- News
- For Subscribers
- Student Hub
- Playing Hub
- Directory
- Lutherie
- Magazine
- Magazine archive
- Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or enthusiast, you'll find ideas and inspiration from leading artists, teachers and luthiers in our archive which features every issue published since January 2010 - available exclusively to subscribers. View the archive.
- Jobs
- Shop
- Podcast
- Contact us
- Subscribe
- School Subscription
- Competitions
- Reviews
- Debate
- Artists
- Accessories
Join us at the ASTA National Conference 2026 between 25 and 28 February at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square!
Meet The Strad team at stand 510 and pick up a free copy of the February 2026 issue of the magazine.
‘Struck by the instrument’s unique voice’: playing the Pressenda double bass
Oklahoma City Philharmonic appoints new concertmaster
Winners named for 2025 German Musical Instrument Fund competition
EU meeting tackles musicians’ air‑transport challenges
The road to a world premiere: notes from a composer and duo
Why practice doesn’t prepare musicians for performance
Violinist and educator Maggie Watson explores why performance feels so different from the practice room, revealing how perception, the nervous system and psychological skills shape what really happens under pressure, and how musicians can train for the stage as deliberately as they train their technique
Lufthansa Group changes hand luggage rules following negotiations with violinist Carolin Widmann
Under the new policy, added measurements will be taken into account to permit small instruments on board as hand luggage
‘An uncanny gift for helping people realise what music is about’: celebrating György Kurtág at 100
For the 100th anniversary of the monumental Hungarian composer, The Strad recounts his musical upbringing, most influential string works and shares words from leading string players about their experiences with the composer and his music
Playing Hub
The road to a world premiere: notes from a composer and duo
What do the first stages of a new work feel like to a composer and the performers? Ahead of its world premiere on 2 March in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, violinist Hellen Weiss, cellist Gabriel Schwabe and composer David Philip Hefti share their experiences behind the scenes of Aus Licht gewoben (‘Woven ...
Why practice doesn’t prepare musicians for performance
Violinist and educator Maggie Watson explores why performance feels so different from the practice room, revealing how perception, the nervous system and psychological skills shape what really happens under pressure, and how musicians can train for the stage as deliberately as they train their technique
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
Postcard from Geneva: Concours de Genève viola competition
At the 2025 Concours de Genève, which marked the viola’s return to the competition after two decades, Rita Fernandes discovered the unique artistic personalities of the new generation
‘An uncanny gift for helping people realise what music is about’: celebrating György Kurtág at 100
For the 100th anniversary of the monumental Hungarian composer, The Strad recounts his musical upbringing, most influential string works and shares words from leading string players about their experiences with the composer and his music
‘We interpret the music through a modern lens’: The Anzû Quartet on Messiaen’s ‘Quatuor’
To mark the release of their new recording of Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps, the Anzû Quartet considers how a fixed ensemble rooted in contemporary music approaches one of the chamber repertoire’s most singular works.
Premium ❘ Feature
Harness your superpower: self-efficacy for adult learners
Cellist and teacher Billy Tobenkin reveals how adult learners of stringed instruments can improve their sense of self‑efficacy, thus helping themselves to achieve their goals
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Integrating improvisation into your daily practice
Swedish violist Henrik Frendin on how to add the technique to your everyday playing
Premium ❘ Feature
Harness your superpower: self-efficacy for adult learners
Cellist and teacher Billy Tobenkin reveals how adult learners of stringed instruments can improve their sense of self‑efficacy, thus helping themselves to achieve their goals
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Orin O’Brien on Stravinsky’s ballet Orpheus
Playing the score for Stravinsky’s ballet Orpheus was a formative experience for the American double bassist in the years before she joined the New York Philharmonic
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Constant questioning makes life so beautiful’ - Nicolas Altstaedt’s life lessons
The German cellist on developing an intuitive understanding of music, and the importance of constant exploration
Competitions
Winners named for 2025 German Musical Instrument Fund competition
More than 30 young musicians received the loan of a valuable instrument from the foundation
Cello contestants announced for 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition
66 cellists will compete in the third cello edition of the competition, taking place in Brussels from 4 May 2026
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
A total of 20 violinists will proceed to the junior and senior finals
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Shelley Washington’s new cello concerto
A Metal-influenced cello concerto channels a range of emotions
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: March 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
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
Winners named for 2025 German Musical Instrument Fund competition
More than 30 young musicians received the loan of a valuable instrument from the foundation
Cello contestants announced for 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition
66 cellists will compete in the third cello edition of the competition, taking place in Brussels from 4 May 2026
Ysaÿe International Violin Competition announces 2026 finalists
A total of 20 violinists will proceed to the junior and senior finals
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
Paul Neubauer takes centre stage in Brown’s work The Viola from his Pas de Trois
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
Jupiter Quartet performs Ginastera’s String Quartet no.1
Amy Beach’s Romance op.23 for double bass and piano
Roman Kim: virtuosity, artistic freedom and how to find your voice
Bach in a new space: Francesca Dego performs the Chaconne
Video: Richard Tognetti performs at the top of Sydney Opera House
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
- Previous
- Next
Australian Chamber Orchestra acquires 1610 Maggini viola
The instrument will be played by ACO principal viola Stefanie Farrands
In Focus: A c.1880–90 viola by Enrico Marchetti
Sean Bishop examines the late-nineteenth-century instrument
‘Struck by the instrument’s unique voice’: playing the Pressenda double bass
Davide Botto, who acquired the Pressenda bass in 2017, describes the tone quality of the instrument
What violin does Nemanja Radulović play?
