Domenico Montagnana ‘Farina’ cello 1730 – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
Domenico Montagnana was possibly the greatest cello maker in history, and the 1730 'Farina' was made during the period when he was at the height of his powers. Unlike most Montagnana cellos, it has never been cut down and retains its original proportions. Now owned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the instrument has a very powerful sound with a wide array of colours. Previous owners have included May Mukle, one of the first successful female cello soloists.
'The abundant famous Venetian varnish is of a rich, dark red colour, with a fascinating array of textures and patinas. In the areas where the varnish has worn off, a beautiful golden amber ground is revealed. As with most uncut Montagnana cellos, the outline is wide in the upper bouts and corners, and deeply swept in at the C-bouts, with big, broad lower bouts.' - John Waddle and Steve Sirr in the July 2025 edition of The Strad.
'When making recordings, the sound engineer has to turn down my microphone because it sounds up to eight decibels louder than any other cello' - Ilya Finkelshteyn, principal cellist, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Find out how more than 30 luthiers collaborated to build a copy of the c.1730 ‘Farina’ in the November 2023 Strad magazine article, "COPYING A MONTAGNANA CELLO – Robin Aitchison reports from the annual Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop"
***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 the selection here***
***Product not included in any current discount offers***
Domenico Montagnana ‘Farina’ cello 1730 poster
Domenico Montagnana was possibly the greatest cello maker in history, and the 1730 'Farina' was made during the period when he was at the height of his powers. Unlike most Montagnana cellos, it has never been cut down and retains its original proportions. Now owned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the instrument has a very powerful sound with a wide array of colours. Previous owners have included May Mukle, one of the first successful female cello soloists.
'The abundant famous Venetian varnish is of a rich, dark red colour, with a fascinating array of textures and patinas. In the areas where the varnish has worn off, a beautiful golden amber ground is revealed. As with most uncut Montagnana cellos, the outline is wide in the upper bouts and corners, and deeply swept in at the C-bouts, with big, broad lower bouts.' - John Waddle and Steve Sirr in the July 2025 edition of The Strad.
'When making recordings, the sound engineer has to turn down my microphone because it sounds up to eight decibels louder than any other cello' - Ilya Finkelshteyn, principal cellist, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Find out how more than 30 luthiers collaborated to build a copy of the c.1730 ‘Farina’ in the November 2023 Strad magazine article, "COPYING A MONTAGNANA CELLO – Robin Aitchison reports from the annual Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop"
***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 the selection here***
July 2025
We examine the 1730 ‘Farina’ cello by Montagnana, and pay tribute to instrument expert Charles Beare, who died in April. There’s a look at adventurous US string quartets and an interview with British violinist–composer Adam Summerhayes. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass with Camden Shaw of the Dover Quartet.
Read more in The Strad
June 2025
We celebrate 50 years of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the 90th birthday of composer Terry Riley. There’s a look at 18th-century instrumental innovations, while Tanja Tetzlaff hands on her Life Lessons. Plus Baiba Skride’s Sentimental Work and our annual Accessories brochure.
Read more in The Strad
Masterclass Volume 2: Violin Works
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.
May 2025
US violinist Philippe Quint discusses his new album and we examine the 1732 ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ violin by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’. There’s a look at string trios and the life of George Enescu, and Alina Ibragimova reveals her Sentimental Work. Plus a Mozart Masterclass with Tobias Feldmann.
Read more in The Strad
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.
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
Montagnana c.1720–Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ c.1742 ‘Paderewski, Wendling’ violin – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
This is a unique instrument with a body by Montagnana and a top plate by Guarneri 'del Gesù'. Artists such as Vilde Frang, Isabelle Faust and Augustin Dumay have unanimously praised the violin's sound, recognising its unmistakably ‘del Gesù’ character, with dark basses, great projection and a particularly warm and open E string.
'The large Venetian model combined with the distinctive ‘del Gesù’ front arching, well-preserved thickness and f-holes, offers a particularly attractive and inspiring reference model.' - Balthazar Soulier in the January 2025 issue.
***Don't miss our NEW 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 the selection here***
Montagnana c.1720–Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ c.1742 ‘Paderewski, Wendling’ violin
This is a unique instrument with a body by Montagnana and a top plate by Guarneri 'del Gesù'. Artists such as Vilde Frang, Isabelle Faust and Augustin Dumay have unanimously praised the violin's sound, recognising its unmistakably ‘del Gesù’ character, with dark basses, great projection and a particularly warm and open E string.
