The Best of Technique
April 2025
We talk to violinist Arabella Steinbacher and investigate the work of Viennese luthier Franz Geissenhof and the makers of Markneukirchen. There’s a look at concert music written by film composers, and we ask top string players for the best advice they’ve ever had. Plus a Saint-Saëns Masterclass and Frank Peter Zimmermann’s Sentimental Work.
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Violin Virtuosos: From Paganini to the 21st Century by Henry Roth
Renowned critic Henry Roth brings his formidable knowledge and enthusiasm to bear on some of the greatest violinists in history. Paganini, Thibaud and Huberman rub shoulders with the likes of Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman in his comprehensive survey, which also provides an unusual history of the instrument itself. Paperback. 392pp.
California Classics Books; First Printing edition (March 1997)
BUNDLE – In Focus and In Focus 2
The In Focus anthologies brings together many of the world’s most fascinating stringed instruments, with commentaries by today’s top instrument experts.
Both books feature exceptional high-quality photographs for every featured instrument – front, back and scroll – and will provide inspiration for today’s makers and anyone who enjoys the beauty and variety of stringed instruments.
This bundle includes:
- In Focus (with new limited edition cover)
- In Focus 2
March 2025
We talk to Canadian virtuoso James Ehnes and pay tribute to the work of British bow maker James Tubbs. There’s a retrospective of Zara Nelsova’s career and a Masterclass on the first of Schumann’s Five Pieces in Folk Style. Plus Julia Fischer’s Life Lessons and Fabio Biondi’s Sentimental Work.
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February 2025
We talk to the members of the Attacca Quartet, while Nigel Kennedy discusses his latest foray into composition. There’s a look at the work of Polish luthier Ladislaus Baczyński and the bows of Charles Nicolas Bazin. Plus David Finckel’s views on teaching chamber music and Glenn Dicterow’s Sentimental Work.
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January 2025
We celebrate the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pré on what would have been her 80th birthday. There’s a look at tonewoods from South Africa, how to rectify wolf tones, and Daniel Hope reveals his Life Lessons. Plus Paul Huang gives a Masterclass on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
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December 2024
We examine the early years of lutherie in Venice and talk to Chinese violinist Ning Feng about his latest projects. There’s a look back at the life of violinist Ivan Mane Jarnović and a Schubert Masterclass with violist William Coleman of the Kuss Quartet. Plus Harriet Krijgh’s Sentimental Work.
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November 2024
We talk to US violinist Rachel Barton Pine and explore the world of string groups in the US military. There’s a retrospective of Leonid Kogan and a Saint-Saëns Masterclass with Max Baillie. Plus interviews with US cellists Alisa Weilerstein and Astrid Schween.
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October 2024
The current members of the Takács Quartet discuss the group’s 50th anniversary and we ask whether it’s possible to teach yourself the violin. French violinist Régis Pasquier shares some stories from his long career and we examine the career of luthier Amedeo Simonazzi. Plus interviews with Alexander Baillie, Matthew Barley and Alexander Sitkovetsky.
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September 2024
Ray Chen talks about his latest projects and we examine a unique Montagnana with a top by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’. There’s a look at the work of the Scandinavian Cello School, Suzuki around the world, and the centenary of the Curtis Institute. Plus Daniel Müller-Schott’s Life Lessons.
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August 2024
We talk to Baroque violinist Rachel Podger and examine a bow that might possibly have come from Stradivari’s workshop. There’s a focus on the new generation of double bass players and a look back at the career of cello pedagogue Christopher Bunting. Plus Tasmin Little’s Life Lessons and Simone Lamsma’s Sentimental Work.
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July 2024
We examine the 1733 ‘Salabue, Martzy’ violin by Carlo Bergonzi, and violinist Daniel Rowland reflects on his multifaceted career. There’s a look at the life of bassist Serge Koussevitzky and the results of an investigation into the bass-bar. Plus Sarah Chang’s Life Lessons and the first of a two-part Schubert Masterclass.
