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Violinist Sanam Pourbabaei killed in Iran protest
The violinist was 26 years old
Documentary by violinist Lara St. John to premiere at Santa Barbara Festival
Dear Lara, directed by the violinist, investigates her own and others’ experience of surviving sexual abuse within the classical music world
Winner of the 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition to receive Pablo Casals’ Gofriller cello
The loan of the historic instrument will honour the 75th anniversary of the competition, as well as the 150th anniversaries of the births of both Pablo Casals and Queen Elisabeth
Playing Hub
The Artemis Bass Initiative: championing equity for women and non-binary bassists
Nina DeCesare, Susan Cahill and Susan Hagen speak with The Strad about how the Artemis Bass Initiative is tackling gender disparities in the double bass world through mentorship, visibility, and professional development
From lockdown to lightsabre duels: R2ViolinCello on rebuilding epic film scores for just two instruments
Cellist Rowena Calvert of the husband-and-wife duo shares the background, motivation and technical challenges of arranging symphonic orchestral film scores for two stringed instruments, as the duo releases its new EP Mission Impossible
Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing: finding new colours and perspectives in Bach
The violinist reimagines Bach’s iconic works through fresh arrangements, personal storytelling and a vibrant palette of contemporary sound, in her new album Colors of Bach
Jupiter Quartet performs Ginastera’s String Quartet no.1
The ensemble performs a furious and volatile Vivacissimo in its first video performance with new violinist, Mélanie Clapiès
Finding my voice: Benedetti Ambassador Danya Rushton
Ahead of the Benedetti Foundation’s appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Appeal, violist Danya Rushton shares how the Foundation has helped her find her unique voice and identity through connection with music and like-minded musicians
Taking the next step: an interview with Trio Azura
The Strad speaks with members of the award-winning trio, which has been selected as Young Concert Artists’ first ensemble-in-residence
Premium ❘ Feature
Seven, they are seven: Nicolò Amati cello 1642
One of only seven known cellos by Nicolò Amati, this 1642 example is in an excellent state of preservation. Alberto Giordano examines its history and provenance, while Barthélemy Garnier discovers what its condition can tell us about the old Cremonese working methods, and Francesco Piasentini discusses CT-scanning the cello
Premium ❘ Feature
Promise and possibility: the Isidore Quartet
The Isidore Quartet players tell Pauline Harding about their sudden propulsion into professional string quartet playing, a beloved mentor whose loss has inspired their debut album, and their emotionally raw collaboration with the composer Billy Childs
Premium ❘ Feature
Seven, they are seven: Nicolò Amati cello 1642
One of only seven known cellos by Nicolò Amati, this 1642 example is in an excellent state of preservation. Alberto Giordano examines its history and provenance, while Barthélemy Garnier discovers what its condition can tell us about the old Cremonese working methods, and Francesco Piasentini discusses CT-scanning the cello
Premium ❘ Focus
Auction Report January 2026: Lights in the darkness
A brace of Gaglianos and a cavalcade of Sartory bows were among the highlights of London’s October sales, as Kevin MacDonald reports
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Competitions
Finalists announced for 2026 Sphinx Competition
The Junior and Senior division finalists will now compete in concerts on 23 and 24 January for more than $100,000 in prizes and future performance engagements
Singapore International Violin Competition 2026 preview: what to expect
30 violinists will compete for a prize pool totalling $110,000 at this year’s competition, taking place from 25 January to 7 February
Winners announced for 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
South Korean violinist Hyun Jae Lim receives the first prize of $30,000
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Jeffrey Mumford’s new double concerto
The movement of clouds inspired a densely layered work
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: February 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
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
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
Masterclass: Brahms Violin Concerto, second movement
The feeling of rhetoric and a stream of consciousness must be represented when approaching this movement, says violinist Liza Ferschtman
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
Finalists announced for 2026 Sphinx Competition
The Junior and Senior division finalists will now compete in concerts on 23 and 24 January for more than $100,000 in prizes and future performance engagements
Singapore International Violin Competition 2026 preview: what to expect
30 violinists will compete for a prize pool totalling $110,000 at this year’s competition, taking place from 25 January to 7 February
Winners announced for 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
South Korean violinist Hyun Jae Lim receives the first prize of $30,000
The violin technique that shouldn’t exist: MinutePhysics explains Roman Kim’s harmonics technique
Roman Kim reveals how a long‑forgotten idea led him to develop a harmonic technique once thought impossible, explored here with Daniel Kurganov and MinutePhysics
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
’Unapologetic passion: Delirium Musicum presents ‘Danse Macabre’
- Previous
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Seven, they are seven: Nicolò Amati cello 1642
One of only seven known cellos by Nicolò Amati, this 1642 example is in an excellent state of preservation. Alberto Giordano examines its history and provenance, while Barthélemy Garnier discovers what its condition can tell us about the old Cremonese working methods, and Francesco Piasentini discusses CT-scanning the cello
