Editor’s letterANGELA LYONS I t’s not every day that

ContributorsMICHAEL DARNTON (Books, page 93) is co-owner of

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AN INDIVIDUAL VOICEWhen Ivry Gitlis died on Christmas Eve last year at the age of 98 there was an outpouring of love and affection from the musical community. Tully Potter pays tribute to the great violinist’s life and career

CHANCE OF A LIFETIMEFor Italian violinist Francesca Dego, the opportunity to perform and record on Paganini’s ‘Il Cannone’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ of 1743 was a dream come true.  She shares with Tom Stewart her experiences with the rarely accessed instrument – which came complete with security guards and its own dressing room

A FAMILY AFFAIRIn this globalised era, there are still many families that keep up their strong lutherie traditions, with parents passing on their secrets and skills to the next generation. Peter Somerford asks how such formative influences can affect their craft, for better or for worse

A tango phenomenonIn celebration of the 100th anniversary of renowned tango composer Astor Piazzolla’s birth this month, Argentine violinists Rafael Gintoli and Gabriela Olcese pay tribute to him and offer basic guidance to violinists on how to interpret tango music

IN GOOD TIMEThe Engegård Quartet’s third album of Mozart string quartets was all about timing – from allowing enough space between learning and recording the works, to faithfully honouring the composer’s tempo markings – as Andrew Mellor discovers

THE ENTERPRISE SYSTEMChina has become a world leader in stringed instrument making, based on a system of bulk production combined with respect for craftsmanship. Sisi Ye speaks to the heads of manufacturing firms in Pinggu, Queshan and Huangqiao to learn more

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHTGerald Elias has spent many years as a professional orchestral violinist – in the Boston SO and Utah Symphony – and has been music director of Salt Lake City’s Vivaldi by Candlelight chamber orchestra since 2004. Here he explores some of the universal challenges faced by orchestral string players which go unrecognised by audiences

Complexity crisisThe Brexit deal has generated many unanswered questions regarding UK–EU touring, which have left UK music bodies scratching their heads. How can musicians negotiate the minefield?

Telling the truthAn International Women’s Day celebration of a civil rights pioneer

COMPETITIONSSamuel Abraham Vargas Teixeira MIDORI PHOTO TIMOTHY GREENFIELD-SANDERS.

Harder than everReducing weight with a layer of ‘bullet-proof’ protection

LifelessonsTwo years on from winning the Carl Nielsen International Competition, the 20-year-old Swedish violinist is staying close to his roots

NEWS IN BRIEFBerlin Philharmonie Berlin Philharmonic plans Shanghai residency bit.ly/3iX2Kw1

OBITUARIESJOHN GEORGIADIS The British violinist a nd conductor

GEORGE CRASKEA close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Carving the neck on a viola da gambaMakers reveal their special techniques

SAULO DANTAS-BARRETOA peek into lutherie workshops around the world

Secrets of the sticksPoints of interest to violin and bow makers

BACH’S E MAJOR VIOLIN SONATABritish violinist Simon Standage looks at the Adagio ma non tanto and ‘firework’ finale, in the second of two articles exploring this 18th-century work for violin and harpsichord

Cello warm-ups: the bow armHow to prepare the whole body for efficient, time-saving repertoire practice

CONCERTSTHIS MONTH’S RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS Our pick

RECORDINGSBEETHOVEN Cello Sonatas op.5; Variations on ‘Bei Männern,

BOOKSThe Roaring Brook Fiddler: Creative Life on the

From the ARCHIVEFROM THE STRAD  MARCH  1941  VOL.51 NO.611

AMIT PELEDBloch’s Prayer was the Israeli–American cellist’s entry to understanding Jewish music – and in fact provides a perfect example of ‘the Jewish sonata form’