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Violinist wins the 2025 Irving M. Klein International String Competition
Anne Akiko Meyers and the art of collaboration
Winners announced for the 2025 ISB Double Bass Competition
Berlin Philharmonic cellist Dietmar Schwalke retires after 31 years
The ‘Anti-Festival’ as a manifesto: festival director Peter Askim on the merits of integrity in the music business
‘My instrument is not luggage’: petition calls for clear rules for transporting musical instruments
Double bassist Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli is calling for unified rules over plane and train operators across the EU and UK, following numerous instances of instrument mistreatment
Eleven-year-old violinist wins 2025 Andrea Postacchini International Competition
French violinist Eloisa Marie Aubert was named the overall winner of the competition, prevailing over winners of three older age categories
‘This sacred art is under tremendous threat’: Guy Johnston on the Newark School of Violin Making
Cellist Guy Johnston recalls his experience interacting with Newark student Julius Hennicke in 2018, and why the school needs support in continuing its craft
Playing Hub
‘Bien chanté’: Violinist Cristian de Sá on Ravel’s Sonate op. Posthume
2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Ravel’s birth. Along with pianist Keigo Mukawa, the violinist Cristian de Sá presents a performance of Ravel’s Posthumous Sonata, plus historical and personal insights on the work
French connection: the Ispir brothers following in the footsteps of the Capuçons
The violin-cello sibling duo of Luka and Léo Ispir speak to The Strad about their lifelong collaboration and inspiration, culminating in a debut album thanks to the Fondation Gautier Capuçon
Sentimental Work: Baiba Skride on Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1
The Latvian violinist grew up with Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1, a work that allows a lot of freedom of expression – as her two recordings amply demonstrate
United Strings of Europe: how we got the rights to arrange Stravinsky
Julian Azkoul, artistic director of United Strings of Europe, outlines the journey to secure permission from the surviving Stravinsky family to create a string sextet arrangement of the ballet Apollon musagète
Sibelius Violin Concerto, then and now
Peter Manning examines the history of Sibelius’ monumental concerto and why the work still holds prominence in the 21st century
Play of light and shadow: The Chiaroscuro Quartet at 20
As the ensemble releases a new Haydn recording, the Chiaroscuro Quartet looks back on twenty years of daring contrasts and expressive clarity
Premium ❘ Feature
Patent pending: instrument innovations in the 18th century
The 18th century saw an explosion in creativity from inventors trying to find the ‘next big thing’ in stringed instrument innovation. Rachael Durkin examines some of the artefacts from the dawn of the industrial age
Premium ❘ Feature
My Space: Bruno Stefanini’s Bologna workshop
The maker presents his workshop in Bologna, where he has worked as a luthier for over 40 years
Premium ❘ Feature
Patent pending: instrument innovations in the 18th century
The 18th century saw an explosion in creativity from inventors trying to find the ‘next big thing’ in stringed instrument innovation. Rachael Durkin examines some of the artefacts from the dawn of the industrial age
Premium ❘ Focus
Postcard from Svalbard: Arctic Chamber Music Festival
The Arctic Chamber Music Festival takes place in the world’s most northerly town, Longyearbyen. Emma Baker travelled there to sample its unique atmosphere
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Curiosity is at the core of human nature’ - Roberto Díaz’s life lessons
The US–Chilean violist and director of the Curtis Institute of Music discusses the importance of technique and curiosity
Competitions
Results announced for 2025 International Society of Bassists Makers Competition
Double basses were judged on workmanship and tone, in addition to a blind, audience-voted sound-off event
Violinist wins the 2025 Irving M. Klein International String Competition
22-year-old violinist Julia Schilz receives the $5,000 grand prize and performance engagements
Winners announced for the 2025 ISB Double Bass Competition
Prizes were awarded across eight divisions for solo, jazz, and orchestral double bass
Premium ❘ News
Premiere of the Month: Jungyoon Wie’s new work for the Kronos Quartet
Flocks of birds offer inspiration for a new string work
