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The Strad Calendar 2025: 1820 Giovanni Francesco Pressenda violin
Violin Society of America’s 50th convention kicks off in Indianapolis
György Pauk, distinguished Hungarian violinist and pedagogue, has died
Violist Burton Fine has died, aged 94
Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers wins her first Latin Grammy Award
György Pauk, distinguished Hungarian violinist and pedagogue, has died
The Hungarian violinist was a much-loved and respected teacher as well as a soloist and chamber musician
Hilary Hahn withdraws from all concerts through November
Hilary Hahn has withdrawn from her US tour with the Berlin Philharmonic and all other engagements through the end of November
Juilliard School dismisses violin faculty professor Li Lin
The respected violin professor was dismissed on Friday 8 November following investigations into reported misconduct
Playing Hub
Stop falling into behaviour loops: the importance of teaching students how to practise
Violinist Hector Scott shares how bad practice habits can create the illusion of progress, and offers solutions to break the cycle
Kristin Lee: ‘Violin gave me an identity that wasn’t established through the colour of my skin’
The violinist speaks about how her experiences as a foreign-born citizen of the US laid the groundwork for her new album American Sketches, which features diverse repertoire from the country she now calls home
An unforgotten talent: 100 years of violinist Leonid Kogan
The matchless Soviet violinist Leonid Kogan was born 100 years ago on 14 November 1924. To mark the centenary, Tully Potter examines the life of ‘the greatest violinist’ he’s ever heard in concert
‘President Zelensky was only 20 feet away’: Exclusive photos and interviews with US military string players
The Strad’s staff writer Rita Fernandes shares exclusive interviews from her trip to Washington DC to meet string players in the US military
Sentimental Work: cellist Astrid Schween on Dvořák’s Waldesruhe
For the American cellist, Dvořák’s Waldesruhe brings back fond memories of working with her early mentor, Jacqueline du Pré
‘Joachim was a revelation’ - From the archive: November 1894
Spanish violinist and conductor Enrique Fernández Arbós chats with Henry Saint-George about two of his most important tutors: Vieuxtemps and Joachim
Premium ❘ Feature
Merchants of Venice: Venetian lutherie
In the 16th century, the Republic of Venice was a hotbed of innovation for stringed instrument makers – and the members of the Linarol family were at the heart of the trade. Stefano Pio explores the archives to reveal their fascinating and often colourful lives and careers
Premium ❘ Feature
Violinist Ning Feng: Truth and substance
There is seemingly nothing the Chinese-born, Berlin‑based violinist Ning Feng can’t do, from dazzling Paganini interpretations to Bach to 20th‑century concertos. He talks to Michael White about his influences, his future plans and his desire to pass on his musical wisdom to the next generation
Premium ❘ Feature
Merchants of Venice: Venetian lutherie
In the 16th century, the Republic of Venice was a hotbed of innovation for stringed instrument makers – and the members of the Linarol family were at the heart of the trade. Stefano Pio explores the archives to reveal their fascinating and often colourful lives and careers
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Comparing yourself to others is counter-productive’ - Alisa Weilerstein’s life lessons
The US cellist on creating a balanced career and the influence of musical parents
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Switzerland: Gstaad Menuhin Festival
The Gstaad Menuhin Festival presented more than 60 concerts over six weeks in the Swiss Alps during the summer of 2024. Laurence Vittes sampled some of the best of its strings programming
Competitions
Winners announced at the Orpheus Swiss Chamber Music Competition
The Dora Piano Trio won CHF5,000 (£4,500), several concert and masterclass opportunities and the commissioning of a new work
Pablo Casals International Award for Young Cellists announces winners
Joint first prize went to Yo Kitamura and Arne Zeller following the final audition round on 16 November 2024
Prizes awarded at the Buchet International Cello Competition
Hosted by the Belgium Cello Society, the competition awarded prizes to three cellists, which includes an appearance at the upcoming Brussels Cello Festival
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: December 2024
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Mark Simpson’s new viola concerto for Timothy Ridout
A viola concerto full of struggle yet fearlessness
Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Havanaise op.83
Violinist Max Baillie gives smart and efficient practice tips to showcase a piece for violin and orchestra that juxtaposes lyricism with virtuosic passagework
Masterclass: Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on viola, first movement
