant Mark Pemberton reads Samuel Cairnduff’s new publication on leadership in orchestral ensembles
Steven Isserlis: 1851
A master cellist offers an unusual concept album
Tabea Zimmermann, Jean-Guihen Queyras: Brahms, Joachim, C. Schumann, R. Schumann
Plenty of mellow beauty in a thoughtful programme
Gaspard Trio: Haydn
Hugely characterful performances blow the dust off a Classical master
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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