Editor’s letterMaintaining creative interest can sometimes be a challenge

ContributorsINGA BRANDINI (Alfred Staar, page 44) is a violin teacher

SOUNDPOSTLetters, emails, online comments

On the beatNews and events from around the world this month

NEW PRODUCTSTurning everyday pracicality to musicians’ acousic

Life lessonsOne of three Vienna Philharmonic concertmasters, the Bulgarian violinist talks about New York street jazz and the musical impact of the internet

Bass ambitionYoung South African double bass players took part in a new dedicated course for their instrument at the end of last year – with promising results, writes faculty member Leon Bosch

BRILLIANT CONCEPTSSince winning the Indianapolis Competition in 2006, violinist Augustin Hadelich has built a reputation for musically astute interpretations in wide-ranging repertoire, much of it written in the 20th and 21st centuries. He speaks to Chloe Cutts about his latest recording – an unusual pairing of Brahms and Ligeti

REVIEWING THE SITUATIONIt has long been assumed that Jacob Stainer received some training in Cremona – but the theory rests on slim evidence. Rudolf Hopfner explores a middle-period violin using micro-CT technology to cast doubt on what we think we know

Sound MASTERAs a leading proponent of the Viennese sound, Alfred Staar’s influence continues to be felt today – no fewer than 22 of his former students currently hold posts in the Vienna Philharmonic. Inga Brandini shares a conversation with the great professor from 15 March 2000, shortly before his death a month later

VOICE FOR ISRAELViolinist Itamar Zorman’s new recording highlights the transition from European to Middle Eastern influences in the works of Paul Ben-Haim, as he tells Gavin Dixon

The gain in SPAINIn the 16th century, many European cities saw an influx of makers from Germany – and the cultural milieu and civic policies of Spanish-held Naples proved particularly attractive. Luigi Sisto explains how the expatriate community laid the groundwork for the city’s lutherie tradition

THE FOLK CONNECTIONChinese composer Tan Dun’s new concerto for Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing draws on traditions common to the homelands of both artists. Andrew Mellor speaks to them about this latest in a series of collaborations

THE ILLUSION SOLUTIONOne of the most mysterious French bow makers, Persoit had a number of idiosyncrasies that give his works a uniquely light appearance. Through a detailed study of a single bow, Paolo Sarri shows his creative answer to the problem of bulky heads

PAUL DÖRFELA close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Making and itting purlingsolution to the awkward problem of how to insert strips around the neck heel area

CHRISTIAN ADAMAhrensburg is a small town about 20 miles north-east

Fruits of our laboursIt’s well worth the effort to try out alternative wood types in double bass making, says Stefan Krattenmacher, who shares the results of his own experiments – mainly using fruitwoods

SCHUMANN FANTASIESTÜCKE OP.73Cellist Jan Vogler discusses how to colour these fantasy pieces using a mixture of technique and imaginaion

Achieving balance between the chin and left thumbLearn to reduce physical stress by distribuing instrument weight more efecively across your body

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

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RECORDINGSBEACH Violin Sonata in A minor op.34; Romance op.23;

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BOOKSKatharina Uhde claims that this weighty tome, emanating

From the ARCHIVEE.C. hatcher, an infrequent contributor, observes how so many string players have diiculty keeping their mannerisms and ‘facial oscillations’ in check

IN THE NEXT ISSUEThe pioneering chamber group mark their 35th anniversary

ANTJE WEITHAASThe Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto presents a mixture of Eastern and Western inluences to the German violinist – and only revealed its true secrets ater a whole decade of resing