Luthier Francesco Coquoz shares thoughts on Radulović’s violin
Making history: Pressenda double bass
Until now, it was believed that the Turin-based luthier Giovanni Francesco Pressenda had never made a double bass. Tsutomu Miyasaka reveals how an instrument was recently identified that rewrote the story
Making Matters: an expert team varnishes a copy of the ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello
Mark Schnurr looks back at the process of varnishing a copy of the 1730 ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello at the 2024 Oberlin Violin Making Workshop
Australian Chamber Orchestra acquires 1610 Maggini viola
The instrument will be played by ACO principal viola Stefanie Farrands
In Focus: A c.1880–90 viola by Enrico Marchetti
Sean Bishop examines the late-nineteenth-century instrument
‘Struck by the instrument’s unique voice’: playing the Pressenda double bass
Davide Botto, who acquired the Pressenda bass in 2017, describes the tone quality of the instrument
What violin does Nemanja Radulović play?
Luthier Francesco Coquoz shares thoughts on Radulović’s violin
Making history: Pressenda double bass
Until now, it was believed that the Turin-based luthier Giovanni Francesco Pressenda had never made a double bass. Tsutomu Miyasaka reveals how an instrument was recently identified that rewrote the story
Making Matters: an expert team varnishes a copy of the ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello
Mark Schnurr looks back at the process of varnishing a copy of the 1730 ‘Farina’ Montagnana cello at the 2024 Oberlin Violin Making Workshop
Concert review: Nicolas Altstaedt (cello) Thomas Dunford (lute)
Bruce Hodges attends Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 20 November 2025 for the recital of Bach, Marais and Forqueray and Duparc
Concert review: María Dueñas (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges reports on the performance of Lalo, Terence Blanchard and Sibelius at Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia, PA, US, on 29 November 2025
Concert review: Juilliard Quartet, Catherine Cho (viola) Marcy Rosen (cello) Marc-André Hamelin (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth reports on the performance at New York’s Alice Tully Hall on 4 December 2025, while Bruce Hodges catches the recital at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 14 December
The Strad Recommends: Ning Feng: Brahms, Goldmark
An outstanding addition to a crowded arena
The Strad Recommends: Leila Josefowicz: Adès
A mesmerising new account of a recent violin concerto
The Strad Recommends: Tamsin Waley-Cohen: Reflection
A premiere recording is just one highlight on this thoughtful programme
Book review: Music’s Odyssey: An Invitation to Western Classical Music
Robin Stowell reads composer Robin Holloway’s colossal survey of the whole Western classical music tradition, replete with the author’s own reflections and opinions
Book review: How to Perform with 100% Accuracy and Spend Less Time Practicing
Celia Cobb reads Annelle K. Gregory’s book of advice to string players on how they can use their practice time most effectively and combat stage fright, among other things
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Debate
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Opinion: SongHa Choi on ‘aura’ in live performance
In an age of instant digital access to recorded music, violinist SongHa Choi still believes that nothing can compare to the experience of a live performance
Debate
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Opinion: SongHa Choi on ‘aura’ in live performance
In an age of instant digital access to recorded music, violinist SongHa Choi still believes that nothing can compare to the experience of a live performance
Accessories
Products March 2026: Pirastro KorfkerSpring chin rest
A new chin rest designed for flexibility and adjustability
Products March 2026: Swiss Wood Solutions Sonowood pegs
Four sustainable materials are available
Products March 2026: Thomastik-Infeld Rondo Gold viola strings
The range has now extended to include the viola
Concert review: Nicolas Altstaedt (cello) Thomas Dunford (lute)
Bruce Hodges attends Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 20 November 2025 for the recital of Bach, Marais and Forqueray and Duparc
Concert review: María Dueñas (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges reports on the performance of Lalo, Terence Blanchard and Sibelius at Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia, PA, US, on 29 November 2025
Concert review: Juilliard Quartet, Catherine Cho (viola) Marcy Rosen (cello) Marc-André Hamelin (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth reports on the performance at New York’s Alice Tully Hall on 4 December 2025, while Bruce Hodges catches the recital at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 14 December
Book review: Music’s Odyssey: An Invitation to Western Classical Music
Robin Stowell reads composer Robin Holloway’s colossal survey of the whole Western classical music tradition, replete with the author’s own reflections and opinions
Book review: How to Perform with 100% Accuracy and Spend Less Time Practicing
Celia Cobb reads Annelle K. Gregory’s book of advice to string players on how they can use their practice time most effectively and combat stage fright, among other things
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
The Strad Recommends: Ning Feng: Brahms, Goldmark
An outstanding addition to a crowded arena
The Strad Recommends: Leila Josefowicz: Adès
A mesmerising new account of a recent violin concerto
The Strad Recommends: Tamsin Waley-Cohen: Reflection
A premiere recording is just one highlight on this thoughtful programme
Artists
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
Beauty unbound by history: cellist Tommy Mesa explores the many voices of his 1767 Gagliano
Cellist Tommy Mesa’s historic Gagliano cello frames an eclectic programme spanning repertoire familiar and new.
Stella Chen: a bright future
The American violinist chats with Rebecca Franks about her philosophy of playing and teaching, studying at Harvard, her experience of winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition and her new album, which marks a fresh chapter in her career
Education Resources
-
-
The Strad Directory is the essential resource for the string music world, with over 2,300 listings providing information on string businesses across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Whether you are a string player searching for a new instrument or a business owner looking to reach your target audience, the Strad Directory remains the most comprehensive and user-friendly resource for the string music world.
Available from The Strad Shop
-
Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or an enthusiast, the Strad Shop is the number one source for books, CDs and back issues of the magazine. Products for sale include an exclusive range of instrument making posters, calendars and information products published by and directly for sale from The Strad.
- THE STRAD SHOP
Keep informed