‘Never will I part with it as long as I live’: Paganini’s quartet of Strads
Tully Potter takes a closer look at the four Stradivari instruments formerly owned by Paganini, and later played by the Paganini Quartet
Bending the rules: arching constructions
How can luthiers create an instrument’s arching from scratch? Sebastian Gonzalez presents a possible solution to an age-old dilemma, using simple formulas and the latest technology
Discovering a Stradivari and Guarneri - From the archive: January 1896
John Tiplady Carrodus died in 1895. Violin dealer David Laurie recalls how he discovered a Stradivari and Guarneri that he sold to the renowned violinist
My Space: Jordan Lambert’s Tahiti workshop
The luthier presents his shop in ’Ātihā, Mo’orea
Auction Report January 2026: Lights in the darkness
A brace of Gaglianos and a cavalcade of Sartory bows were among the highlights of London’s October sales, as Kevin MacDonald reports
Seven, they are seven: Nicolò Amati cello 1642
One of only seven known cellos by Nicolò Amati, this 1642 example is in an excellent state of preservation. Alberto Giordano examines its history and provenance, while Barthélemy Garnier discovers what its condition can tell us about the old Cremonese working methods, and Francesco Piasentini discusses CT-scanning the cello
‘Never will I part with it as long as I live’: Paganini’s quartet of Strads
Tully Potter takes a closer look at the four Stradivari instruments formerly owned by Paganini, and later played by the Paganini Quartet
Bending the rules: arching constructions
How can luthiers create an instrument’s arching from scratch? Sebastian Gonzalez presents a possible solution to an age-old dilemma, using simple formulas and the latest technology
Discovering a Stradivari and Guarneri - From the archive: January 1896
John Tiplady Carrodus died in 1895. Violin dealer David Laurie recalls how he discovered a Stradivari and Guarneri that he sold to the renowned violinist
My Space: Jordan Lambert’s Tahiti workshop
The luthier presents his shop in ’Ātihā, Mo’orea
Auction Report January 2026: Lights in the darkness
A brace of Gaglianos and a cavalcade of Sartory bows were among the highlights of London’s October sales, as Kevin MacDonald reports
Concert review: Abeo Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mendelssohn, Reena Esmail and Brahms at the New School Auditorium, New York, NY, US, on 9 November 2025
Concert review: Sterling Elliott (cello) Sphinx Virtuosi
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Prokofiev, William Grant Still, Clarice Assad, Quenton Blache, Jessie Montgomery, José White Lafitte, Ginastera and Ponce at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 16 October 2025
Concert review: Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 25 October 2025 for the performance of Sibelius, Jennifer Higdon, Tchaikovsky and Josef Rheinberger
Christian Tetzlaff: Adès, Elgar
Contrasting concertos yield different results
Julius Berger, Hyun-Jung Berger: Asiago
A fitting celebration of a long-standing Italian festival
Teodoro Baù: Bach
Clarity is to the fore, though sometimes balance is off-kilter
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Book review: Trinity College London String Syllabus 2025
Philippa Bunting looks through the repertoire choices of the newly issued TCL strings books
Book review: The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World
Pauline Harding reads a picture book by James Howe and Jack Wong all about the renowned cellist’s life and career
Debate
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Opinion: How a performing career and teaching work hand in hand
Can performers sustain their own careers while also teaching students at a high level? Violinist Irina Rostomashvili believes it is not only possible, but essential
Debate
Opinion: Creating a musical environment
Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner considers the importance of preparing the environment for young learners, and why we should surround our children with music from the start
Accessories
Products February 2026: Fiedler Cases Carbonmetal cello endpins
A new endpin combines both carbon fibre and metal
Products February 2026: Alfredo Clemente Clementino shoulder rest
A foam shoulder rest made for freedom of movement
Products February 2026: OldWood string cleaner
A string cleaner to keep your instrument in good condition
Concert review: Abeo Quartet
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mendelssohn, Reena Esmail and Brahms at the New School Auditorium, New York, NY, US, on 9 November 2025
Concert review: Sterling Elliott (cello) Sphinx Virtuosi
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Prokofiev, William Grant Still, Clarice Assad, Quenton Blache, Jessie Montgomery, José White Lafitte, Ginastera and Ponce at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater on 16 October 2025
Concert review: Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 25 October 2025 for the performance of Sibelius, Jennifer Higdon, Tchaikovsky and Josef Rheinberger
Book review: Ray Brown: His Life and Music
Tully Potter reads Jay Sweet’s biography of the legendary jazz bassist (1926–2002)
Book review: Trinity College London String Syllabus 2025
Philippa Bunting looks through the repertoire choices of the newly issued TCL strings books
Book review: The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World
Pauline Harding reads a picture book by James Howe and Jack Wong all about the renowned cellist’s life and career
Christian Tetzlaff: Adès, Elgar
Contrasting concertos yield different results
Julius Berger, Hyun-Jung Berger: Asiago
A fitting celebration of a long-standing Italian festival
Teodoro Baù: Bach
Clarity is to the fore, though sometimes balance is off-kilter
Artists
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
A youthful spirit: violinist Johan Dalene
The young Swedish violin virtuoso Johan Dalene speaks to Jessica Duchen about his evolution as a musician, his passion for contemporary music and his latest album that pairs the Bruch and Mendelssohn concertos
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