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 Best of Trade Secrets 5
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.
The Best of Trade Secrets
The Best of Trade Secrets 4
The Best of Trade Secrets 3
The Best of Trade Secrets 2
July 2023
We examine the 1709 ‘King Carlos IV’ Stradivari violin and chat to US fiddler Mark O’Connor. There’s a look at the early history of Brahms’s Violin Concerto and cellist Thomas Demenga gives a Debussy Masterclass. Plus our annual Accessories supplement.
Read the review in The Strad
November 2023
In a North American special, we talk to double bassist Joseph Conyers and look at the work of the Sphinx Organization. There’s a look at the immigration of German bow makers to the US and we find out how over 30 luthiers collaborated on a single cello at Oberlin. Plus Aleksey Igudesman’s Sentimental Work.
Read more in The Strad
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.
The Best of Technique
Antonio Stradivari ‘Messiah’ violin 1716 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.
October 2023
We talk to the Leonkoro Quartet and investigate the history of the Hardanger fiddle. There’s a look at Pablo Casals’ unique interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites, and double bassist Leon Bosch gives a Masterclass on Koussevitzky. Plus interviews with Johan Dalene, Nils Mönkemeyer and Sergej Krylov.
Read more in The Strad
March 2022
‘Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ 1741 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.
BUNDLE – The Best of Trade Secrets 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
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.
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.
Antonio Stradivari ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ Violin 1713 (FOLDED)
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
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 ‘Cozio’ viola 1773 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.
December 2023
We talk to US violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and investigate the lives of two Italian luthiers: Filippo de Filippi and Luigi Mozzani. There’s an in-depth look at Telemann and we look at techniques to play more effortlessly. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass with cellist Hannah Roberts.
Read more in The Strad
September 2023
In an education special, we talk to violinist Randall Goosby and explore strategies to help adult learners on the cello. There’s a look at training a lutherie apprentice, and what conservatoires are doing to safeguard students’ mental health. Plus interviews with Hilary Hahn, Ronald Copes and Eldbjørg Hemsing.
Read more in The Strad
August 2023
Nicola Benedetti talks about becoming director of the Edinburgh International Festival, and there’s a look at the life of luthier Marino Capicchioni. We ask what Stradivari used as a pre-varnish preparation layer, and Julian Rachlin gives his Sentimental Work. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass with Pavel Šporcl.
Read more in The Strad
March 2024
We talk to superstar violinist Augustin Hadelich and explore the life of composer Pierre Rode. Cellist Laurence Lesser looks back on his six-decade career and there’s a Masterclass on Ravel’s Violin Sonata no.2. Plus a look at setting up a double bass, and Gidon Kremer reveals his Sentimental Work.
Read more in The Strad
Antonio Stradivari ‘Huberman’ violin 1713 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.
‘De Munck’ Stradivari cello 1730 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.
Antonio Stradivari ‘Archinto’ viola 1696 poster
Includes measurements, thickness and arching maps.
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.
In Focus 2
The Strad ’s second compilation of fascinating articles, written within the last 5 years, brings together fine instruments by some of the world’s greatest instrument experts. In this new anthology, every instrument has been given three pages to include more close-up photographs, archings, angles and tiny details.
‘Kreisler’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1733 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.
February 2024
We talk to British violist Timothy Ridout and learn about the history of violin making in Schönbach. Philippe Graffin talks about the discovery of a ‘lost’ work by Ysaÿe and we examine what might be the last violin ever made by Guadagnini. Plus a Brahms Masterclass with Daniel Kurganov.
Read more in The Strad
Masterclass: 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.
In Focus
For a limited time only, The Strad is issuing the first in the In Focus series with a beautiful, new limited edition cover.
This collection of articles from The Strad’s long-running In Focus series brings together more than 80 fascinating stringed instruments, with commentaries by some of today’s top instrument experts.
Makers include Antonio Stradivari, Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ and G.B. Guadagnini, but also lesser-known masters such as Paul Knorr, Dante Baldoni, Charles Nicolas Altermatt and many others. This makes it an essential resource for anyone seeking to extend their lutherie knowledge into areas and makers whose work is more rare, and a significant addition to the lutherie literature.
In Focus features exceptional high-quality photographs for every featured instrument – front, back and scroll – this book will provide inspiration for today’s makers and anyone who enjoys the beauty and variety of stringed instruments.
Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Plowden’ violin 1735 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.
The Strad Masterclass: Solo Violin
James Ehnes, Hilary Hahn, Leonidas Kavakos, Maxim Vengerov, Nikolaj Znaider: some of the violin world's top names have given their thoughts on key works of string repertoire within The Strad's pages. Now, for the first time, Masterclass: Solo Violin brings together articles from the magazine's popular Masterclass section over the past nine years.
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
Antonio Stradivari ‘Titian’ violin 1715 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.
Antonio Stradivari ‘Saveuse’ cello 1726 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.
May 2023
July 2022
Nicolò Amati ‘Romanov’ Viola 1677 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.
‘Kochanski’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin 1741 poster
One of The Strad's most popular posters is now available with brand new artwork showing the 1741 'Kochanski' Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ in all its glory.
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.
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
- 1619 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
Antonio Stradivari ‘Harrison’ violin 1693 poster
A perfect example of Stradivari's Long Pattern, the 'Harrison' was for many years the principal performing instrument of Kyung Wha Chung. It is now part of the collection of the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, US.
Read more in 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.
Brothers Amati cello c.1600 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.
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
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
‘Schneider’ Gofriller cello 1693 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.