'The large Venetian model combined with the distinctive ‘del Gesù’ front arching, well-preserved thickness and f-holes, offers a particularly attractive and inspiring reference model.' - Balthazar Soulier in the January 2025 issue.
***Don't miss our NEW 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 the selection here*** 
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.
Returned or Flawed Posters
We have a number of rolled posters that have been returned or have minor defects, which can be obtained at a massively discounted cost. These are ideal for students or makers who do not require pristine posters to work from. Although some posters are damaged, this is usually to the sides of the posters and not across the printed images.
These posters are limited. Please contact us directly if the poster you require is not on our list: services@thestradshop.com
For our Tailored Folded Poster Bundle, click here
Our rolled 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.
Great Instruments 2
***BACK IN STOCK!***
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
- 1686 Francesco Rugeri violin
- 1710 Antonio Stradivari ‘Baron Rothschild, Gore-Booth’ cello
- 1713 Antonio Stradivari ‘Huberman’ violin
- c.1720 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.1851 Giuseppe Rocca double bass
- 1865 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume cello
Great Instruments
Every generation of violin makers has sought to analyse and understand the classic forms, and, for the past 122 years, the violin world's leading experts have assessed the latest research into the finest instruments in the pages of The Strad. Great Instruments includes 15 authoritative and beautifully illustrated articles from the past ten years, which provide unique insights into some of the world's most celebrated stringed instruments.
Full list of featured instruments
- c.1566 Andrea Amati Violin
- c.1600 Brothers Amati Cello
- 1618 Henry Jaye Viol
- c.1650 Jacob Stainer Tenor viola
- 1709 Antonio Stradivari 'Viotti' violin
- 1715 Antonio Stradivari 'Titian' violin
- 1716 Antonio Stradivari 'Messiah' violin
- 1717 Domenico Montagnana Violin
- 1717 Pietro Giacomo Rogeri Cello
- 1721 Antonio Stradivari 'Kruse' violin
- 1735 Guarneri 'del Gesu' 'Plowden' violin
- 1736 Carlo Bergonzi Violin
- 1736 Guarneri 'del Gesu 'Cessole', 'Teja-Ferni'
- 1740 Domenico Montagnana Cello
- 1808 Niclas Lupot Violin
Masterclass Volume 1: Violin Concertos
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. Now, in association with publisher G. Henle Verlag, The Strad is releasing the best of its Masterclasses as a bespoke anthology series.
The Strad Magazine Archive – III: 2005 to 2009
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-2010 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 Magazine Archive – II: 2010 to 2014
The Strad Magazine Archive – I: 2015 to 2019
The Best of Trade Secrets 6
The April 2005 edition of The Strad saw the first in a new regular section: Trade Secrets, in which violin and bow makers would share the technical tips and tricks that they’d worked out for themselves and wanted to share with their peers. Almost two decades later, Trade Secrets is still a mainstay of the magazine, having featured over 200 fully illustrated parts of the making process penned by more than 140 makers around the world. This latest collection brings together 35 of the most recent articles, drawn from the magazine’s pages since the pandemic year of 2020.
Violin Bundle
** SAVE 20% **
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.
Cello Bundle
Carlo Bergonzi ‘Salabue, Martzy’ violin 1733 poster
This stunning instrument, still in immaculate condition, bears all the hallmarks of the luthier Carlo Bergonzi, who moved into Antonio Stradivari's workshop following the latter's death. The famed instrument collector Count Cozio di Salabue called it 'my largest and most beautiful Bergonzi'. It was later used as the principal performing instrument of Hungarian virtuoso Johanna Martzy (1924–79).
'The f-holes of the ‘Salabue, Martzy’ are bold and distinctive. In concept, they derive from a Stradivari model but the stems are more angled and the wings are broader' - Jason Price in the July 2024 edition of The Strad.
Our rolled 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.
***Don't miss our NEW 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 the selection here***
The Strad Digital Subscription
Included in your digital subscription:
- Dedicated sections for luthiers, players and teachers
- Every new monthly magazine as a digital edition
- Unlimited access to all premium online content, written by our editorial team and expert contributors
- Access to over 140 issues giving you a wealth of archived content
- Digital special supplements including Accessories, Degrees and String Courses
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