Antonio Stradivari ‘Cecil’ violin 1724 poster
The 1724 'Cecil' is that rare thing: a genuine Stradivari violin that has gone virtually unreported for the past three centuries. It spent decades in the possession of an Italian family, which means it remains in an excellent state of preservation – the varnish is virtually unblemished and its sound quality is excellent. It was one of the instruments in the collection of Count Cozio di Salabue, and has also been examined and verified by Charles-Eugène Gand and Charles Beare. Despite coming from Stradivari's late period (he was 80 at the time), the hand of the master, rather than that of his sons, is identifiable all over the instrument. The poster includes full measurements, outlines of the back, scroll, f-holes, and front and back archings, as well as thickness maps and the rib heights.
'The varnish is the same deep, rich red–brown seen on great examples of the golden period like the 1721 ‘Lady Blunt’ and 1716 ‘Medici’. It is, apart from the repairs to the front, unadulterated by polish and other accretions that camouflage the texture of so many well-used and restored examples' – John Dilworth in the November 2018 issue of The Strad
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Nicolas Lupot violin 1808 poster
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Carlo Giuseppe Testore violin c.1703 poster
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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.
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.
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Lachmann Schwechter Guadagnini violin 1776 poster
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G.B. Rogeri violin 1704 poster
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Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andrea’ violin 1705 poster
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‘Muir-Mackenzie’ Stradivari violin 1694 poster
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The Strad Calendar 2026: The Canimex Collection
One of the most active foundations supporting the arts in Canada, Canimex has been running for 25 years. The 2026 Calendar showcases twelve of the finest instruments it regularly loans to players, including five by Antonio Stradivari, two by Guarneri 'del Gesù' and – a first for The Strad Calendar – a modern octobass.
***Pre-order shipping in September***
José Contreras violin 1767 poster
This splendid violin from the so-called ‘Classical Age’ of Spanish violin making might well have been commissioned for King Charles IV. José Contreras (c.1710–82) was one of the greatest luthiers of the era, sometimes referred to as ‘the Spanish Stradivari’. The influence of the Cremonese master can clearly be seen in this fine instrument.
‘The general form of the arching is rounded and slightly bulbous, especially in the middle of the upper and lower bouts. The f-holes are very Stradivarian in form, and generally widely cut and broadly spaced on the front. The lower wings are lightly fluted and the nicks are typically small’ – John Dilworth in the December 2013 issue of The Strad
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‘Kruse’ Stradivari violin 1721 poster
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‘Armingaud, Fernández Blanco’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1732 poster – FOLDED VERSION
An extraordinarily well-preserved violin from Guarneri's middle period, the 'Armingaud, Fernández Blanco' languished for decades untouched until its rediscovery in a Buenos Aires wardrobe. The quality of its varnish and workmanship are exceptional.
'The "Armingaud, Fernández Blanco" is so well preserved that we can learn a great deal about the maker from it' – Frédéric Chaudière in the November 2017 edition of The Strad.
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Violin Bundle – 4 Books
** 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.
Violin Bundle – Violin Works
*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.
Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Plowden’ violin 1735 poster
One of the finest and most acclaimed ‘del Gesù’ instruments in existence, the ‘Plowden’ is striking in its vivid freshness and particularly notable for the intense orange–red varnish on its stunning one-piece back. Includes scans and measurements.
'The ‘Plowden’ gives an outsize impression that defies its rather petite dimensions. Several factors combine to create this effect: the very broad-flamed maple back, the substantial thickness of the purfling, the wide-grained top, back arching that quickly rises from the relatively shallow channel, the open f-holes and, above all, the plentiful red varnish that lies with an almost sculptural effect over the undulating flames of the back.’ – Sam Zygmuntowicz in the July 2011 issue of The Strad
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***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***
Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Brusilow’ violin 1743 poster
A superb violin from the last years of the maker's life, the 'Brusilow' is in an incredible state of preservation. Played for many years by Anshel Brusilow during his years as concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the instrument displays many of the idiosyncratic qualities that characterise the late period of 'del Gesù'. Includes scans and measurements.
'It has a kind of powerful three-dimensionailty that hits the eyes and makes the viewer want to touch it lightly in order to scan its unpredictable surface' – Alberto Giordano in the December 2015 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***
G.B. Guadagnini 1774 Salabue Berta Violin poster – Flawed
This poster has damage in the form of a small rip and a crumple, both on the sides, not affecting the images or measurements.
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G.B. Guadagnini 1774 Salabue Berta Violin poster
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‘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
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Basics by Simon Fischer
Basics is a collection of practice methods and exercises for violin and viola players of all standards, from concert soloists to students. Based on Simon Fischer's monthly series in The Strad, Basics makes it possible to work directly on any aspect of technique. Simon Fischer, performer and teacher, studied the violin in London with Yfrah Neaman and in New York with Dorothy DeLay.
Paperback. 231pp; illustrations.
An A-Z of Instrument Care by Jane Dorner (2nd Edition)
Matteo Gofriller violin 1700 poster
A classic example of the great Venetian's work: his own pattern with glorious varnish and individual wood selection. Includes measurements
'The violin's hollowed edge is characteristic and the purfling is swept across the corner in Stradivari fashion. The f-holes are typical of the Cremona-influenced Tyrolean makers – based on the Brothers Amati but wider and upright in stance. Over the wood Gofriller laid the most supple varnish, which often seems to have no substance at all but is steeped into the wood, turning it a deep burgundy colour. Beneath the dark patina there is a slight rose-madder tint to the red.' – John Dilworth in the December 2000 issue of The Strad
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