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Buy Carlo Bergonzi 'Salabue, Martzy' violin 1733 poster here
June 2024
Cellist Laura van der Heijden discusses her new album of concertos and we celebrate three decades of the Henschel Quartet. There’s a look at piano trios and a guide to good customer relations in a violin shop. Plus Jennifer Koh’s Life Lessons and our annual Accessories guide.
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Folded Poster Tailored Bundle
FOLDED VERSIONS
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
Antonio Stradivari ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ violin 1713 poster
Made during Antonio's Stradivari's so-called 'golden period', the 1713 'Boissier, Sarasate' is in an excellent state of preservation. Housed in the museum of the Madrid Royal Conservatoire, it has rarely been played since it was left to the music school by its last owner, the Spanish virtuoso Pablo Sarasate. This poster includes full outlines and measurements taken from a state-of-the-art 3D scan of the instrument.
'The surface retains a very good amount of varnish. It is remarkable that it has not been ‘protected’ with a layer of French polish, making it ever more outstanding and appreciated in today’s shop standards. The colour of the varnish is a light reddish-brown over Stradivari’s wonderful golden ground.' – Roberto Jardón Rico in the January 2024 issue of The StradOur 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***
Antonio Stradivari ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ Violin 1713 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
Made during Antonio's Stradivari's so-called 'golden period', the 1713 'Boissier, Sarasate' is in an excellent state of preservation. Housed in the museum of the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, it has rarely been played since it was left to the conservatoire by its last owner, the Spanish virtuoso Pablo Sarasate. This poster includes full outlines and measurements taken from a state-of-the-art 3D scan of the instrument.
'The surface retains a very good amount of varnish. It is remarkable that it has not been ‘protected’ with a layer of French polish, making it ever more outstanding and appreciated in today’s shop standards. The colour of the varnish is a light reddish-brown over Stradivari’s wonderful golden ground.' – Roberto Jardón Rico in the January 2024 issue of The Strad
***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 Calendar 2024: The Fulton Collection
American collector David L. Fulton amassed one of the 20th century’s finest collections of stringed instruments. This year’s calendar pays tribute to some of these priceless treasures, including Yehudi Menuhin’s celebrated ‘Lord Wilton’ Guarneri, the Carlo Bergonzi once played by Fritz Kreisler, and four instruments by Antonio Stradivari.
The Strad Directory 2024
‘De Munck’ Stradivari cello 1730 poster
This well-presented cello played by Emanuel Feuermann and Steven Isserlis is striking for the originality that created a new cello form. It is currently on loan to Danjulo Ishizaka. Includes full measurements.
'The marvellous "de Munck" is striking in the originality of its slender form. The dominant feature is the large centre bouts, which curve in as deeply as those of the larger B form and are in fact slightly longer' – John Dilworth in the June 2000 issue of The Strad
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.
***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***
Antonio Stradivari ‘King Carlos IV’ violin 1709 poster
The ‘King Carlos IV’ is one of the few instruments remaining from the collection of the Spanish king, who ruled from 1788 to 1808. Made during Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, it is one of the rare examples that is so well preserved that its sound is seldom matched by other violins of the era. The maple back has deep, wide flames descending slightly, which shimmer like water in the light. The scroll is incredibly round and bold, displaying an ultimate strength in making.
Florian Leonhard examines its history and present condition in The Strad magazine July 2023
Antonio Stradivari ‘King Carlos IV’ violin 1709 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
The ‘King Carlos IV’ is one of the few instruments remaining from the collection of the Spanish king, who ruled from 1788 to 1808. Made during Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, it is one of the rare examples that is so well preserved that its sound is seldom matched by other violins of the era. The maple back has deep, wide flames descending slightly, which shimmer like water in the light. The scroll is incredibly round and bold, displaying an ultimate strength in making.
Florian Leonhard examines its history and present condition in The Strad magazine July 2023
April 2024
We talk to superstar violinist Joshua Bell and report on an innovative ‘improvised’ concerto. There’s a look at the career of bow maker Richard Otto Gläsel and Elena Urioste reveals her Sentimental Work. Plus a Beethoven Masterclass courtesy of cellist Gary Hoffman.
Read more in The Strad
