J & A Beare

30/07/2026

Congratulations to Beare's Society artist Tuulia Hero for her new appointment as Professor of Violin at the RNCM - Royal Northern College of Music!

Tuulia is a founding member of the Paddington Trio and Ensemble+, playing on a Goffriller violin through the Beare's Society.

Tuulia Hero will take up the role from September 2026

27/07/2026

It's been a successful month for younger artists supported by Beare's as Jayda Lu and Luca Kaufman saw success in competitions.

Jayda was lent a Guadagnini for the Tibor Junior Competition, and won Third Prize, while Luca plays a violin and bow through our charity, the J & A Beare Cultural Trust, and won Second Prize at the Ilona Feher Competition.

17/07/2026

Congratulations to Lin Tokura ｜ 戸倉 凛 for winning First Prize at the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra's Rising Star Competition!

She was performing on a Gagliano on loan through the Beare's Society.

07/07/2026

How were two twin Stradivari cellos reunited on stage after 300 years?

Explore the story of the 1698 "De Kermadec, Bläss" and c.1698 "London, Boccherini", two Strads made from the same tree, in our latest instrument spotlight - and how they were brought together again at the Beare's Chamber Music Festival last year.

The "De Kermadec, Bläss" was in the hands of Yuya Okamoto of the Quatuor Ebène, on loan from the Habisreutinger Foundation, and the "London, Boccherini" is played by Kian Soltani - Cellist on loan through the Beare's Society.

Catch the full article here: https://www.beares.com/spotlight-on-two-stradivari-cellos/

26/06/2026

The secret is out!

With the launch of the 59th Premio Paganini Violin Competition at the Italian Cultural Institute in London, we can now reveal: the winner of the competition will receive the chance to enjoy the loan of a fine Guadagnini violin for a year from a generous sponsor through the Beare's Violin Society.

We can't wait to hear the talented contestants taking part in the competition next year, who will be chosen by a jury led by longstanding friend of Beare's, Ning Feng 🎻

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Lovely news for our friends in the Quatuor Ebène, who now perform as an all-Stradivari ensemble!

Yuya, Marie and Gabriel's instruments join the 1717 "Piatti" played by Pierre on loan from a generous donor through the Beare's Society.

It is a huge pleasure and honor for us to announce that, from now on, the Quatuor Ébène will have the privilege of performing on four Stradivarius instruments !
“Piatti” (1717), “King George” (1710), Gibson (1734), and “De Kermadec-Bläss” (1698) become our closest friends and can start chatting with each other.

The opportunity to push our artistry and our standards to the highest level thanks to these prestigious instruments is a never-ending quest, and every day we appreciate the chance we have been given.

An exciting and inspiring mission lies ahead of us, and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Stradivari Stiftung Habisreutinger-Huggler-Coray and our generous sponsor through the Beare’s International Violin Society for allowing us to lay our fingers upon these jewels to try to reach the unattainable.

Photo: Co Merz, taken at the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden 2026, during our Beethoven Cycle at the Blue Rose Hall.

10/06/2026

It's a Beare's family double bill tonight!

We're looking forward to hearing Clara-Jumi Kang in action, playing Britten's Violin Concerto in her Royal Philharmonic Orchestra debut, while across the river, Timothy Ridout - Violist takes on Berlioz's Harold in Italy with Simon Rattle and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment - two stunning programmes from fantastic artists.

03/06/2026

A delight to have the Leonkoro Quartet share their insights at our latest masterclass.

Both for the groups taking part, as well as for our charity's students and patrons in the audience, the session provided fascinating concepts for technique, interpretation and ensemble playing.

27/05/2026

Huge thanks to Beare's Society artist Isang Enders from the Sitkovetsky Trio for giving an inspiring and insightful class on the art of sound to our J & A Beare Cultural Trust students and charity patrons.

Several of the cellists supported by our charity enjoyed further unique experiences as Isang joined them to play together in the afternoon - a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved.

Our masterclasses continue on Monday 1 June, when we welcome the Leonkoro Quartet for a fascinating session exploring the secrets behind chamber music performance - £20/£10 students: https://bearestrust.org/