The Strad October 2021 issue is out now!

Janine Jansen: The Dutch violinist’s latest album features twelve different Stradivaris. She tells Pauline Harding how the recording - and related documentary - came about

Historical Varnishes: Balthazar Soulier, Stefan Zumbühl and Christophe Zindel present the first results of a project to find the composition of varnishes from historical instruments

Nupen and Du Pré: Film maker Christopher Nupen recalls his time with cellist Jacqueline du Pré, a unique meeting of minds that led to nine films and a lasting friendship

Session Report: Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Sol Gabetta tell Charlotte Gardner about their new album of duo works for violin and cello - and why the recording proved tricky

Tianjin Juilliard School: The US conservatoire’s Chinese campus recently opened its doors. Tom Stewart learns how it came about, as a natural progression for East-West partnerships

The Strad Calendar 2022: Hubert de Launay examines twelve treasures from the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation, one of the largest instrument collections in Europe

In our regular sections:

Violinist Julia Fischer discusses the third movement of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in this month’s Masterclass, while violinist-violist Mischa Galaganov shares tips on executing trills and embellishments in Technique. This issue’s Sentimental Work,chosen by violinist Tim Kliphuis, is Richard Strauss’s song Morgen!, while principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic Ludwig Quandt shares his memories and opinions in Life Lessons. This month’s Opinion features violinist Karen Gomyo discussing how the string players of yesteryear can be an inspiration for the next generation

Jordi Pinto takes an In Focus look at an 1847 violin by Agustí Altimira and My Space features Japanese luthier Yuji Kaneko. Maurizio Tadioli gives tips on decorating a copy of a historical violin in Trade Secrets, while Andreas Hampel and Andreas Hudelmayer examine the different types of ultraviolet light that can be used in lutherie in Making Matters.

We also bring you news of the latest products and auctions, plus our regular analysis and opinion columns, and comprehensive reviews of concerts, CDs and books. Simply go to the current issue to explore the full content listing. 

Plus, in your 108-page October digital edition:

• Compare and contrast the sounds of Janine Jansen’s Stradivaris, with clips from her latest album 
• More photos from Sol Gabetta and Patricia Kopatchinskaja’s album of duo repertoire, with clips of them playing Xenakis, Coll and Zbinden.
• In Focus: close-ups and angles of this month’s instrument, an 1847 violin by Agustí Altimira  
• Extra images of Jacqueline du Pré in performance and rehearsal from The Strad’s extensive photo archive
• A sneak preview of The Strad Calendar 2022, with more instruments from the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation collection: Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’, Pietro Guarneri of Venice, Giuseppe Antonio Rocca and Michele Angelo Bergonzi
• Reviews: more from Nicola Benedetti’s return to the London stage with the Aurora Orchestra at the Barbican
• And of course, clips from the three albums designated with that illustrious sobriquet ‘The Strad Recommends’

The digital magazine and print edition are on sale now, or subscribe to access the entire magazine online here.