IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Editorís letter
The British viola tradition is synonymous with Lionel

Contributors
CHRISTIAN BAYON (Making Matters, page 72) is a

SOUNDPOST
Letters, emails, online comments

Target practice
News and events from around the world this month

OBITUARIES
CONRAD VON DER GOLTZ Violinist Conrad von der

People watching
PREMIERE of the MONTH

COMPETITIONS
Bohdan Luts Vilém Vlček Trio Basilea LUTS PHOTO

Fashion statement
VIOLIN CASE

AU NATUREL
Kremer Pigmente has released a new natural resin,

SHINE ON
König & Meyer’s new Double2 LED FlexiLight stand

Life lessons
The Italian violinist on his journey to becoming a Baroque specialist and the benefits of having a range of influences

The human touch
POSTCARD from...

‘PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR SOMETHING DIFFERENT’
Timothy Ridout is the latest in a line of brilliant British violists that stretches back to Lionel Tertis. He speaks to Toby Deller about the legacy of this influential musician, his own fight to expand the viola repertoire, and his latest recording – a Tertis celebration

A LOVE REVIVED
Violinist Philippe Graffin has recorded a work for violin and orchestra by Eugène Ysaÿe that had lain undiscovered for more than a century. He speaks to Jessica Duchen about the love affair that inspired the piece, and what can be learnt from its discovery

THE ART OF THE DEAL
Signed 100 years ago, an agreement between luthier Stefano Scarampella and his apprentice Gaetano Gadda has recently been discovered. Philip Kass explains how it shines a light on the business relationship between two of Mantua’s leading 20th-century makers

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
In the second and final part of his survey, Tully Potter reveals the extent of the explosion of all-female quartets that occurred after the First World War in the UK, Europe, the US and the Soviet Union, as well as notable mixed ones

THE DARING DOZEN
The conductorless string orchestra 12 Ensemble is celebrating its twelfth birthday with a new album, Metamorphosis. Founder members Max Ruisi and Eloise-Fleur Thom speak to David Kettle about the repertoire, and recording in London’s famous Abbey Road Studios

FATHER of a TRADITION
By the early 20th century, the town of Schönbach was producing tens of thousands of violins per year – but the industry began with just one man. Christian Hoyer sifts through the records to reveal the life and legacy of Elias Placht

IN FOCUS
A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Preparing the neck-block
Makers reveal their special techniques

VICTOR HUGO VÉLEZ
LUTHIER

Stronger together
Points of interest to violin and bow makers

BRAHMS VIOLIN SONATA NO.2, FIRST MOVEMENT
MASTERCLASS

Yin and yang
Using balance to create a free viola sound

Reviews
CONCERTS

Reviews
BOOKS

From the ARCHIVE
The Strad ’s Egyptian correspondent Alexander Ruppa gives an account of two (not entirely successful) performances by violinist Bronisław Huberman

IN THE NEXT ISSUE
Augustin Hadelich The German violinist, with a raft

EDWARD DUSINBERRE
Beethoven’s String Quartet no.8 has been a life companion for the British musician, over more than three decades as the Takács Quartet’s first violinist