February-2020
January-2020
December-2019
Alberto Giordano and Rudolf Hopfner tell the fascinating story of the 1677 ‘Romanov’ Amati viola: once part of Russia’s Imperial Collection, the instrument displays features of both Nicolò and his son Girolamo II. We also take a look at the Royal Danish Orchestra’s fine instrument collection, and explore casting professional musicians in film and TV roles.
September-2019
August-2019
July-2019
May-2019
April-2019
February-2019
January-2019
December-2018
November-2018
October-2018
September-2018
August-2018
We talk to the Doric Quartet about bows and recordings, and get tips on making arrangements of non-classical works. Anne-Sophie Mutter tells us her Sentimental Work there’s a Beethoven Masterclass and we look back on Henryk Szeryng’s playing career. Plus, the fall and rise of violin making in Hungary.
July-2018
April-2018
March-2018
British soloist Lawrence Power talks about his adventures with the viola, and luthiers share their experiences of collaborative making.  There’s an insight into the psychology of teaching adult beginners, and we explore some of the 20th century’s most complex repertoire. Plus an in-depth look at a Domenico Busan viola.
February-2018
January-2018
November-2017
October-2017
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September-2017
August-2017
July-2017
The four members of the Chiaroscuro Quartet discuss their latest Haydn CD and we examine the 1708 ‘Dancla’ Stradivari violin. There’s an analysis of vibrato and a tribute to bow maker and author Bernard Millant, who died in April. Plus interviews with Jordi Savall, Paul Neubauer, Paul Katz and Maxim Rysanov among others.
June-2017
May-2017
Patricia Kopatchinskaja discusses her vision and inspiration, and we ask how young soloists prepare for their first concerto. Elena Rostropovich shares memories of her famous father and Ning Feng talks about his love for the Sibelius Concerto. Plus Degrees 2017–18 – your guide to courses for the next academic year.
April-2017
We report on the restoration of the 'Paravicini' Stradivari and Matthew McDonald, the Berlin Philharmonic's first principal bassist, discusses creative interpretation. Rostropovich is featured in our Great Cellists section, and Natalie Clein gives her thoughts on the Schubert Quintet. Plus Cremona 2017: our annual supplement on the Italian capital of violin making.
March-2017
February-2017
January-2017
We examine how today's composers are pushing the boundaries of the violin concerto form, and Sam Zygmuntowicz discusses the cutting edge of violin research. Augustin Hadelich completes his Tchaikovsky Masterclass and we talk to the Emerson Quartet, 40 years after its formation. Plus Lynn Harrell's Sentimental Work.
December-2016
Tasmin Little discusses her love for British composers and we examine the 1727 ‘Benvenuti’ Stradivari violin using high-resolution micro-CT scans. Sarah Chang talks about her love of Brahms and Augustin Hadelich gives a detailed guide to Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in Masterclass. Plus a collector’s guide to Bloch’s Schelomo
November-2016
October-2016
Violinist Julia Fischer and cellist Daniel Müller-Schott talk about the challenges of working as a duo; Kronos Quartet violinist David Harrington discusses the ensemble’s relationship with composer Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen; five string players in their twenties describe their experiences of building a performing career; and Paul Silverthorne gives fingerings and annotations for Brahms's Viola Sonata op.120 no.2.
September-2016
In this education-themed special issue, veteran violinist–violist Pinchas Zukerman talks about his life in string education; we take a look at the effectiveness of improvisation as a learning tool; lutherie schools divulge how they approach sound; and we explore the work of Dall'Aglio and Coppi, two Mantuan makers of the early 19th century.
August-2016
June-2016
What can the corners of Stradivari’s instruments tell us about the forms he used? Was Maud Powell the first virtuoso to favour a modern instrument? What are the best recordings of Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto? The Strad investigates all this and more in its June issue, also containing interviews with Antje Weithaas, Nils Mönkemeyer and Lionel Handy.
April-2016
Frank Peter Zimmermann graces the cover of our special German issue, with articles on the Klotz violin making dynasty and modern-day luthier Stefan-Peter Greiner. Auction house directors give their top tips on buying instruments at auction, and Augustin Hadelich discusses Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Plus, the favourite encores of Leonidas Kavakos, Hilary Hahn, Arabella Steinbacher
March-2016
We report on the 2015 VSA/Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop, where 60 luthiers collaborated on a brand new model of violin. James Ehnes gives a Masterclass on Beethoven’s ‘Spring’ Sonata and we examine two cellos by the lesser-known maker Antonio Casini. Plus interviews with David Geringas, Christian Poltéra, Lynn Harrell, Rosalind Ventris and many more.
February-2016
In a French-themed issue, cellist Gautier Capuçon discusses his series of masterclasses for postgraduates and we report on new research that casts light on luthier Nicolas Lupot’s career. Paul Childs gives an in-depth appraisal of a Dominique Peccatte bow and we examine Pierre Fournier’s playing style in Great Cellists. Plus Pierre Amoyal on Heifetz and Saint-Saëns.
January-2016
Leonidas Kavakos discusses the Sibelius Violin Concerto and we explore the life of Paganini’s protégé Camillo Sivori. There’s a close-up examination of a Balestrieri violin and Ray Chen gives a Mozart Masterclass. Plus Summerplus 2016 – your guide to courses for players, teachers and makers worldwide.
November-2015
In a North America-themed issue, we track the evolution of violin making in the US (with full-length photos of 10 instruments by American makers). We visit the elite Domaine Forget music camp in Canada, and examine the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Cremonese instruments. Plus articles by double bassists Edgar Meyer and Joel Quarrington, and our FREE 36-page Accessories 2015 supplement
October-2015
The members of the Pavel Haas Quartet discuss their love of Czech music, and we reconstruct Stradivari’s house and workshop from historical clues. Alban Gerhardt gives a Masterclass on Dvořák and Richard Tognetti reflects on performing Bach. Plus double bassist François Rabbath on improving finger dexterity.
July-2015
We speak to the current members of the Borodin Quartet, celebrating its 70th anniversary this month, and reveal new findings about Mantua luthier Tommaso Balestrieri. Cellist Alexander Baillie analyses Britten, Lawrence Wheeler gives hints on playing spiccato, and we examine a late Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ for In Focus..
May-2015
In a special edition to mark The Strad’s 125th anniversary, we look through the photo archives for some of the highlights of the past 13 decades. We examine how the dawn of recording influenced string playing, pay tribute to New York violinist David Nadien and examine possibly the world’s oldest cello: the Andrea Amati ‘King’.
March-2015
Nikolaj Znaider discusses how conducting informs his string playing, with further insights on the subject from Joshua Bell, Maxim Vengerov and Julian Rachlin among others. Instrument dealers explain how they help customers find their perfect instrument, and bassist Leon Bosch completes his analysis of Dittersdorf’s Second Double Bass Concerto. Plus violist Bruno Giuranna on tone production.
February-2015
Philippe Graffin is on the cover of a French-themed issue, with articles on bow maker Joseph Lafleur, lutherie in Mirecourt, and Jean-Jacques Kantorow on Tartini. Plus a new series on Great Cellists begins with Paul Tortelier, Raphael Wallfisch gives tips on playing Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, and what classical players can learn from playing alternative styles