Editorís letterWe’vecome a long way over the past twelve

ContributorsPARISANDREW (Opinion, page 23) is a British luthier

LETTER of the MONTHLetters, emails, online comments

Classica l unclassifedNews and events from around the world this month

NEWS IN BRIEFSantiago Cañón-Valencia kicked off Copa Airlines flight bit.ly/3WZQte4

OBITUARIESANDREW DAWES Canadian violinist Andrew Dawes died on

PREMIERE of the MONTHIn memory of

Petz Viennawww.pk.at/shop

Good as goldCELLO STRINGS

Life lessonsThe US cellist on how a disciplined early approach enabled him to embrace the possibilities of new experiences

A birthday celebrationPOSTCARD from...

BLINK IF YOU DAREDaniel Pioro is a violinist to watch – uncompromising about speaking his mind, whether it comes to challenging mediocrity, championing new works or combining ancient and modern. He talks to Tom Stewart about his philosophy, his new album, and the fresh ideas he is bringing to his ongoing residency at London’s Southbank Centre

DANIEL PIORO ON HIS VIOLINThe violinist has played a modern instrument inspired by the ‘Viotti’ Stradivari since 2012

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVEA bow made entirely from ivory has long been considered an enigma as it has never been attributed to a country, let alone to a maker. Now Gennady Filimonov reveals its origins – made by one of the finest and most respected Russian artisans in history

ONCE MORE, WITH FEELINGHow does repetition in instrumental practice benefit our playing? Pedro de Alcantara provides tips on how to bring some creativity and intentionality into your practice time

SINGING A NEW SONGFollowing major competition successes, the US violinist Maria Ioudenitch has made her debut recording based on song arrangements treated with understated nuance. She tells Rita Fernandes about the forthcoming album

LEARNING CURVESHow did the old Cremonese makers work out their archings? Gareth Ballard presents a detailed method for analysing the various curves – and creating your own from the same principles

The competitive advantageHow can you win at a competition, even if you don’t pick up a prize? Charlotte Gardner gleans the advice of top figures in the music industry on how to make the most of the experience

CESARE CANDI A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Making a soundpost jigMakers reveal their special techniques

MY SPACEA peek into lutherie workshops around the world 

Berlin’s OberlinPoints of interest to violin and bow makers

BEETHOVEN GROSSE FUGE OP.133Teaching & Playing

GROSSE FUGE Dem Kardinal Erzherzog Rudolph gewidmet

Scaling the heightsThoughts on effective scale and arpeggio practice

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

RECORDINGSAKIHO LigNEouS Suite; Deciduous; Speaking Tree Ian Rosenbaum

BOOKSThe Northern Silence: Journeys in Nordic Music and

From the ARCHIVEThe pseudonymous ‘Lancastrian’ (Dr William Hardman) interviews virtuoso violinist Adolph Brodsky, then principal of the Royal Manchester College of Music

IN THE NEXT ISSUEFRENCH FOCUS

MARIO BRUNELLOThe Italian cellist recalls the first time he performed Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas on the violoncello piccolo, and how the experience informed his understanding of the composer

START YOUR COURSE HUNTING HERE!Before you start combing through the string courses listed in this guide, take a look at these suggestions to help find the course that’s right for you

QUESTIONS TO GET YOU STARTEDWHY DO YOU WANT TO GO ON A

COURSES FOR PLAYERS AND TEACHERSPLAYERS KEY Instruments vn violin va viola vc

COURSES FOR MAKERSLuthier Chris Sandvoss works on a cello back