August-2010
In a Spanish-themed issue, we talk to the Casals Quartet and celebrate the career of violinist Pablo de Sarasate. Ara Malikian presents a guide to flamenco violin and three experts give their perspectives on Spanish lutherie. Plus, an investigation into musicians’ use of beta-blockers – are they destroying string playing?
July-2010
John Dilworth gives a personal guide to identifying violins and Carlo Chiesa examines the spectacular 1736 ‘Cessole’, ‘Teja–Ferni’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’. We find out the best and worst airlines for travelling with instruments and bassist Gary Karr explains how to improve your technique by varying tempo. There’s also an interview with violinist Leila Josefowicz.
June-2010
Cellist Natalie Clein discusses Kodály, crossover and her musical ambitions, and we explore the treasures of Korea’s celebrated Chi-Mei collection. Levon Chilingirian talks about teaching in Venezuela, John Goldsby gives a Masterclass in jazz bass, and string stars analyse the fragile beauty of Schumann.
May-2010
In a special edition marking The Strad’s 120th anniversary, we look back at the origins of the magazine, profile Nicolò Paganini and trace the history of research using Stradivari’s ‘Betts’ violin. Plus, articles on top female soloists of yesteryear, Ruggiero Ricci’s tips on playing, and Ida Haendel on Bach’s Chaconne in D minor.
April-2010
The Artemis Quartet discuss Beethoven and the benefits of standing up to perform, and we examine how Rostropovich may have influenced Prokofiev. There’s a retrospective of Leonid Kogan’s career, and a Masterclass on Strauss’s Don Quixote. Plus, the results of a seven-year study into Stradivari’s varnish.
March-2010
We examine a tenor viola by Jacob Stainer that reveals his attention to detail and Italian influences. There are articles on violin concertos by Beethoven and Barber, interviews with Antoine Tamestit, Laurence Lesser and Nicholas Tzavaras, and Daniel Bernard Roumain gives tips on rock and hip-hop violin technique.
February-2010
We celebrate Ole Bull’s bicentenary by looking back at the Norwegian violinist’s career, and taking a detailed look at his famed ‘Del Gesù’. There’s a guide to buying tonewood, David Waterman discusses Schubert, and François Denis reveals the connections between violin arching and medieval architecture.
January-2010
December-2009
Violinist Gil Shaham explains his passion for Sarasate, we find out how the Nazis plundered priceless instruments and there’s a look back at the career of David Oistrakh. We also assess some recently rediscovered etudes by Otakar Sevcik. Plus, interviews with Donald and Alisa Weilerstein and maker Mads Hjorth.
November-2009
Hollywood’s unsung heroes come under the spotlight as we search out the string players on some of the movies’ greatest soundtracks. David Finckek talks about health matters, Leonidas Kavakos discusses Alban Berg and Jan Vogler and Mira Wang take part in Double Acts. Plus a report on the Credo Festival.
October-2009
September-2009
August-2009
July-2009
A 1717 Rogeri cello comes under the spotlight and we explore the career of violinist Henryk Szeryng. There’s a look at recordings of Bloch’s Schelomo, a c.1770 violin by Paolo Castello and an investigation into Hindemith’s relationship with the viola. Plus, Simon Fischer on how to ‘warm down’.
June-2009
Gary Karr gives tips on playing by touch alone, and Joseph Curtin begins a two-part exploration into the acoustic tones of Italian instruments. We examine the dazzling technique of Jascha Heifetz, explore unusual repertoire for quintet, and look back at the career of Szymon Goldberg, ‘the man who put Mozart on the map’.
May-2009
April-2009
March-2009
Yehudi Menuhin’s career comes under the spotlight and we report from the Eindhoven string competition. Steven Isserlis reveals his passion for Schumann, we hand on tips on buying an instrument and there’s a profile of the Sacconi Quartet. Plus, Peter Cropper discusses how to play Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata.
February-2009
We examine the 1715 ‘Titian’ Stradivari using the latest technological methods, celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth and investigate the history of the Cretan lyra. Plus, a report from the VSA Competition, advice on commissioning instruments and an interview with the Paris-based Calvet Quartet.
January-2009
Andrea Amati ‘King’ cello poster
Our posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
G.B. Guadagnini 1774 Salabue Berta Violin poster
Our posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
Pietro Giacomo Rogeri cello 1717 poster
Our posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
‘Viotti’ Antonio Stradivari violin 1709 poster
One of the top Stradivari violins in the world, the 1709 'Viotti' helped to establish the master's name – thanks to its illustrious owner. The powerful tone and brilliance of sound created by this exceptional combination of instrument and performer (G.B. Viotti) helped to create the Stradivari legend. Includes measurements
‘The whole instrument seems to have been designed to be light, to exploit the minimum mass of wood in the plates and ribs which could support a low but characteristically stiff arching. The arching is full and seems undistorted and extremely regular. The front is delicately worked with a reverse gradation of 2.5–3mm around the perimeter reducing to 2mm in the centre. Yet still the arching is firm, with no sign of collapse around the fs or excessive pressure from the soundpost.’ – John Dilworth in the March 2006 issue
Our posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.