Editor’s letter

ANGELA LYONS I t’s not every day that

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MICHAEL DARNTON (Books, page 93) is co-owner of

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AN INDIVIDUAL VOICE

When Ivry Gitlis died on Christmas Eve last year at the age of 98 there was an outpouring of love and affection from the musical community. Tully Potter pays tribute to the great violinist’s life and career

CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

For Italian violinist Francesca Dego, the opportunity to perform and record on Paganini’s ‘Il Cannone’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ of 1743 was a dream come true.  She shares with Tom Stewart her experiences with the rarely accessed instrument – which came complete with security guards and its own dressing room

A FAMILY AFFAIR

In this globalised era, there are still many families that keep up their strong lutherie traditions, with parents passing on their secrets and skills to the next generation. Peter Somerford asks how such formative influences can affect their craft, for better or for worse

A tango phenomenon

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of renowned tango composer Astor Piazzolla’s birth this month, Argentine violinists Rafael Gintoli and Gabriela Olcese pay tribute to him and offer basic guidance to violinists on how to interpret tango music

IN GOOD TIME

The Engegård Quartet’s third album of Mozart string quartets was all about timing – from allowing enough space between learning and recording the works, to faithfully honouring the composer’s tempo markings – as Andrew Mellor discovers

THE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM

China has become a world leader in stringed instrument making, based on a system of bulk production combined with respect for craftsmanship. Sisi Ye speaks to the heads of manufacturing firms in Pinggu, Queshan and Huangqiao to learn more

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Gerald Elias has spent many years as a professional orchestral violinist – in the Boston SO and Utah Symphony – and has been music director of Salt Lake City’s Vivaldi by Candlelight chamber orchestra since 2004. Here he explores some of the universal challenges faced by orchestral string players which go unrecognised by audiences

Complexity crisis

The Brexit deal has generated many unanswered questions regarding UK–EU touring, which have left UK music bodies scratching their heads. How can musicians negotiate the minefield?

Telling the truth

An International Women’s Day celebration of a civil rights pioneer

COMPETITIONS

Samuel Abraham Vargas Teixeira MIDORI PHOTO TIMOTHY GREENFIELD-SANDERS.

Harder than ever

Reducing weight with a layer of ‘bullet-proof’ protection

Life lessons

Two years on from winning the Carl Nielsen International Competition, the 20-year-old Swedish violinist is staying close to his roots

TOUCHING A NERVE

Although nervous energy can lead to inspired playing, it can also result in performance anxiety – unless we find ways to control it, writes cellist 

NEWS IN BRIEF

Berlin Philharmonie Berlin Philharmonic plans Shanghai residency bit.ly/3iX2Kw1

OBITUARIES

JOHN GEORGIADIS The British violinist a nd conductor

GEORGE CRASKE

A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Carving the neck on a viola da gamba

Makers reveal their special techniques

Secrets of the sticks

Points of interest to violin and bow makers

BACH’S E MAJOR VIOLIN SONATA

British violinist Simon Standage looks at the Adagio ma non tanto and ‘firework’ finale, in the second of two articles exploring this 18th-century work for violin and harpsichord

Cello warm-ups: the bow arm

How to prepare the whole body for efficient, time-saving repertoire practice

CONCERTS

THIS MONTH’S RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS Our pick

RECORDINGS

BEETHOVEN Cello Sonatas op.5; Variations on ‘Bei Männern,

BOOKS

The Roaring Brook Fiddler: Creative Life on the

From the ARCHIVE

FROM THE STRAD  MARCH  1941  VOL.51 NO.611

AMIT PELED

Bloch’s Prayer was the Israeli–American cellist’s entry to understanding Jewish music – and in fact provides a perfect example of ‘the Jewish sonata form’