Yuri Zhislin illustrates the importance of colour and harmony in a work renowned for its lyricism and technicality
Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Havanaise op.83
Violinist Max Baillie gives smart and efficient practice tips to showcase a piece for violin and orchestra that juxtaposes lyricism with virtuosic passagework
Masterclass: Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on viola, first movement
Yuri Zhislin illustrates the importance of colour and harmony in a work renowned for its lyricism and technicality
Masterclass: Mendelssohn String Quartet in F minor, first movement
Second violinist of the Aris Quartet Noémi Zipperling examines Mendelssohn’s emotionally charged movement, considered to be a requiem for his sister and, ultimately, himself
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 at the Orpheus Swiss Chamber Music Competition
The Dora Piano Trio won CHF5,000 (£4,500), several concert and masterclass opportunities and the commissioning of a new work
Pablo Casals International Award for Young Cellists announces winners
Joint first prize went to Yo Kitamura and Arne Zeller following the final audition round on 16 November 2024
Prizes awarded at the Buchet International Cello Competition
Hosted by the Belgium Cello Society, the competition awarded prizes to three cellists, which includes an appearance at the upcoming Brussels Cello Festival
Lera Auerbach’s ‘T’filah’ performed by violinist Christine Bernsted
Bernsted performs a solo work that she describes as having ‘complexity like a kaleidoscope’
Lera Auerbach’s ‘T’filah’ performed by violinist Christine Bernsted
Violinist Jack Liebeck and La Jolla SummerFest Chamber Orchestra perform The Lark Ascending
![Bottesini_Artwork[DIGITAL]](https://dnan0fzjxntrj.cloudfront.net/Pictures/270x180/6/8/9/36689_bottesini_artworkdigital_876468_crop.jpg)
A Mendelssohn-inspired double bass performance from James Oesi
Quartetto di Cremona musicians perform on Vueling flight
ARC Ensemble performs Frederick Block’s Piano Quintet
Video premiere: Lightning, heaven and Earth inspire India Gailey’s new cello concerto
‘Biting wit and playfulness’: violinist Dylan Ebrahimian performs Daria Semegen’s Music for Violin Solo
Vivere Quartet performs Hannah Havrylet’s ‘Expressions’
Davina Clarke plays Bach Sonata No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1016
Two violins are better than one: Candida Thompson, Simone Lamsma and Amsterdam Sinfonietta perform Bach
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- Next
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1820 Giovanni Francesco Pressenda violin
Possibly the first instrument ever made by Pressenda, it boasts a two-piece back of slightly burled quarter-cut maple
Violin Society of America’s 50th convention kicks off in Indianapolis
Exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations were all in evidence on the first day of proceedings
Merchants of Venice: Venetian lutherie
In the 16th century, the Republic of Venice was a hotbed of innovation for stringed instrument makers – and the members of the Linarol family were at the heart of the trade. Stefano Pio explores the archives to reveal their fascinating and often colourful lives and careers
Scotland’s oldest surviving cello to be heard in public for the first time since the 18th century
The 1756 cello by Robert Duncan, which once belonged to a fierce opponent of the slave trade, will take to the stage in a performance at the University of Aberdeen on 22 November
The Strad Calendar 2025: c.1696 ‘Bonjour’ Antonio Stradivari cello
A beautiful instrument with plentiful red–brown varnish, it has been played by Robert Cohen, Martin Lovett and others
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1747 ‘Palmason’ Gennaro Gagliano violin
Named for Canadian violinist Pearl Palmason, the violin has a back of one piece of maple with broad figure
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1820 Giovanni Francesco Pressenda violin
Possibly the first instrument ever made by Pressenda, it boasts a two-piece back of slightly burled quarter-cut maple
Violin Society of America’s 50th convention kicks off in Indianapolis
Exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations were all in evidence on the first day of proceedings
Merchants of Venice: Venetian lutherie
In the 16th century, the Republic of Venice was a hotbed of innovation for stringed instrument makers – and the members of the Linarol family were at the heart of the trade. Stefano Pio explores the archives to reveal their fascinating and often colourful lives and careers
Scotland’s oldest surviving cello to be heard in public for the first time since the 18th century
The 1756 cello by Robert Duncan, which once belonged to a fierce opponent of the slave trade, will take to the stage in a performance at the University of Aberdeen on 22 November
The Strad Calendar 2025: c.1696 ‘Bonjour’ Antonio Stradivari cello
A beautiful instrument with plentiful red–brown varnish, it has been played by Robert Cohen, Martin Lovett and others
The Strad Calendar 2025: 1747 ‘Palmason’ Gennaro Gagliano violin
