US violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim performs ‘Hertabuise’ by US violist–composer Melia Watras, a work for violin and narrator, setting a poem by US poet Herbert Woodward Martin who performs as the narrator.

‘Hertabuise is part of my continued work with poet and friend Herbert Woodward Martin,’ wrote Watras. ‘I asked Herb if he was interested in a new collaboration, this time with him reading to a single violin, played by Michael Jinsoo Lim. Among the writings he sent, he highlighted Hertabuise. The African, which deeply moved me. In the end, I decided on two versions for Hertabuise: one with Herb’s exquisite words and one for violin alone’

Melia Watras’s album Play/Write is released worldwide on 23 February.

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

American collector David L. Fulton amassed one of the 20th century’s finest collections of stringed instruments. This year’s calendar pays tribute to some of these priceless treasures, including Yehudi Menuhin’s celebrated ‘Lord Wilton’ Guarneri, the Carlo Bergonzi once played by Fritz Kreisler, and four instruments by Antonio Stradivari.