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August 2026
We talk to early music giant Jordi Savall and examine the evolution of French violins in the 18th century. There’s an interview with violist–composer Brett Dean and a look at how Bach’s genius as an organist informed his Cello Suites. Plus a Grieg Masterclass with Esther Yoo, and Alban Gerhardt’s Session Report.
Read more in The Strad
BUNDLE – In Focus 1, 2 & 3
The In Focus anthologies bring together many of the world’s most fascinating stringed instruments, with commentaries by top instrument experts.
The books feature exceptional high-quality photographs for every featured instrument and will provide inspiration for today’s makers and anyone who enjoys the beauty and variety of stringed instruments.
Don’t miss out!
20% off. Purchase all three of The Strad’s In Focus collection today, and save £24.
In Focus 3
This new collection of articles from The Strad’s long-running In Focus section brings together violins, violas, cellos and double basses by some of the greatest instrument makers in history. Instruments by famous luthiers such as Nicolò Amati and G.B. Guadagnini are featured alongside the work of less well-known names such as Domenico Degani and Joseph Marquès. Each article showcases the full-length front and back of each instrument along with close-ups and angled shots, as well as some comments on its form and construction, and a brief biography of the maker. In Focus 3 belongs on every violin maker’s shelf alongside the two previous collections.
Don't miss out! Purchase the first two In Focus collections along with this brand new third one today, and save £24 when you buy all three. Click here to purchase the In Focus 3-book bundle, saving 20%.
‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1742 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
The 1742 'Rovelli' can be considered a twin to the 'Alard' Guarneri from the same year. Named for the 19th-century Italian virtuoso Pietro Rovelli, it has most recently been the principal performing instrument of Liya Petrova.
'The "Rovelli" and the "Alard" were built on the same mould, covered with the same golden-brown oil-based varnish, and purfled with the same poplar strips. Their heads are much alike, as are their short corners, their channelled edges and their blackened rib mitres.' – Frédéric Chaudière in the July 2026 edition of The Strad.
***Don't miss our Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each (not all posters are available as a folded option or within the Tailored Bundle; check website for newly added lines). Watch a video of some of the selection here***
July 2026
We examine the 1742 ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin and look back at the life of the late quartet leader and pedagogue Günter Pichler. There’s a 95th birthday tribute to bassist François Rabbath and a Mozart Masterclass. Plus Life Lessons with Gary Hoffman and Liya Petrova’s Sentimental Work.
Read more in The Strad
Great Instruments Bundle – 1, 2 & 3
Great Instruments volumes 1, 2 and 3 include authoritative and beautifully illustrated articles which provide unique insights into some of the world's most celebrated stringed instruments. With high-quality photographs throughout, these books are a must for anyone interested in the history and development of beautiful stringed instruments. See the Description below for the full list of included instruments for each beautiful volume.
Great Instruments 3
This third volume in The Strad’s Great Instruments series brings together the finest scholarship, research and analysis by some of the world’s leading experts on stringed instruments. Among the highlights are a detailed look at the 1741 ‘Vieuxtemps’ violin by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, including an acoustic analysis by Joseph Curtin and an interview with its player, Anne Akiko Meyers. There’s also a rare examination of the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’, one of two Stradivari violins formerly owned by Pablo Sarasate, which rarely leaves its current home, the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid. And we examine some of the most extraordinary restoration jobs on fine instruments in history: the ‘Mara’ Stradivari cello, almost consigned to a watery grave, and the ‘Paravicini’ Stradivari, which took more than a year to restore to its former glory.
Full list of featured instruments
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Antonio Stradivari ‘Mara’ cello, 1711
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Antonio Stradivari ‘Cecil’ violin, 1724
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violin, 1732
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Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Paravicini’ violin, 1734
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Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume ‘Evangelists’ quartet, 1863
June 2026
We talk to Christian Tetzlaff as he marks his 60th birthday and explore the best venues for chamber music. There’s a look at the violoncello da spalla and an investigation into soundpost acoustics. Plus a Chausson Masterclass and interviews with Paul Huang and Laura van der Heijden.
Read more in The Strad
May 2026
We talk to the Chiaroscuro Quartet and examine how some of the world’s top orchestras achieve their own distinctive sound. There’s a look at the career of US violinist Michael Rabin and we examine a cello with elements of Testore, Busan and Pietro Guarneri. Plus a Schubert Masterclass and David Finckel’s Life Lessons.
Read more in The Strad
April 2026
Frank Peter Zimmermann talks about his latest Elgar album in a German-themed issue, featuring articles on violin maker Louis Noebe and bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer. Plus interviews with cellist Johannes Moser and violinist Tanja Becker-Bender, and a Masterclass on Bruch’s Violin Concerto.
Read more in The Strad
Nicolò Amati cello 1642 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
***Don't miss our Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of some of the selection here***
One of only seven surviving cellos by Nicolò Amati, this is one of the few Baroque cellos that has never been altered or cut down. Now played by British cellist Jamie Walton, it is a stunning instrument in an excellent state of preservation.
