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British Cello Society announces honorary board members
Obituary: violinist Natalia Boyarsky (1946–2025)
‘A salve for the soul’: Anne Akiko Meyers plays music by Eric Whitacre
Curtis appoints new viola performance faculty member
Lufthansa apologises to violinist Carolin Widmann following Guadagnini incident
Obituary: violinist Natalia Boyarsky (1946–2025)
The prominent pedagogue, who taught numerous renowned violinists, was 79
Lufthansa apologises to violinist Carolin Widmann following Guadagnini incident
The violinist shared on social media that she had filed three complaints with the airline and subsequently received several apologies
Instrument policy clash with gate staff leaves violinist holding two bare violins on BA flight
Aviapartner gate staff refused to let Bojan Čičić on to a recent British Airways flight with his double violin case, despite it being within the airline’s allowed dimensions
Playing Hub
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
Postcard from Munich: Hindemith International Viola Competition
Carlos María Solare reports from the wide-ranging and eventful second edition of the Hindemith International Viola Competition
Composing music for the 2026 Winter Olympics: Andrea Farri
The musical director for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony speaks about the guiding concept of ‘Armonia’ or harmony, plus how string act as connective tissue between tradition and modernity
The story of my Strad: violinist Charmian Gadd
From borrowed violins to a composite Strad with a storied past, the Australian violinist recounts the decades-long journey to find an instrument with a soul – and the lessons learnt along the way
‘Pur ti miro’: Martin Stegner on listening, balance and freedom
The Berliner Philharmoniker violist discusses reimagining early music for sheng, viola and double bass.
Not just the notes: the missing links in injury prevention for musicians
Hamed Erfani, Yasaman Seif and Hal Grossman outline strategies for musicians to keep their physical and mental wellbeing in check for optimum practice and performance
Premium ❘ Feature
Standing on great shoulders: the Lakatos dynasty
The Lakatos family has long been synonymous with Gypsy violin playing. Erika Nyerges looks at the key figures of this generations-old musical dynasty, meeting Sándor Déki Lakatos along the way and discovering what it takes to become a Roma musician
Premium ❘ Feature
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
Premium ❘ Feature
Standing on great shoulders: the Lakatos dynasty
The Lakatos family has long been synonymous with Gypsy violin playing. Erika Nyerges looks at the key figures of this generations-old musical dynasty, meeting Sándor Déki Lakatos along the way and discovering what it takes to become a Roma musician
Premium ❘ Focus
‘What we do is a miraculous connection to others’ - Peter Sheppard Skærved’s life lessons
The British violinist on a musician’s duty and the importance of community
Premium ❘ Focus
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
Competitions
Terra Quartet wins 2025 Naumburg Chamber Music Competition
The quartet wins $15,000, plus performance and recording opportunities
Results of the Seoul International Music Competition announced
Korean violinist Hyunjae Lim won first prize worth USD50,000
Violin finalists announced at 2025 Seoul International Music Competition
Six violinists will perform with orchestra in the final round on 10 December
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Tamar-kali’s new work for the Miró Quartet
Harlem Renaissance poetry takes centre stage in a new chamber work
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: January 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
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
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
Masterclass: Dvořák Romance in F minor op.11
Violinist Grace Park examines ways of creating nuance and variety in this seemingly simple piece, which is imbued with folk elements characteristic of Dvořák’s heritage
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
Terra Quartet wins 2025 Naumburg Chamber Music Competition
The quartet wins $15,000, plus performance and recording opportunities
Results of the Seoul International Music Competition announced
Korean violinist Hyunjae Lim won first prize worth USD50,000
Violin finalists announced at 2025 Seoul International Music Competition
Six violinists will perform with orchestra in the final round on 10 December
Video: Richard Tognetti performs at the top of Sydney Opera House
The artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra played Fratres by Arvo Pärt on the iconic building to celebrate 50 years since the ensemble’s first concert
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’
WATCH LIVE: Concours de Genève viola finals
A lasting relationship: the Ariel Quartet performs Beethoven op.59 no.3
A tribute to Mr Menuhin: an encore performance from Edinburgh International Festival
‘A vast expressive range’: violinist Stanislav Pronin performs Der Rosenkavalier on Heifetz’s violin
Anna Štube performs Ernest Kanitz’s Violin Sonata
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Making Matters: How to make a big-sounding viola for smaller players
Maj-Lisa Herzberg presents her innovative solution to the question of how to build a big-sounding viola for a small person
‘Create what you are called to create’: catching up with Anne Harris and Amanda Ewing on their commissioned collaboration
The Strad catches up with Anne Harris and Amanda Ewing on their player/luthier collaboration that resulted in the first instrument commission between two African American women
