A summer festival in Silicon Valley initiates young players into the joys and challenges of chamber music and then sends them out into...

In June I had the privilege of being part of BE PHIL, an international amateur orchestra conducted by Simon Rattle in Berlin. Read about...

Musicians can generate their own publicity without spending a penny, by sending out their own press releases. Here are some of the things...

The London Symphony Orchestra’s early evening concert format is a welcome development in the city’s entertainment landscape, for music...

Amateur musicians are a vital part of the classical music world, but don’t always get the recognition or opportunities they deserve or...

The recent Amsterdam String Quartet Biennale explored various aspects of the string quartet format, including the many life lessons it...

The internet offers musicians fantastic opportunities to build their reputations and legacies, as well as selling their music. They...

Wigmore Hall’s new photography policy offers a sensible way forward in today’s visual culture and more venues should follow suit There...

The charismatic, idealistic, often contrarian and utterly unique violinist is 95 years young today. In celebration, here is an interview...

Why is music education and pedagogy not taken more seriously in the music world?

Car boot sales offer a brilliant lesson in salesmanship, and for this rookie also raised questions about buying and selling violins I’m...

In this interview I did with Itzhak Perlman for The Strad’s Violin Heroes supplement in 2009, he remembered and analysed the violinists...

Alexey Stadler‘s unexpected Proms debut last night was such stuff as careers are made on Performing at the Proms on a day’s notice is the...

Violinist Gilles Apap has one of the most original voices today, crossing easily between classical and folk styles, often in the same...

I’ve interviewed many wonderful musicians over the year, have learnt much and had my thinking challenged many times. Here are just a few...

I have a theory that musicians write in exactly the same style that they play their instruments. I’m pleased to see it proven, somewhat...

The ground-breaking English folk band has broken up after 12 years, leaving this fangirl sad – but grateful I’m not a mosher. I don’t...

Who are my favourite violinists? A list of 20, which I made for Sinfini Music in 2014, still largely stands, but is sure to provoke a...

The current Southbank Centre slogan offers a lesson in how not to talk to about classical music There are a few obvious rules in...

Regina Carter started with Dont and Galamian but she only truly found her voice when she discovered jazz. She tells Ariane Todes about...