'This extraordinary instrument from 1642 is striking in every possible way: the sculpture of the full and powerful archings; the simple and elegant edges; the balance of the design of the f-holes; the elegance of the scroll cut; and the varnish, from which the observer’s eye cannot detach itself' - Alberto Giordano in the February 2026 issue of The Strad.
Masterclass Bundle Volumes 1 & 2: Violin Concertos & Violin Works
** SAVE £10 **
For the first time, you can now purchase our bestseller Masterclass Volume 1: Violin Concertos along with our brand new Masterclass Volume 2: Violin Works, together as a bundle. The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.
March 2026
We talk to Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulović and find out how a double bass was identified as a Pressenda for the first time ever. There’s a look at instrument repair shops for US schools, the annual Brandenburg violin workshops, and building confidence in adult learners. Plus Edward Dusinberre’s Life Lessons and a Beethoven Masterclass.
Read more in The Strad
February 2026
We examine an uncut 1642 cello by Nicolò Amati and talk to the members of the Isidore Quartet. There’s a look at preparing the ground coat pre-varnish and Benjamin Shute explores Paganini’s Fifth Caprice. Plus Orin O’Brien’s Sentimental Work and Life Lessons with Nicolas Altstaedt.
Read more in The Strad
January 2026
Stella Chen talks about her new album, and we explore the traditional music of Hungary. There’s a retrospective of the Paganini Quartet and violist Timothy Ridout tells us his Sentimental Work. Plus a Beethoven Masterclass and Alasdair Tait’s Life Lessons.
Read more in The Strad
The Strad Directory 2026
Updated and expanded for 2026, the latest edition of The Strad Directory is as indispensable as ever, remaining an essential and ever-popular resource for the string world. It provides you with everything you need to fulfil your stringed instrument needs.
If you would like your business or organisation to be included in The Strad's Directory online and in print, please complete the information here and we will be in touch.
The Strad Calendar 2026: The Canimex Collection
Violin Bundle – 4 Books
**Â SAVE OVER 25% **
For string players and teachers, The Strad's Masterclass and Technique sections are a treasure trove of knowledge, information and playing advice. Some of the world's best-known teachers and soloists have given their top tips on how to get the best out of your instrument, and perform some of the greatest works in the repertoire.
Masterclass Volume 2: Violin WorksÂ
The second volume in The Strad's best-selling Masterclass series brings together some of the greatest pieces ever written for the violin, along with commentary by many of the world's leading soloists. James Ehnes, Jennifer Koh, Philippe Graffin, Carolin Widmann, Daniel Hope and Arabella Steinbacher are among the artists passing on their hints and tips, as well as explaining their interpretations of works by Bach, Beethoven, Ravel, Tchaikovsky and many more. In addition, every artist has annotated the sheet music with their own bowings, fingerings and comments on the music – provided in association with G. Henle Verlag.
The Strad Magazine Archive – IV: 2000 to 2004
In response to reader requests, The Strad is offering customers the chance to purchase print magazines from its archives, while stocks last. A very limited number of copies are available. Once they are gone, they are gone! This could be your last chance to possess these magazines in hard copy.
These Pre-2005 issues are in good condition, with occasional damages consistent with their age. We will be gradually adding more issues, so if you can't find what you're looking for, do contact us at services@thestrad.com to ask.
Please note that these are unpackaged and the supplements or inserts that are indicated on the covers may not be included.
Click on the dropdown menu to find out whether we have the issue you require in stock.
These issues have recently been unearthed and are being made available in good condition. Please contact us if you require more information about the issue in which you are interested.
The Strad Binder
BUNDLE-The Best of Trade Secrets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
The Strad Calendar 2025: Canada Council for the Arts
Launched in 1985, the Canada Council’s Musical Instrument Bank celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. This year’s calendar showcases twelve of the finest instruments it regularly loans to Canadian players, including four by Antonio Stradivari and beautiful works by Montagnana, Tecchler, Pressenda, Vuillaume and two of the Gagliano family.
Great Instruments 2
In 2011 The Strad published a 92-page collection of articles on some of the finest violins, violas and cellos to grace its pages over the previous decade. As well as examinations of historic works such as the Amati 'King', thought to be the oldest cello in existence, and Stradivari's 1713 'Huberman' violin, now played by Joshua Bell, this new collection introduces articles on double basses by Rocca, Gofriller and Gasparo da Salò. With high-quality photographs throughout, this is a must for anyone interested in the history and development of beautiful stringed instruments.
Full list of featured instruments
- c.1550 Gasparo da Salò double bass
- Mid-16th century Andrea Amati ‘King’ cello
- 1686Â Francesco Rugeri violin
- 1710 Antonio Stradivari ‘Baron Rothschild, Gore-Booth’ cello
- 1713 Antonio Stradivari ‘Huberman’ violin
- c.1720Â Matteo Gofriller double bass
- 1726 Antonio Stradivari ‘Saveuse’ cello
- 1743 Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Brusilow’ violin
- 1767 José Contreras violin
- 1774 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini ‘Salabue’, ‘Berta’ violin
- c.1851Â Giuseppe Rocca double bass
- 1865Â Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume cello
