Editorís letterOur cover star this June is a unique

SOUNDPOSTLetters, emails, online comments

Forever for everyoneNews and events from around the world this month

OBITUARIESDAN SWAIM US double bassist and educator Dan

All or nothingAn abstract, yet personal, string quartet

COMPETITIONS1 Kleio Quartet 3 Trio Pantoum 4 Paddington

Magic mixVIOLIN STRINGS

Life lessonsAntje Weithaas

The Norman conquestAUCTIONS

THE ROSENBERG COLLECTIONNorman Rosenberg (1926–2022) was a London-based private violin

SPACE TO CREATECellist, composer and singer-songwriter Ayanna Witter-Johnson is one of the most original and distinctive voices in contemporary British music. She speaks to Toby Deller about her musical path and future plans

FIGHTING FOR THE FUTUREThe war in Ukraine rages on, and a vast number of young Ukrainian classical musicians have fled their homes. Rita Fernandes looks at some of the programmes that have been helping to ensure a bright future both for them and for the Ukrainian music scene when the conflict ends

ON THE TRAIL OF A RUSSIAN NOBLEMANGennady Filimonov investigates a mysterious collector known in many publications as ‘a Russian nobleman’ – and discovers how his name links together some great examples of fine instruments

DEEP CONNECTIONSGyörgy Ligeti, the modernist composer who was born 100 years ago this year, became a household name when his music was used in Kubrick’s 2001. But there was much more to him than that. Long-time fan Peter Quantrill talks to leading interpreters of the composer’s remarkable string quartets, and their plans for centenary tributes

A BROAD PALETTECanadian violinist Kerson Leong speaks to Tom Stewart about recording an unusual pairing of two very different concertos, both inspired by the human voice but inhabiting opposite ends of the expressive spectrum

A QUESTION OF TONEIn the second of two articles, Nigel Harris shows how the theoretical principles presented in last month’s issue can be applied to influence tone through close control of the arching shape of the plates

LUIGI MARCONCINIIN FOCUS

Repairing a broken bow headTRADE SECRETS

LUTHIER FILIPPO FASSER MY SPACE A peek into lutherie workshops around the world

A fresh take MAKING MATTERS Points of interest to violin and bow makers

FAURÉ VIOLIN SONATA NO.1 IN A MAJOR, FIRST MOVEMENTMASTERCLASS

The Strad

Sonateà Monsieur Paul Viardot Erschienen 1877 On this

The quest for whole-body awarenessViola technique through the lens of Feldenkrais

AmsterdamTHIS MONTH’S RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS Our pick of the

PhiladelphiaBRENTANO QUARTET AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 1 MARCH 2023

New YorkISIDORE QUARTET THE NEW SCHOOL 19 MARCH 2023

LondonCONSONE QUARTET WIGMORE HALL 12 MARCH 2023 The

RECORDINGSBACH Sonatas for violin and harpsichord: in B

BOOKSThe Cello Still Sings: a Generational Story of

From the ARCHIVETowry Piper gives an account of the life and work of London bow maker James Tubbs (below), still going strong at the age of 78

IN THE NEXT ISSUEAntonio Stradivari 1709 ‘King Carlos IV’ violin A

FRANCESCA DEGOThe Brahms Violin Concerto has been the Italian violinist’s constant partner throughout her career, as well as a passport to working with some great conductors

A welcome from the Mayor of CremonaWhen we refer to ‘cultural heritage’, we are

DYNAMIC DECADEVirginia Villa, director of the Museo del Violino, reflects on a richly productive first ten years of exhibitions, activities and research at the visionary Cremona institution

EA GUARNER IIN PRAISE OF THE PATRIARCHThe founding father of the Guarneri dynasty, Andrea Guarneri was a prolific maker with an influential legacy. In the 400th anniversary year of his birth, the Museo del Violino pays tribute with a range of events and exhibits

MASTER LUTHIER, SUPREME SCHOLARMarking 50 years since the death of influential expert, maker and restorer Simone Fernando Sacconi, the Museo del Violino will host an exhibition of his instruments, a special study day, and dedicated performances

PROTECT AND PRESERVEA new exhibition of restored mandolins and paper artefacts highlights the Museo del Violino’s important conservation activities

BEAUTY OUT OF SUFFERINGA violin made from the wood of migrant boats, and now on display at the Museo del Violino, is a powerful symbol of renewed hope

A JEWEL OF MANY FACETSThe majestic and historic Ponchielli Theatre hosts a dazzling array of drama, dance, concerts and opera, including the prestigious Monteverdi Festival

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCEThe Stauffer Foundation has transformed a historic palazzo into a high-tech paradise for advanced string students, with worldclass teaching and vibrant cultural exchange at its heart

THE ULTIMATE SHOWCASEBringing together the best of contemporary lutherie, concerts, masterclasses and so much more, September’s Cremona Musica exhibition and festival is an unmissable event

SUMMER IN THE CITYThe Cremona Summer Festival gives student, professional and amateur musicians the chance to perform and take masterclasses in this most musical of cities

A BOX OF DELIGHTSThere are countless reasons why Cremona has become a hot destination for tourists, from its cultural endeavours to the quality of its cuisine

SOUNDS OF THE STARSThis year’s STRADIVARIfestival gathers leading string artists for a series of concerts in the Museo del Violino’s acoustically excellent auditorium