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Wigmore Hall announces new associate artists
Avery Fisher Career Grant recipients announced for 2026
Haslemere International String Competition announces 2026 winners
Man charged with theft of £150k violin from north London pub
‘This piece has everything a violinist can ask for’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on the Elgar Violin Concerto
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
The final 21 days: structuring psychological preparation before high-stakes performance
While it’s tempting to practise more in the lead up to an important event, it can actually do more harm than good! Instead, cellist Joanna Latała shares a 21-day framework for mental preparation that supports technical execution as well as artistic presence
‘Nearly dying has a brutal way of clarifying what actually matters in music’ - Jacob Shaw on his cancer journey
Four years on from his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Jacob Shaw, professor of cello at the Royal Northern College of Music, reflects on what the experience forced him to prioritise and the realities of returning to performing in an industry that forgets quickly. The journey is recounted in the upcoming ...
Playing Hub
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
‘This piece has everything a violinist can ask for’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on the Elgar Violin Concerto
Our April 2026 cover star speaks about the work in this exclusive video interview
‘Never just the notes’: the musical and teaching legacy of Igor Ozim
The violinist and pedagogue Igor Ozim died on 23 March 2024. Two years on, Dijana Ihas writes about his legacy to commemorate a teacher whose seven‑decade career shaped generations of musicians through his analytical clarity, uncompromising discipline and deep commitment to musical expression
The lost Elegy: Juliana Soltis on rediscovering Helen Crane’s forgotten cello work
Cellist Juliana Soltis recounts the century‑long disappearance and improbable rediscovery of Helen Crane’s An Elegy, a 1919 prize‑winning work lost in the depths of Library of Congress catalogues and revived through a cross‑institutional sleuthing effort worthy of its own mystery novel
Frank Peter Zimmermann: ‘Music that possesses you’
Frank Peter Zimmermann is one of the first German musicians to record Elgar’s emotionally charged Violin Concerto, in a new release with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He speaks with Thomas Eisner, a first violinist with the LPO, about bringing the work to life
Sacrilegious Games: TwoSet Violin brings playfulness and virtuosity to London’s Barbican
Lauren Wesley-Smith attends the social media stars’ sold-out performance at the Barbican Centre in London on 14 March
Premium ❘ Feature
Back to life: an 18th-century viola concerto rediscovered
When writer and music director Gerald Elias was looking for a work to include in a recent concert, he and violist Devan Maria Freebairn unearthed a rare viola concerto by 18th-century composer Markus Heinrich Graul. They explain how they prepared for its performance and first ever recording
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1695 viola by Christian Reichelt
Klaus Martius and Enrico Weller examine the Bohemian maker’s instrument
Premium ❘ Feature
Back to life: an 18th-century viola concerto rediscovered
When writer and music director Gerald Elias was looking for a work to include in a recent concert, he and violist Devan Maria Freebairn unearthed a rare viola concerto by 18th-century composer Markus Heinrich Graul. They explain how they prepared for its performance and first ever recording
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Mihaela Martin on the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
For the Romanian violinist and pedagogue, learning the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor was a formative experience, and one that all students should have the chance to enjoy
Premium ❘ Focus
‘The spirit of debate is extremely important in a quartet’ - Edward Dusinberre’s life lessons
The British violinist on developing your own voice and putting things in perspective
Competitions
Haslemere International String Competition announces 2026 winners
British violinist Sofia Demetriades wins £3,000 and a performance engagement with the English Chamber Orchestra
Violinist Keila Wakao wins the 2026 National Schadt String Competition
The US–Japanese violinist receives $12,000 and a performance engagement with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra
Winners announced for the 2026 Leipzig Bach Competition
German violinist Miha Zhu receives €20,000
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: April 2026
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Aziza Sadikova’s new concerto for two double basses
A new double concerto channels the emotions of war
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
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
Haslemere International String Competition announces 2026 winners
British violinist Sofia Demetriades wins £3,000 and a performance engagement with the English Chamber Orchestra
Violinist Keila Wakao wins the 2026 National Schadt String Competition
The US–Japanese violinist receives $12,000 and a performance engagement with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra
Winners announced for the 2026 Leipzig Bach Competition
German violinist Miha Zhu receives €20,000
‘This piece has everything a violinist can ask for’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on the Elgar Violin Concerto
Our April 2026 cover star speaks about the work in this exclusive video interview
‘This piece has everything a violinist can ask for’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on the Elgar Violin Concerto
Video premiere: Édith Piaf’s ‘Hymne à l’amour’ for eight cellos performed by the SCS Cello Ensemble
Cellist John-Henry Crawford performs Ravel’s ‘Pavane pour une infante défunte’
Michael Stephen Brown gives the viola the spotlight in a new work
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
- Previous
- Next
In Focus: A 1695 viola by Christian Reichelt
Klaus Martius and Enrico Weller examine the Bohemian maker’s instrument
‘A Strad can throw you off’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on his instruments and bows
Our April 2026 cover star discusses the tools of his trade
Inveterate innovator: Louis Noebe
Despite success in his own time, and a penchant for experimentation, German maker Louis Noebe is an almost forgotten figure in lutherie history. Clifford Hall examines his life and achievements
US school repair shops: close to home