Premium ❘ News
Competitions, Awards and Appointments: June 2025
The latest competition results, appointments and forthcoming contests
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major, first movement
Remembering that Mozart was an opera composer and understanding harmonies are the keys to bringing out the various characters in this work, says violinist Tobias Feldmann
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: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major, first movement
Remembering that Mozart was an opera composer and understanding harmonies are the keys to bringing out the various characters in this work, says violinist Tobias Feldmann
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
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
Results announced for 2025 International Society of Bassists Makers Competition
Double basses were judged on workmanship and tone, in addition to a blind, audience-voted sound-off event
Violinist wins the 2025 Irving M. Klein International String Competition
22-year-old violinist Julia Schilz receives the $5,000 grand prize and performance engagements
Winners announced for the 2025 ISB Double Bass Competition
Prizes were awarded across eight divisions for solo, jazz, and orchestral double bass
‘Bien chanté’: Violinist Cristian de Sá on Ravel’s Sonate op. Posthume
2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Ravel’s birth. Along with pianist Keigo Mukawa, the violinist Cristian de Sá presents a performance of Ravel’s Posthumous Sonata, plus historical and personal insights on the work
‘Bien chanté’: Violinist Cristian de Sá on Ravel’s Sonate op. Posthume
New video: cellist Juliette Herlin performs Debussy Rêverie
Perfectly poised pizzicato: Louise McMonagle performs ‘Salat Babilya’ for solo cello
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
- Previous
- Next
Patent pending: instrument innovations in the 18th century
The 18th century saw an explosion in creativity from inventors trying to find the ‘next big thing’ in stringed instrument innovation. Rachael Durkin examines some of the artefacts from the dawn of the industrial age
My Space: Bruno Stefanini’s Bologna workshop
The maker presents his workshop in Bologna, where he has worked as a luthier for over 40 years
In Focus: An 1859 violin by Gulbrand Enger
Jens Stenz takes a look at the Danish maker’s 19th-century instrument
Auction Report June 2025: Mysteries, masterpieces and memorabilia
Kevin MacDonald examines an eclectic array of lots at the London spring sales, where some fascinating curiosities found buyers
‘This sacred art is under tremendous threat’: Guy Johnston on the Newark School of Violin Making
Cellist Guy Johnston recalls his experience interacting with Newark student Julius Hennicke in 2018, and why the school needs support in continuing its craft
Bottesini’s bass makers: the Rossi family
The development of the double bass in 19th-century Milan owed a lot to the Rossi family. Thomas and George Martin investigate the lives of its members, and the innovations they brought to double bass design
Patent pending: instrument innovations in the 18th century
The 18th century saw an explosion in creativity from inventors trying to find the ‘next big thing’ in stringed instrument innovation. Rachael Durkin examines some of the artefacts from the dawn of the industrial age
My Space: Bruno Stefanini’s Bologna workshop
The maker presents his workshop in Bologna, where he has worked as a luthier for over 40 years
In Focus: An 1859 violin by Gulbrand Enger
Jens Stenz takes a look at the Danish maker’s 19th-century instrument
Auction Report June 2025: Mysteries, masterpieces and memorabilia
Kevin MacDonald examines an eclectic array of lots at the London spring sales, where some fascinating curiosities found buyers
‘This sacred art is under tremendous threat’: Guy Johnston on the Newark School of Violin Making
Cellist Guy Johnston recalls his experience interacting with Newark student Julius Hennicke in 2018, and why the school needs support in continuing its craft
Bottesini’s bass makers: the Rossi family
The development of the double bass in 19th-century Milan owed a lot to the Rossi family. Thomas and George Martin investigate the lives of its members, and the innovations they brought to double bass design
Concert review: Jack M Campbell (violin), Alexis Fletcher (dancer)
Pwyll ap Siôn reports back from the Turing-inspired concert Sounding Bombe: Enigma Project at Chester Cathedral on 27 May 2025
Concert review: Dover Quartet in Seattle
