One of the marks of a great player is the ability to put the music before ego, but conversely (and almost paradoxically) also imbue the performance with their own distinctive character. The violinist Alina Ibragimova is one such artist: on a mission to find the musical truth in everything she turns her hand to, whether that’s playing solo Bach, historically informed chamber music with her Chiaroscuro Quartet, or searing Shostakovich concertos. On page 26 she talks to Jessica Duchen about her influences and musical philosophy.
