Editor’s letterBeethoven’s 250th anniversary in 2020 is, for so many

ContributorsJANET BANKS

SOUNDPOSTLetters, emails, online comments

The business of sellingEnsuring that crowds continue to flock to classical music concerts relies on a top-notch marketing strategy – and retaining audiences is becoming an increasingly sophisticated discipline

NEWS IN BRIEFSheku Kanneh-Mason awarded MBE bit.ly/2ZKWduM

OBITUARIESUS bow maker Paul Martin Siefried has died aged 69.

Shake, rattle and rollA solo journey into the underworld

COMPETITIONS1 Chamber trio Le Concert dans l’Oeuf, comprising Mariona

NEW PRODUCTSFabio Lavelli’s first pneumatic positioners were created

Life lessonsHaving the space to breathe is important in more ways than one, says the Swiss cellist

Between two worldsThe third Oleh Krysa International Violin Competition was the first in its short history to honour Ukrainian musicians with top awards. Tom Stewart reports on an event doing its best to highlight Ukraine’s musical pedigree

THE FREEDOM OF INSTABILITYCurrently making international appearances to mark Beethoven’s 250th birthday as well as celebrating 20 years since its foundation, the Ébène Quartet is riding high now that violist Marie Chilemme has become an established member. But, the players tell Charlotte Gardner, replacing former violist Mathieu Herzog was no easy matter following his departure in 2015

THE MAKING OF A MASTERJean-Baptiste Vuillaume was the most successful French luthier of his time, but the first years of his career are still shrouded in mystery. Jonathan Marolle examines some of his earliest instruments to uncover the evolution of his technique and style

A Virtuoso TeacherIn February last year, former Fine Arts Quartet violist Jerry Horner died at the age of 83. China Conservatory of Music violin professor and past Horner student James Dickenson reflects on the career and teaching legacy of a fine mentor, drawing on interviews with Horner’s students and colleagues, and with Margaret Clements, his widow

THE MAGNIFICENT TENJust a handful of instruments by Michel Collichon have survived to the present day – but they demonstrate the skill and techniques of a master innovator. With a tenth example recently identified, Shem Mackey explains the appeal of the 17th-century viol maker to modern-day luthiers

FIRST IMPRESSIONSFor his debut album as an exclusive BIS artist, Johan Dalene – teenage winner of last year’s Carl Nielsen International Competition – has not shied away from ambitious and much-loved repertoire. He and producer Jens U. Braun recall the recording process

A CHANGE OF PACEIs there a time when we should admit defeat, acknowledge our age and put our instruments away for good? Or is it possible to keep enjoying, playing and sharing music forever? Pauline Harding talks to musicians young and old about falling standards, failing physiques and a joy of playing music that, if we want it to, should carry us to our graves

NICOLAS LUPOTA close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Notes on cello endpin fittingA guide to veneer bushing and creating an ‘abrasive reamer’ for making adjustments

MY SPACEA peek into lutherie workshops around the world

The sound of scienceTom Croen reports on a 2019 experiment to discover how much variation in sound can be gained from fingerboard ‘tuning’ – and how alternative materials fare against traditional ebony

SCHUBERT ARPEGGIONE SONATAMoray Welsh looks at the cello version of the first movement, whose successful execution requires boundless musicality, lyricism and technical finesse

A 30-minute routine to keep your playing on top formIdeas to help violinists and violists maintain high technical and musical standards around a busy regime

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

RECORDINGSPOETRY NEARING SILENCE ANDERSON Ring Dance; The Bearded

BOOKSThe Strum Bowing Method: How to Groove on Strings Tracy

From the ARCHIVEIn his regular ‘Continental Happenings’ column, the acerbic George Cecil rounds up some of the more unusual stringrelated news and performances around Europe

IN THE NEXT ISSUEKaren Tuttle

JEAN-LUC PONTYThe French jazz violinist–composer has recorded his 1976 piece ‘Renaissance’ three times – but it’s the original version that remains close to his heart