ContributorsNICOLAS DUPONT (Technique, page 76) is a Belgian

STRING ACCESSORIES 2024CASES ROSINS STRINGS TECH LUTHERIE SHOULDER RESTS The

CASESA colourful collection to protect your instrument

STRINGSNew violin and viola sets

CELLOStabilising accessories for cellists

MUTESVarying materials to help you keep quiet

LUTHERIEProducts for every violin maker's toolkit

SHOULDER RESTSRests for every shoulder shape COLOUR POP Initially

TECHLights, tuners and microphones

ROSINSRecipes for every type of bow

BASSDouble bass-specific products

Editor's letterL ong before the phrase ‘portfolio career’ was

SOUNDPOST LETTER of the MONTH

Alternative measuresNews and events from around the world this month

NEWS IN BRIEFViolinist Alexandra Tirsu loaned 1717 ‘Reifenberg’ Stradivari bit.ly/3U8qTTC

OBITUARIESEDMOND BEART The Belgian cellist and pedagogue Edmond

Feeling dandyThe Black dandyism fashion movement spawns a new cello concerto

COMPETITIONSJavus Quartet 1 The Vienna-based Javus Quartet has

Not just a carbon copyThe world’s first 3D-printed carbon fibre cello

MATERIAL GAINSArcRest has released alternative species models for

HOLD ONArcofrog has released a German bass bow hold

Life lessonsThe US violinist on the importance of our decisions and promoting inclusivity

Like father, like sonAn Omobono Stradivari and two Vuillaumes were the standout lots during a varied spring auction season in London, as Kevin MacDonald reports

A night filled with starsPOSTCARD from... UTRECHT

NEW WAYS OF THINKINGAlthough British cellist Laura van der Heijden is well versed in live performance and studio recording, she is still discovering new facets of her musical personality, as Toby Deller finds out

RETAIL THERAPYAs a general rule, luthiers tend to be better at making instruments than making friends. Violin maker Korinthia A. Klein gives some hints and tips on good customer relations – both for the people entering the workshop and for those running it

‘MUSIC WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN’The Henschel Quartet celebrates its 30th anniversary this season. Co-founder and violist Monika Henschel-Schwind speaks to Andrew Stewart about the group’s longevity, and looks forward to the premiere of Freda Swain’s neglected ‘Norfolk’ String Quartet at Aldeburgh this summer

A HOMECOMINGTheir latest recording gathers new music and 20th-century works by US composers, but the Miró Quartet musicians are always mindful of melodic accessibility. Harry White hears from cellist Joshua Gindele about the group’s commissioning process and recording the album

THREE’S COMPANYAre piano trios having a sudden renaissance? Charlotte Gardner hears from industry professionals and from musicians who relish the repertoire offered by this flexible but underrated chamber grouping

THREE TO WATCH: MITHRAS TRIOViolinist Ionel Manciu, cellist Leo Popplewell and pianist

THREE TO WATCH: TRIO ORELONHÉLIOS PHOTO LYODOH KANEKO. ORELON PHOTO SERGIO BERTANI

THREE TO WATCH: TRIO CHAGALLFEDERICO CARDAMONE YCat artist Trio Chagall was formed

LISTEN TO THE INNER VOICENormally, acoustic measurements are taken from outside the instrument – but the internal vibrations can reveal even more. Colin Gough presents a method for listening inside the soundbox and demonstrates what it can tell us about the sound

BRIDGING THE DECADESThe design of an instrument’s bridge is nowadays

EVASIO EMILIO GUERRA A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

A workshop facility to measure violin family acoustics Makers reveal their special techniques

MY SPACEA peek into lutherie workshops around the world

A bridge too far? Points of interest to violin and bow makers 

FRANCK VIOLIN SONATA, FIRST MOVEMENTTaking inspiration from Jacqueline du Pré and singers, double bassist Michael Rieber shares tips on cultivating Franck’s delicate sound world, despite playing stratospherically high on the instrument

May the 5ths be with youUsing simplification to achieve better technique

CONCERTSNew York

RECORDINGSHIDDEN FLAME BEACH Romance op.23 BOULANGER Three Pieces

BOOKSDoreen Carwithen Dorothy Howell Ethel Smyth Rebecca Clarke

FROM THE STRADViolinist Archie Easton presents some ‘reminiscences of John Frederick Lott’ (1804–70), including his brief spell as an elephant trainer for a circus

IN THE NEXT ISSUE1733 ‘Salabue, Martzy’ Carlo Bergonzi violin One of

ANDRÉS CÁRDENESThe Cuban-born violinist feels a rapport with the opulence of Chausson’s Poème – particularly with the revisions by its dedicatee, Eugène Ysaÿe

FUTURE PROOFNatural hardwoods, including ebony and rosewood, are becoming

OUR FRIENDS ELECTRICCasey Driessen in his music studio MAIN PHOTO

PHOTOSHOP: A STARTER GUIDE FOR LUTHIERSThe Strad’s art editor gives a guide to creating, isolating and removing images from a background, as well as understanding colour corrections and saving the files

Spoilt for choiceA variety of string, bow, shoulder rest and rosin manufacturers present specific ranges that are designed to be the best product you can buy within your price point

JARGAR STRINGSAffordable Young Talent violin and cello sets The

SMOOTH OPERATORBefore applying the first layer of varnish, ground coat or even primer to an instrument, the wood surface must first be prepared. Narelle Freeman examines some of the options for luthiers, and argues that equisetum hyemale provides the best results