News & features

worst things about playing the violin

The 10 worst things about playing the violin

blood on violin

This is what a violinist’s fingers look like after playing Shostakovich

menuhin competition 2016

The Menuhin Competition has announced its 2016 competitors

boy violin feet

Terrifying new study suggests '1 in 10 violin prodigies attempt suicide'

Maxim Vengerov violinist

Maxim Vengerov: 'Playing an instrument should never become routine'

Maxim Vengerov

jessica schmitz airpot security

Flautist threatened with arrest in airport security nightmare

Julia Fischer

The Classic FM Q&A: violinist Julia Fischer

Julia Fischer

Joshua Bell masterclass

Joshua Bell came in to the studio and we put your violin questions to him

Joshua Bell

big and small violins

The world's biggest violin, and the world's smallest (playing just for you)

The Perlman Sound

The Perlman Sound

Itzhak Perlman

human hair violin

This man used his own hair to string a violin – and it actually sounds pretty good

Craig Leon Bach to Moog

This guy plays Bach’s great orchestral works on a Moog and it actually sounds great

Bach

London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

Valery Gergiev exclusive: ‘It’s hugely important for young children to be included in the great world of classical music’

Valery Gergiev

Nicola Benedetti

Nicola Benedetti: 'Children should be exposed to classical music just as they are to great books'

Nicola Benedetti

David Garret dedications

David Garrett's video dedications: did he pick you?

David Garrett

Stradivarius violin

Blind test: can you recognise the sound of a Stradivarius?

piezoelectric violin

Is this sci-fi violin the craziest-looking instrument in the world?