US correspondent Thomas May attends a concert by the Dover Quartet at Benaroya Hall on 25 May 2025
Concert review: Kristin Lee (violin) Michael Stephen Brown (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Kreisler, Bloch, Ives, Adams, Beach, Frolov, Ravel and Dvořák at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York, on 20 March 2025
Peter Sheppard Skærved, Kreutzer Quartet: Saxton
Committed performances celebrate a long-time musical friendship
Yo-Yo Ma: Shostakovich
An A-lister line-up proves a mixed bag on this anniversary celebration
Federico Guglielmo: Vivaldi Violin Concertos ‘Per Pisendel’
Affection and virtuosity combine to masterly effect
Book review: The Schubert Treatment: A Story of Music and Healing
Anne Inglis gives her thoughts on cellist Claire Oppert’s book detailing her experiences of how music can transform the lives of dementia patients and autistic children
Book review: Notes for Cellists: A Guide to the Repertoire
Lauren Wesley-Smith reads Miranda Wilson’s detailed guide to the cello repertoire
Book review: Violin in Action Baby: Preparatory Violin Course
Mathew Lee reads Kristina Mirkovic’s method for teaching very young children, a companion volume to her ‘Violin in Action’ series
Debate
Opinion: Intelligent approaches to the bow in orchestral playing
The default for many orchestral string players is to use as much bow as possible to achieve maximum projection. Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that a more thoughtful approach is necessary
Opinion: Becoming a ‘bowist’
Violinist and teacher Alun Thomas explains why, when working on our technique and expression, string players should focus much more attention to the right arm than we might at first imagine
Debate
Opinion: Intelligent approaches to the bow in orchestral playing
The default for many orchestral string players is to use as much bow as possible to achieve maximum projection. Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that a more thoughtful approach is necessary
Opinion: Becoming a ‘bowist’
Violinist and teacher Alun Thomas explains why, when working on our technique and expression, string players should focus much more attention to the right arm than we might at first imagine
Accessories
Products June 2025: Thorsson Luthier’s Marking Knife
The Thorsson blades help luthiers to sharpen quickly at a constant angle
Products June 2025: Xvive U9 wireless system
A new model of the wireless system has been released
Products June 2025: Warchal The Beast violin strings
Warchal releases its most powerful set yet
Concert review: Jack M Campbell (violin), Alexis Fletcher (dancer)
Pwyll ap Siôn reports back from the Turing-inspired concert Sounding Bombe: Enigma Project at Chester Cathedral on 27 May 2025
Concert review: Dover Quartet in Seattle
US correspondent Thomas May attends a concert by the Dover Quartet at Benaroya Hall on 25 May 2025
Concert review: Kristin Lee (violin) Michael Stephen Brown (piano)
Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Kreisler, Bloch, Ives, Adams, Beach, Frolov, Ravel and Dvořák at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York, on 20 March 2025
Book review: The Schubert Treatment: A Story of Music and Healing
Anne Inglis gives her thoughts on cellist Claire Oppert’s book detailing her experiences of how music can transform the lives of dementia patients and autistic children
Book review: Notes for Cellists: A Guide to the Repertoire
Lauren Wesley-Smith reads Miranda Wilson’s detailed guide to the cello repertoire
Book review: Violin in Action Baby: Preparatory Violin Course
Mathew Lee reads Kristina Mirkovic’s method for teaching very young children, a companion volume to her ‘Violin in Action’ series
Peter Sheppard Skærved, Kreutzer Quartet: Saxton
Committed performances celebrate a long-time musical friendship
Yo-Yo Ma: Shostakovich
An A-lister line-up proves a mixed bag on this anniversary celebration
Federico Guglielmo: Vivaldi Violin Concertos ‘Per Pisendel’
Affection and virtuosity combine to masterly effect
Artists
Music between friends: Sheku Kanneh-Mason on his new album, ‘Shostakovich & Britten’
The British cellist speaks to The Strad about his deeply personal new album, the influence of Rostropovich and the emotional extremes that keep him returning to this music.
Great violinists: Yehudi Menuhin
Julian Haylock examines the player whose openness and sincerity gave even lighter music a profound emotional resonance
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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