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Winners announced for the inaugural Ion Voicu International Violin Competition
How taking a break can make you a better musician
Violin used in Titanic film to fetch £60k at auction
Semi-finalists announced for 2025 Klein International String Competition
Finalists announced for the Ion Voicu International Violin Competition
Car crashes into Nashville violin shop
A speeding driver crossed traffic and smashed the sign of Williams Fine Violins on Friday 4 April
New York double bass dealership Kolstein Music sued by five different owners
Valuable instruments and bows taken on consignment by Kolstein Music of New York have ‘simply disappeared’
Gagliano cello denied onboard Transavia flight
The French cellist Astrig Siranossian was refused boarding for her instrument on a Paris-Berlin flight, despite booking a seat for it
Playing Hub
From Attic to album: Takács Quartet and Marc-André Hamelin shine light on Florence Price’s Piano Quintet
Takács Quartet violist Richard O’Neill talks about the ensemble’s latest release, a collaboration with Marc-André Hamelin that pairs piano quintets by Florence Price and Dvořák
Exploring the didactic works for two violins by Bartók and Berio
Violinists Maria Milstein and Mathieu van Bellen speak to The Strad about their new album, and how works commonly encountered by children can provide new challenges for adults
Session Report: the London Handel Players on recording Telemann’s ‘Paris’ Quartets
As part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations, the London Handel Players has recorded six of Telemann’s ‘Paris’ Quartets. Robin Stowell speaks to two of the ensemble’s members about bringing the dance elements in the music to life
‘Always be truthful and loyal to yourself’ - Maximilian Hornung’s life lessons
The German cellist on his varying influences and what it takes to be a musician
Until Between: a musical exploration of home, identity and language
Violinist Marie Schreer introduces a multi-disciplinary programme that examines themes of belonging, identity and mother tongue
Premium ❘ Feature
‘To my surprise I found it to be a splendid Strad’ - From the Archive: April 1925
In his recently published memoir, the Scottish instrument dealer David Laurie (1833–97) recalls finding a Stradivari cello in the attic of one of his friends, and obtaining it for a song
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1923 violin by Michael Dötsch
Rainer Michael Cocron examines an early 20th-century instrument by the German maker
Premium ❘ Feature
‘To my surprise I found it to be a splendid Strad’ - From the Archive: April 1925
In his recently published memoir, the Scottish instrument dealer David Laurie (1833–97) recalls finding a Stradivari cello in the attic of one of his friends, and obtaining it for a song
Premium ❘ Focus
Opinion: The importance of repetition in teaching
In the practice of teaching, the value and beauty of repetition must always be encouraged, says violinist and pioneering Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Germany: Heidelberg String Quartet Festival
Carlos María Solare joined the loyal audience at Heidelberg’s String Quartet Festival, which celebrated both its 20th anniversary and the upcoming 90th birthday of composer Helmut Lachenmann
Competitions
Winners announced for the inaugural Ion Voicu International Violin Competition
Japanese violinist Koshiro Takeuchi receives the first prize of €6,000
Semi-finalists announced for 2025 Klein International String Competition
Nine string players between ages 15 and 23 will take part in this year’s competition in San Francisco from 7 June
Finalists announced for the Ion Voicu International Violin Competition
Three violinists will perform in the final round on 12 April at Bucharest’s Grand Hall of the Romanian Athenaeum with the ‘George Enescu’ Philharmonic, conducted by Gabriel Bebeșelea
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Avner Dorman’s new double concerto for Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony
Bach and the Book of Ecclesiastes shape a new double violin concerto
Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto no.3 in B minor, first movement
Violinist Benjamin Beilman explores how to navigate the athletic virtuosity of a work that requires the soloist to have firm technical and musical command
Masterclass: Schumann Five Pieces in Folk Style op.102, first piece
Cellist Trey Lee shares how a particular painting in London’s National Gallery provided his inspiration for this movement, which can be seen as a metaphor for life
Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto no.3 in B minor, first movement
Violinist Benjamin Beilman explores how to navigate the athletic virtuosity of a work that requires the soloist to have firm technical and musical command
Masterclass: Schumann Five Pieces in Folk Style op.102, first piece
Cellist Trey Lee shares how a particular painting in London’s National Gallery provided his inspiration for this movement, which can be seen as a metaphor for life
Masterclass: Ravel Piano Trio, first movement
Keeping in mind Ravel’s orchestral sound palette is key to letting colour direct the myriad character and mood changes in this lilting movement, says cellist Carrie Bean Stute
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
Winners announced for the inaugural Ion Voicu International Violin Competition
Japanese violinist Koshiro Takeuchi receives the first prize of €6,000
Semi-finalists announced for 2025 Klein International String Competition
Nine string players between ages 15 and 23 will take part in this year’s competition in San Francisco from 7 June
Finalists announced for the Ion Voicu International Violin Competition
Three violinists will perform in the final round on 12 April at Bucharest’s Grand Hall of the Romanian Athenaeum with the ‘George Enescu’ Philharmonic, conducted by Gabriel Bebeșelea
Yevgeny Kutik performs Dvořák’s ‘Going Home’ for solo violin
Who needs the full symphony orchestra when you can play the whole thing on one violin?