Named for Canadian violinist Pearl Palmason, the violin has a back of one piece of maple with broad figure
Festival review: Rosendal Festival
Harriet Smith finds that rain certainly didn’t stop play at Leif Ove Andsnes’s inspiring annual Norwegian gathering from 7–11 August 2024
Concert review: Ava Bahari (violin) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Andrew Mellor attends the performance of at Malmö Live Concert Hall in Sweden on 13 September 2024
Concert review: New York Philharmonic Ensembles
Leah Hollingsworth visits New York’s Merkin Concert Hall for the peformance of on 29 September 2024
Joshua Bell, Steven Isserlis: Mendelssohn
Darkness and drama aplenty from three master musicians
Juilliard Quartet: Schoenberg
A fitting 150th-birthday tribute to a musical visionary
James Ehnes: Sibelius
An evergreen concerto is compellingly reframed
Book review: Luigi Boccherini: Musica Amorosa
Robin Stowell reviews Babette Kaiserkern’s treatise on the Baroque composer’s life and works, translated into English for the first time
Book review: Expressive Violin Technique: How to Teach and Acquire It
Celia Cobb explores Bruce Douglas Berg’s method to help intermediate to advanced players and teachers ‘combine expression with technique’
Book review: Thumb Position
Caroline Emery reviews double bass tutor Charlotte Mohrs’s introduction to playing in thumb position, published in English for the first time
Debate
Opinion: Practising scales in sequential order
While most string players agree that scales and arpeggios are the basic building blocks for good technique, cellist Robert Jesselson says that it’s essential to practise them sequentially to gain the maximum benefit
Opinion: Avoid cheap instruments for beginners
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell urges parents not to buy their children cheap stringed instruments online – it’s a false economy and only leads to disappointment and waste
Debate
Opinion: Practising scales in sequential order
While most string players agree that scales and arpeggios are the basic building blocks for good technique, cellist Robert Jesselson says that it’s essential to practise them sequentially to gain the maximum benefit
Opinion: Avoid cheap instruments for beginners
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell urges parents not to buy their children cheap stringed instruments online – it’s a false economy and only leads to disappointment and waste
Accessories
Products December 2024: Larsen Aurora viola strings
Viola strings complete an affordable range
Products December 2024: Arcofrog Peled Bowpen
A new product to help with right hand technique
Products December 2024: Instru Mate instrument finder
A new product to help with finding your instrument
Festival review: Rosendal Festival
Harriet Smith finds that rain certainly didn’t stop play at Leif Ove Andsnes’s inspiring annual Norwegian gathering from 7–11 August 2024
Concert review: Ava Bahari (violin) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Andrew Mellor attends the performance of at Malmö Live Concert Hall in Sweden on 13 September 2024
Concert review: New York Philharmonic Ensembles
Leah Hollingsworth visits New York’s Merkin Concert Hall for the peformance of on 29 September 2024
Book review: Luigi Boccherini: Musica Amorosa
Robin Stowell reviews Babette Kaiserkern’s treatise on the Baroque composer’s life and works, translated into English for the first time
Book review: Expressive Violin Technique: How to Teach and Acquire It
Celia Cobb explores Bruce Douglas Berg’s method to help intermediate to advanced players and teachers ‘combine expression with technique’
Book review: Thumb Position
Caroline Emery reviews double bass tutor Charlotte Mohrs’s introduction to playing in thumb position, published in English for the first time
Joshua Bell, Steven Isserlis: Mendelssohn
Darkness and drama aplenty from three master musicians
Juilliard Quartet: Schoenberg
A fitting 150th-birthday tribute to a musical visionary
James Ehnes: Sibelius
An evergreen concerto is compellingly reframed
Artists
Violinist Ning Feng: Truth and substance
There is seemingly nothing the Chinese-born, Berlin‑based violinist Ning Feng can’t do, from dazzling Paganini interpretations to Bach to 20th‑century concertos. He talks to Michael White about his influences, his future plans and his desire to pass on his musical wisdom to the next generation
‘Not bad’ meant ‘Very, very good!’: what was Leonid Kogan like as a violin teacher?
The distinguished French violinist and quartet leader Isabelle Flory studied with Leonid Kogan at the Moscow Conservatoire for three years. She shares her memories of his teaching methods
Kristin Lee: ‘Violin gave me an identity that wasn’t established through the colour of my skin’
The violinist speaks about how her experiences as a foreign-born citizen of the US laid the groundwork for her new album American Sketches, which features diverse repertoire from the country she now calls home
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