Violinist Carmine Lauri leaves the orchestra after nearly 30 years to return to his home country of Malta

CarmineLauri pc Amanda Hsu

Violinist Carmine Lauri © Amanda Hsu

Read more news stories here

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has said farewell to Carmine Lauri, a long-standing violinist and co-leader who joined the orchestra in 1997. Lauri leaves the orchestra to pursue his own musical projects in his home country of Malta.

Lauri became a member of the orchestra in 1997 and later became co-leader in 2001. His relationship with the ensemble extends back to September 1993, when he played his first concert with the LSO after finishing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music.

Lauri was also a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music and played a Stradivari violin, loaned by Anna Goldman FV, Chair endowed in loving memory of the conductor Yuri Ahronovitch by his wife, Tami.

Members of the LSO paid tribute to Lauri’s service. Roman Simovic, the LSO’s first violin and leader, said: ‘It was absolute joy and privilege to share the stand with Carmine for so many years. I’ve learnt a lot from him. Carmine’s experience in the orchestra and his knowledge of the repertoire is huge and without him I had no chance to survive for the first few years in the orchestra.’

Simovic recalled Lauri having to substitute for him numerous times when he was sick on tour or late to rehearsals, ’playing huge violin solos with ease and getting huge applause from the orchestra!

’His unique way of old fashion, incredible violin playing will be hugely missed.’

LSO first violinist Claire Parfitt described Lauri’s departure as ’a great loss both musically and socially,’ while LSO double bassist Patrick Laurence recalled Lauri’s playing containing ’great flair, commitment and virtuosity, and his beautiful solo playing is such a pleasure to listen to.’

Best of Technique

In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers. It’s packed full of exercises for students, plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing.

Masterclass

The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.

Calendars

The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025. This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures, including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana, Gagliano, Pressenda and David Tecchler.