Life lessons

Editor’s letter

Beethoven’s 250th anniversary in 2020 is, for so many

Contributors

JANET BANKS

SOUNDPOST

Letters, emails, online comments

The business of selling

Ensuring that crowds continue to flock to classical music concerts relies on a top-notch marketing strategy – and retaining audiences is becoming an increasingly sophisticated discipline

NEWS IN BRIEF

Sheku Kanneh-Mason awarded MBE bit.ly/2ZKWduM

OBITUARIES

US bow maker Paul Martin Siefried has died aged 69.

Shake, rattle and roll

A solo journey into the underworld

COMPETITIONS

1 Chamber trio Le Concert dans l’Oeuf, comprising Mariona

NEW PRODUCTS

Fabio Lavelli’s first pneumatic positioners were created

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

The primary purpose of a musician is to be heard by an audience – yet so many performers are self-conscious about the idea of their practice being observed and judged. Perhaps it’s time to practise out in the open, writes Toby Deller

Between two worlds

The third Oleh Krysa International Violin Competition was the first in its short history to honour Ukrainian musicians with top awards. Tom Stewart reports on an event doing its best to highlight Ukraine’s musical pedigree

THE FREEDOM OF INSTABILITY

Currently making international appearances to mark Beethoven’s 250th birthday as well as celebrating 20 years since its foundation, the Ébène Quartet is riding high now that violist Marie Chilemme has become an established member. But, the players tell Charlotte Gardner, replacing former violist Mathieu Herzog was no easy matter following his departure in 2015

THE MAKING OF A MASTER

Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume was the most successful French luthier of his time, but the first years of his career are still shrouded in mystery. Jonathan Marolle examines some of his earliest instruments to uncover the evolution of his technique and style

A Virtuoso Teacher

In February last year, former Fine Arts Quartet violist Jerry Horner died at the age of 83. China Conservatory of Music violin professor and past Horner student James Dickenson reflects on the career and teaching legacy of a fine mentor, drawing on interviews with Horner’s students and colleagues, and with Margaret Clements, his widow

THE MAGNIFICENT TEN

Just a handful of instruments by Michel Collichon have survived to the present day – but they demonstrate the skill and techniques of a master innovator. With a tenth example recently identified, Shem Mackey explains the appeal of the 17th-century viol maker to modern-day luthiers

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

For his debut album as an exclusive BIS artist, Johan Dalene – teenage winner of last year’s Carl Nielsen International Competition – has not shied away from ambitious and much-loved repertoire. He and producer Jens U. Braun recall the recording process

A CHANGE OF PACE

Is there a time when we should admit defeat, acknowledge our age and put our instruments away for good? Or is it possible to keep enjoying, playing and sharing music forever? Pauline Harding talks to musicians young and old about falling standards, failing physiques and a joy of playing music that, if we want it to, should carry us to our graves

NICOLAS LUPOT

A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Notes on cello endpin fitting

A guide to veneer bushing and creating an ‘abrasive reamer’ for making adjustments

MY SPACE

A peek into lutherie workshops around the world

The sound of science

Tom Croen reports on a 2019 experiment to discover how much variation in sound can be gained from fingerboard ‘tuning’ – and how alternative materials fare against traditional ebony

SCHUBERT ARPEGGIONE SONATA

Moray Welsh looks at the cello version of the first movement, whose successful execution requires boundless musicality, lyricism and technical finesse

A 30-minute routine to keep your playing on top form

Ideas to help violinists and violists maintain high technical and musical standards around a busy regime

Reviews

Your monthly critical round-up of performances, recordings and publications

RECORDINGS

POETRY NEARING SILENCE ANDERSON Ring Dance; The Bearded

BOOKS

The Strum Bowing Method: How to Groove on Strings Tracy

From the ARCHIVE

In his regular ‘Continental Happenings’ column, the acerbic George Cecil rounds up some of the more unusual stringrelated news and performances around Europe

IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Karen Tuttle

JEAN-LUC PONTY

The French jazz violinist–composer has recorded his 1976 piece ‘Renaissance’ three times – but it’s the original version that remains close to his heart