ContributorsIAGOBAFANLO (Technique, page 78) is

SOUNDPOST Letters, emails, online comments

Editorís letterSummeris here, bringing with it an array of

Testing timesMusic teachers and students have recently expressed concerns about the ABRSM, the UK’s leading music examining board. How is it responding to the criticism?

NEWS IN BRIEFNicola Benedetti receives honorary RWCMD fellowship bit.ly/3OQAQAQ

OBITUARIESCARL ST JACQUES Violist Carl St Jacques died

June auctions see Stradivari and ‘del Gesù’ violins command high pricesOn 3 June a violin made in 1736

Emerging pat ternsA piece for strings, about strings

COMPETITIONS2 Lina Nakano 3 Gaeun Kim 4Jennifer Koh

Alternative all-rounderA carbon fibre bow for the young, versatile performer

Life lessonsThe Australia Chamber Orchestra’s British principal violinist considers the pivotal role of chamber music throughout her career

Contending for the crownAt the second-ever cello edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, twelve world-class cellists competed for the top prize in gruelling finals attended by the Belgian queen herself. Pauline Harding reports

THE MASTER STORYTELLERFinnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is characterised by his unique powers of communication as well as his sense of fun. He speaks to Andrew Mellor about how his burgeoning complementary career as a conductor is opening up new musical perspectives for him

THREE OF A KINDReseachers based at Cremona’s Museo del Violino recently had the chance to examine three priceless violins made by Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesu’ in the same year – 1734. Giacomo Fiocco explains the technical methods used to analyse the trio, and what they revealed about the surface materials and design idiosyncrasies

PEAK PERFORMANCEViolinist, researcher and consultant Berenice Beverley Zammit explains how physical exercise and simulation of the live concert environment can help string players and other musicians perform more efficiently under pressure

A PRECIOUS GIFTBenjamin Britten’s 19th-century viola was a present to him from Frank Bridge. Violist Hélène Clément speaks to Carlos María Solare about recording an album featuring music by both composers on which this remarkable instrument takes centre stage

Attention to detailsOften called the finest bow maker of the 20th century, Eugène Sartory was a fastidious artisan whose work shows efficiency and reliability. Richard Morency examines a bow from Sartory’s middle period to reveal his working methods

SHE’S LIKE A RAINBOWThe award-winning violinist Elena Urioste has many strands to her career. She speaks to Toby Deller about making her BBC Proms debut, yoga, chamber music with friends, and how she kept the music alive during lockdown

CARLO FERDINANDO LANDOLFIINFOCUS A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Making a Baroque cello bridgeA method that allows the luthier to create their own design rather than rely on a pre-cut template

MY SPACEA peek into lutherie workshops around the world

The need for speedMaking a bow in three days is a tall order for anyone – but for six bow makers together? Pierre Nehr explains how April’s ‘Bow Rush’ event in Paris became an educational experience for all concerned

MOZART STRING QUARTET K428In the first movement of Mozart’s third ‘Haydn’ quartet Johanna Staemmler, second violinist of the Armida Quartet, discusses the importance of harmony, colour and intellectual complexity

Quartett Vollendet 1783

Creating sound from the imagination Daily practice tools to help you realise your inner musical vision on your instrument

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

CONCERTSTo browse through more than a decade of

MannheimMANDELRING QUARTET, ROLAND GLASSL (VIOLA) ISANG ENDERS (CELLO)

BerlinBRUNO DELEPELAIRE (CELLO) KARAJAN ACADEMY OF THE BERLIN

RECORDINGSCAROLINE BITTENCOURT PRISM IV BACH Fugue in

BOOKSThe Luthier’s Manual by J.C. Maugin Ed/trans. John

From the ARCHIVEFROM THE STRAD 1912 AUGUST VOL.23 NO.268 Jelly

IN THE NEXT ISSUEEDUCATION FOCUS Pinchas Zukerman We observe the

MARIA KLIEGELThe German cellist recalls the creation of Hommage à Nelson M., inspired by the life of Nelson Mandela – and the long road to performing it in front of the man himself