In US public school music programmes, broken instruments can harm students’ learning and create stress for teachers. Rita Fernandes discovers the schools that are tackling the problem head on by offering free repairs via in-house repair shops
My Space: Nurgül Çomak’s Istanbul workshop
The Turkish maker presents her workshop in the cosmopolitan city
Making Matters: Smoke treatment in Stradivari's instruments
Did Stradivari apply a smoke treatment to his tonewood before starting an instrument? Joseph Nagyvary argues that he did, and examines how the process could benefit luthiers today
In Focus: A 1695 viola by Christian Reichelt
Klaus Martius and Enrico Weller examine the Bohemian maker’s instrument
‘A Strad can throw you off’: Frank Peter Zimmermann on his instruments and bows
Our April 2026 cover star discusses the tools of his trade
Inveterate innovator: Louis Noebe
Despite success in his own time, and a penchant for experimentation, German maker Louis Noebe is an almost forgotten figure in lutherie history. Clifford Hall examines his life and achievements
US school repair shops: close to home
In US public school music programmes, broken instruments can harm students’ learning and create stress for teachers. Rita Fernandes discovers the schools that are tackling the problem head on by offering free repairs via in-house repair shops
My Space: Nurgül Çomak’s Istanbul workshop
The Turkish maker presents her workshop in the cosmopolitan city
Making Matters: Smoke treatment in Stradivari's instruments
Did Stradivari apply a smoke treatment to his tonewood before starting an instrument? Joseph Nagyvary argues that he did, and examines how the process could benefit luthiers today
Concert review: Augustin Hadelich (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Barber, Adams and Mahler at Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 10 January 2026
Concert review: Yo-Yo Ma (cello) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 14 January 2026 for the performance of Dvořák, Skoryk, Akimenko and Mendelssohn
Concert review: Laura Samuel Memorial Concert
Hattie Butterworth attends the tribute to the respected violinist at London’s Wigmore Hall on 4 January 2026, featuring works by Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn and David Raksin
The Strad Recommends: Ébène Quartet, Belcea Quartet: Octets
Two A-lister quartets triumph in an unorthodox pairing
The Strad Recommends: Chiaroscuro Quartet: Beethoven
A stellar quartet breathes new life into mighty middle-period Beethoven
The Strad Recommends: Andreas Brantelid: English Cello Works
A memorable and highly personal take on the Elgar Concerto
Book review: The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival
Anne Inglis reviews Anne Sebba’s moving history of the all-female ensemble that performed in the notorious Nazi death camp
Book review: Bach: The Cello Suites
Janet Banks reads Edward Klorman’s analysis of the six legendary solo works for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book review: Hands, Wrists, Fingers: Creative Health for Musicians
Philippa Bunting reads Pedro de Alcantara’s volume on boosting health for the curious musician, including some novel arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises for string players
Debate
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Debate
Opinion: Why students should rehearse with musicians other than their teachers
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell highlights how valuable and insightful it can be for string students to rehearse with a musician outside of their teacher – especially a pianist
Opinion: why string players should pay attention to large muscle groups
Fleet fingers may be the ultimate goal for string players, but it’s the larger muscle groups that form the foundations of solid technique, says cellist Davina Shum
Accessories
Products April 2026: Jargar Eccentric violin and cello strings
The new set offers a more focused sound
Products April 2026: Dolfinos rosin
A new hypoallergenic rosin that creates less dust
Products April 2026: Schilbach digital calliper
The calliper measures 150mm and is corrosion-free
Concert review: Augustin Hadelich (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Barber, Adams and Mahler at Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 10 January 2026
Concert review: Yo-Yo Ma (cello) Philadelphia Orchestra/Dalia Stasevska
Bruce Hodges visits Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson Hall on 14 January 2026 for the performance of Dvořák, Skoryk, Akimenko and Mendelssohn
Concert review: Laura Samuel Memorial Concert
Hattie Butterworth attends the tribute to the respected violinist at London’s Wigmore Hall on 4 January 2026, featuring works by Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn and David Raksin
Book review: The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival
Anne Inglis reviews Anne Sebba’s moving history of the all-female ensemble that performed in the notorious Nazi death camp
Book review: Bach: The Cello Suites
Janet Banks reads Edward Klorman’s analysis of the six legendary solo works for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book review: Hands, Wrists, Fingers: Creative Health for Musicians
Philippa Bunting reads Pedro de Alcantara’s volume on boosting health for the curious musician, including some novel arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises for string players
The Strad Recommends: Ébène Quartet, Belcea Quartet: Octets
Two A-lister quartets triumph in an unorthodox pairing
The Strad Recommends: Chiaroscuro Quartet: Beethoven
A stellar quartet breathes new life into mighty middle-period Beethoven
The Strad Recommends: Andreas Brantelid: English Cello Works
A memorable and highly personal take on the Elgar Concerto
Artists
‘Never just the notes’: the musical and teaching legacy of Igor Ozim
The violinist and pedagogue Igor Ozim died on 23 March 2024. Two years on, Dijana Ihas writes about his legacy to commemorate a teacher whose seven‑decade career shaped generations of musicians through his analytical clarity, uncompromising discipline and deep commitment to musical expression
Nemanja Radulović: music in the moment
Charismatic Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulović chats to Charlotte Gardner about the importance of artistic freedom and musical friendships, and recording his latest album of music by Prokofiev
Beauty unbound by history: cellist Tommy Mesa explores the many voices of his 1767 Gagliano
Cellist Tommy Mesa’s historic Gagliano cello frames an eclectic programme spanning repertoire familiar and new.
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