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Source-linked reporting
stringsmagazine.com
The article covers Sarah Chang discussing her 1717 Guarneri del Gesù, which she uses for performances and views as a reminder of her musical mentor Isaac Stern. It recounts Stern guiding her to test many violins before selecting the del Gesù from Stern’s collection, and Chang’s description of the instrument’s sound and its personal significance.
The Strad
The Strad reported that Pilar Policano of Argentina won the senior category (ages 15 to 22) and Valerie Bai of the USA won the younger group (15 and under) at the 2026 Ilona Feher International Violin Competition in Hungary. Senior prizes included total prize money of 10,000 euros and a two-year loan of a violin by contemporary maker Gabor Draskoczy modelled on the 1734 Willemotte Stradivari, plus an invitation to perform at Festival Academy Budapest Summerfest 2027.
newz.net.au
The piece discusses a rare 18th-century violin donated to the Canberra Youth Orchestra via Music for Canberra. It mentions a label reading Matriti per Granadensem Josephum Contreras Anno 1752 and notes expert caution about labels, with luthier Michael Hargreaves assessing the craftsmanship and authenticity potential.
The Strad
The Strad reported that Polish violinist Natalia Dragan, 17, won the 5,000 euro first prize at the 2026 Tibor Junior International Violin Competition, with Baiyi Tao of China, 16, taking the 2,000 euro second prize and Jayda Lu of Australia, 15, the 1,000 euro third prize. No historic instrument or maker was named among the awards.
The Strad
The Strad reported that 23-year-old US violinist Christina Nam won the senior category of the 2026 Ysaye International Music Competition, with Tetsutaro Nakatani second and Vilmos Csikos third. Nam receives 5,000 euros plus a one-year loan of a violin from Florian Leonhard Fine Violins and a concerto engagement with the Gunpo Prime Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Strad
Violinist Sylvain Hotellier's Spirito Sorsana violin, made in Cuneo around 1720 to 1725 with a 33.5cm one-piece back, was stolen along with two pernambuco bows overnight on 7 July 2026 in Pantin, a suburb northeast of Paris. The stolen bows were a 2022 Nehr bow engraved La Durance and a Daguin-Panier bow, taken in a black Riboni Uno e Otto case. No value was stated.