Yevgeny Kutik performs Dvořák’s ‘Going Home’ for solo violin
‘More powerful and relevant than ever’ - violinist Charles Yang performs a moving encore
Anzû Quartet performs Ken Thomson’s ‘Uneasy’
New video: Abel Selaocoe performs Takamba
Violin x gaming: Esther Abrami performs music from Final Fantasy XV
Ariel Quartet performs Beethoven String Quartet op.18, no.5
New video: ‘Dear Mountains’ by Karen Ouzounian and Lembit Beecher
Bryan Cheng performs Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto no.1
Jack Liebeck and Alexander Sitkovetsky chat about Arnold’s double violin concerto
Cellist Philipp Schupelius performs an improv-inspired cadenza
- Previous
- Next
‘To my surprise I found it to be a splendid Strad’ - From the Archive: April 1925
In his recently published memoir, the Scottish instrument dealer David Laurie (1833–97) recalls finding a Stradivari cello in the attic of one of his friends, and obtaining it for a song
In Focus: A 1923 violin by Michael Dötsch
Rainer Michael Cocron examines an early 20th-century instrument by the German maker
Dual accomplishments: the makers of Markneukirchen
The workshops of Markneukirchen and its environs made thousands of violins per year – but many were crafted by true artisans. Bruce Babbitt explains how these violins became the basis for a new book and exhibition charting their evolution
Trade secrets: External crack repair using silk
Sharon Que provides an innovative solution to a common – and tricky – repair problem
My Space: Bernhard Ritschard’s Lübeck workshop
Take a look around the northern German shop
Making Matters: Making instruments with tulipwood
A case of mistaken identity left luthier Sibylle Ruppert with a batch of untested tulipwood – but a few experiments showed its high potential for instrument making
‘To my surprise I found it to be a splendid Strad’ - From the Archive: April 1925
In his recently published memoir, the Scottish instrument dealer David Laurie (1833–97) recalls finding a Stradivari cello in the attic of one of his friends, and obtaining it for a song
In Focus: A 1923 violin by Michael Dötsch
Rainer Michael Cocron examines an early 20th-century instrument by the German maker
Dual accomplishments: the makers of Markneukirchen
The workshops of Markneukirchen and its environs made thousands of violins per year – but many were crafted by true artisans. Bruce Babbitt explains how these violins became the basis for a new book and exhibition charting their evolution
Trade secrets: External crack repair using silk
Sharon Que provides an innovative solution to a common – and tricky – repair problem
My Space: Bernhard Ritschard’s Lübeck workshop
Take a look around the northern German shop
Making Matters: Making instruments with tulipwood
A case of mistaken identity left luthier Sibylle Ruppert with a batch of untested tulipwood – but a few experiments showed its high potential for instrument making
Concert review: Amihai Grosz (viola) Berlin Philharmonic/Tugan Sokhiev
Carlos Maria Solare hears the performance of Donghoon Shin’s Threadsuns, plus Lili Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps and Mahler’s First Symphony, at the Berlin Philharmonie on 10 January 2025
Concert review: Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, RIAS Chamber Choir/Vladimir Jurowski
Carlos María Solare attends a performance showcasing the ‘Violins of Hope’ collection at the Berlin Philharmonie on 27 January 2025
Concert review: Melissa White (violin) Pallavi Mahidhara (piano)
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Arvo Pärt, Amy Beach, Reena Esmail and William Grant Still at the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, on 14 January 2025
James Ehnes: Bach
A complete Bach traversal proves something of a mixed bag