Obituary: violin maker Andrew Fairfax (1953–2025)
John Dilworth pays tribute to the British luthier, restorer and expert, who died on 9 December
The Strad Calendar 2026: 2019 Octobass
Standing 11 feet 8 inches tall, the instrument was built by luthier Jean-Jacques Pagès and is now played by Eric Chappell of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Japanese lutherie students to honour violin maker and mentor
Shinichi Izutsu, who enters his tenth decade next year, has run his own workshop since 1956
Making Matters: how to care for your bow hair
Musicians might not realise how important the quality and condition of their bow hair can be. Canisa Sie gives a guide to caring for this vital part of a string player’s arsenal
Making Matters: How to make a big-sounding viola for smaller players
Maj-Lisa Herzberg presents her innovative solution to the question of how to build a big-sounding viola for a small person
‘Create what you are called to create’: catching up with Anne Harris and Amanda Ewing on their commissioned collaboration
The Strad catches up with Anne Harris and Amanda Ewing on their player/luthier collaboration that resulted in the first instrument commission between two African American women
Obituary: violin maker Andrew Fairfax (1953–2025)
John Dilworth pays tribute to the British luthier, restorer and expert, who died on 9 December
The Strad Calendar 2026: 2019 Octobass
Standing 11 feet 8 inches tall, the instrument was built by luthier Jean-Jacques Pagès and is now played by Eric Chappell of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Japanese lutherie students to honour violin maker and mentor
Shinichi Izutsu, who enters his tenth decade next year, has run his own workshop since 1956
Making Matters: how to care for your bow hair
Musicians might not realise how important the quality and condition of their bow hair can be. Canisa Sie gives a guide to caring for this vital part of a string player’s arsenal
Concert review: Jeffrey Zeigler (cello)
Leah Hollingsworth ventures into the Green-Wood Cemetery Catacombs in New York for the performances of works by Paola Prestini on 1–3 October 2025
Concert review: New York Philharmonic Ensembles
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall on 30 September 2025
Concert review: Pinchas Zukerman (violin) Israel Philharmonic/Lahav Shani
Leah Hollingsworth visits Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, New York, on 15 October 2025 for the performance of Prokofiev, Ben-Haim and Tchaikovsky
Concert review: Midori (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Alexander Shelley
Charlotte Gardner attends the performance of Sibelius and Richard Strauss at London’s Cadogan Hall on 25 September 2025
Renée Chemet: Handel, Lalo, Tartini et al
A stylish French violinist is rediscovered
Schumann Quartet: Fauré, Martin, Ullmann
A fraternal quartet once again shows its versatility
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
Book review: Dynamite Strings
Alex Laing reads Georgina Leach’s books for beginner violinists, violists and cellists
Book review: Hungarian ‘Gypsy-Band’ Music in Vienna, 1850–1914: The Csárdás Craze
Robin Stowell reads Jon Banks’s history of the rise of Romani music in 19th-century Vienna
Debate
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
Opinion: Duets as a teaching tool
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell outlines the reasons why duet playing is an essential tool in one-to-one instrumental teaching
Debate
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
Opinion: Duets as a teaching tool
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell outlines the reasons why duet playing is an essential tool in one-to-one instrumental teaching
Accessories
Products January 2026: Pirastro Perpetual Stark A and E Double Bass Strings
Pirastro completes the Stark version of the Perpetual double bass range
Products January 2026: Gewa Wittner Float on Air System
A rest system designed for better sound and maximum adjustability
Products January 2026: Guardelli Sound Modulator
A new product to help eliminate wolf notes
Concert review: Jeffrey Zeigler (cello)
Leah Hollingsworth ventures into the Green-Wood Cemetery Catacombs in New York for the performances of works by Paola Prestini on 1–3 October 2025
Concert review: New York Philharmonic Ensembles
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall on 30 September 2025
Concert review: Pinchas Zukerman (violin) Israel Philharmonic/Lahav Shani
Leah Hollingsworth visits Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, New York, on 15 October 2025 for the performance of Prokofiev, Ben-Haim and Tchaikovsky
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
Book review: Dynamite Strings
Alex Laing reads Georgina Leach’s books for beginner violinists, violists and cellists
Book review: Hungarian ‘Gypsy-Band’ Music in Vienna, 1850–1914: The Csárdás Craze
Robin Stowell reads Jon Banks’s history of the rise of Romani music in 19th-century Vienna
Concert review: Midori (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Alexander Shelley
Charlotte Gardner attends the performance of Sibelius and Richard Strauss at London’s Cadogan Hall on 25 September 2025
Renée Chemet: Handel, Lalo, Tartini et al
A stylish French violinist is rediscovered
Schumann Quartet: Fauré, Martin, Ullmann
A fraternal quartet once again shows its versatility
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
The greatest storyteller: Itzhak Perlman at 80
As he turns 80, the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman speaks to Ariane Todes about everything from his stellar career to his teaching ethos, and his approach to social media stardom
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