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Taking the next step: an interview with Trio Azura
Documentary by violinist Lara St. John to premiere at Santa Barbara Festival
Royal Philharmonic Society announces 2026 Instrumental Prize winners
‘We wanted to share music that shaped us’: Esmé Quartet on a season of premieres, debuts and celebration
Finalists announced for the 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
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
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra drops legal threat in open letter addressing violinist’s NDA breach
Following public pressure, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has said in an open letter that it will not pursue legal action against violinist Esther Hwang, who broke a non‑disclosure agreement to speak publicly about an alleged sexual assault and the organisation’s response.
Will Smith sued by tour violinist for sexual harassment and wrongful termination
Brian King Joseph has sued Will Smith and Treyball Studios Management, alleging ‘predatory behaviour’ during the rapper’s 2025 tour
Playing Hub
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
Paganini Quartet: When the stars aligned
The Paganini Quartet was formed 80 years ago in Los Angeles, named after the four Stradivari instruments in its members’ charge. Tully Potter looks at the group’s dazzling but relatively short career
‘It always comes back to listening to others’ - Alasdair Tait’s life lessons
The Scottish cellist and chief executive of Young Classical Artists Trust on communication and creativity
‘We wanted to share music that shaped us’: Esmé Quartet on a season of premieres, debuts and celebration
From its residency with San Francisco Performances to a New York debut and a tenth anniversary concert in Seoul, the Esmé Quartet reflects on a year that blends Schubert, Mendelssohn and a world-premiere by Juri Seo
Amy Beach’s Romance op.23 for double bass and piano
With pianist John Solari, double bassist Jacob Warren performs his transcription of the piece originally written for violin and piano, and shares his thoughts on the process
Citizenship Notes: Brooklyn Rider at Santa Fe Pro Musica
Richard Linnett reports back from Brooklyn Rider’s performance on Sunday 11 January, with a programme that explored ’questions of citizenship and the demands of democracy’
Premium ❘ Feature
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
Premium ❘ Feature
Paganini Quartet: When the stars aligned
The Paganini Quartet was formed 80 years ago in Los Angeles, named after the four Stradivari instruments in its members’ charge. Tully Potter looks at the group’s dazzling but relatively short career
Premium ❘ Feature
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
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
Premium ❘ Focus
Sentimental Work: Timothy Ridout on Brahms’s Viola Sonata no.2
Learning Brahms’s Viola Sonata no.2 in E flat major was a revelation for the British violist – with the help of 17 different recordings from his teacher
Competitions
Finalists announced for the 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Four violinists will perform a concerto in the final round on 18 January
Semi-finalists announced for 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Eight violinists have been selected to compete in the semi-final round in Boca Raton, FL, US
Winners announced for the 22nd Khachaturian International Cello Competition
The €10,000 first prize was awarded to cellists Shuyu Li and Wanglele Wang
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: 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 the 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Four violinists will perform a concerto in the final round on 18 January
Semi-finalists announced for 2026 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Eight violinists have been selected to compete in the semi-final round in Boca Raton, FL, US
Winners announced for the 22nd Khachaturian International Cello Competition
The €10,000 first prize was awarded to cellists Shuyu Li and Wanglele Wang
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
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’
WATCH LIVE: Concours de Genève viola finals
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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
Trade Secrets: Extending the reach of metal F-clamps
Making wooden jaws for a lighter, safer long-reach clamping alternative
‘The closest thing to the human voice’: violinist Stella Chen on her Strads
Our January 2026 cover star discusses the Stradivari violins she has played throughout her career
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
Trade Secrets: Extending the reach of metal F-clamps
Making wooden jaws for a lighter, safer long-reach clamping alternative
‘The closest thing to the human voice’: violinist Stella Chen on her Strads
Our January 2026 cover star discusses the Stradivari violins she has played throughout her career
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
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
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
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: 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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