Liza Ferschtman: Brahms, Suk
Familiar and unfamiliar combine in powerfully emotional performances
Lawrence Power, Alban Gerhardt: Brett Dean
A milestone set of live recordings does justice to a leading Australian
Book review: Bach Cello Suites BWV1007–1012
Jeffrey Solow reviews a new edition of the legendary suites edited by cellist Jonas Seeberg
Book review: Songs My Mother Never Taught Me
Nathaniel Vallois reviews violinist Nigel Kennedy’s first book of compositions
Book review: Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time
Janet Banks reads Mavis Himes’s account of taking up the cello as a beginner in her late sixties
Debate
Opinion: The importance of repetition in teaching
In the practice of teaching, the value and beauty of repetition must always be encouraged, says violinist and pioneering Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner
Opinion: Embracing diversity in string teaching
Having made the difficult journey from an unbending conservatoire education to a fulfilling career playing and teaching non-classical styles, French violinist Scott Tixier says it’s essential to embrace diversity in music education
Debate
Opinion: The importance of repetition in teaching
In the practice of teaching, the value and beauty of repetition must always be encouraged, says violinist and pioneering Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner
Opinion: Embracing diversity in string teaching
Having made the difficult journey from an unbending conservatoire education to a fulfilling career playing and teaching non-classical styles, French violinist Scott Tixier says it’s essential to embrace diversity in music education
Accessories
Products April 2025: Digitaize Strings Module
New technology that digitises a violin in real time
Products April 2025: Thomastik-Infeld rosin
A new rosin with an extra boost
Products April 2025: Negri Vulcano case
A new colourful range from Negri for violin, viola and cello
Concert review: Amihai Grosz (viola) Berlin Philharmonic/Tugan Sokhiev
Carlos Maria Solare hears the performance of Donghoon Shin’s Threadsuns, plus Lili Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps and Mahler’s First Symphony, at the Berlin Philharmonie on 10 January 2025
Concert review: Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, RIAS Chamber Choir/Vladimir Jurowski
Carlos María Solare attends a performance showcasing the ‘Violins of Hope’ collection at the Berlin Philharmonie on 27 January 2025
Concert review: Melissa White (violin) Pallavi Mahidhara (piano)
Bruce Hodges hears the performance of Arvo Pärt, Amy Beach, Reena Esmail and William Grant Still at the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, on 14 January 2025
Book review: Bach Cello Suites BWV1007–1012
Jeffrey Solow reviews a new edition of the legendary suites edited by cellist Jonas Seeberg
Book review: Songs My Mother Never Taught Me
Nathaniel Vallois reviews violinist Nigel Kennedy’s first book of compositions
Book review: Cello Notes: Music and the Urgency of Time
Janet Banks reads Mavis Himes’s account of taking up the cello as a beginner in her late sixties
James Ehnes: Bach
A complete Bach traversal proves something of a mixed bag
Liza Ferschtman: Brahms, Suk
Familiar and unfamiliar combine in powerfully emotional performances
Lawrence Power, Alban Gerhardt: Brett Dean
A milestone set of live recordings does justice to a leading Australian
Artists
Cellist Zara Nelsova: A sound from a dream
The Canadian-born cellist Zara Nelsova was a fierce advocate for the repertoire she loved and for four decades an inspirational teacher at the Juilliard School. Oskar Falta explores her life and remarkable career, and hears from some of the musicians who studied with her
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