Editor’s letterANGELA LYONS For most string players, performing on

ContributorsHUBERT DE LAUNAY (The Strad Calendar 2022, page

SOUNDPOSTLetters, emails, online comments

Progress reportDespite the UK government’s announcements of major advances in negotiations, the impact of Brexit continues to be a cause for concern among British musicians and organisations

NEWS IN BRIEFViolinist Vilde Frang receives 1734 ‘Rode’ Guarneri ‘del

OBITUARIESIGOR OISTRAKH Russian violinist Igor Oistrakh has died

Blank canvasA viola concerto that celebrates contrast and defies expectations

COMPETITIONS1. Lyris Quartet 2. Elizabeth Wallfisch 4. David

NEW PRODUCTSFEATURED PRODUCT INSTRUMENT CASE Cast in a

Life lessonsAdvice and memories from before and during the German musician’s decades-long tenure as the Berlin Philharmonic’s principal cellist

A spiritual CONNECTIONEven for one of the most revered violinists, it is a daunting task to get to know twelve of the world’s finest Stradivaris, many with jaw-dropping pasts, within only a few weeks. Janine Jansen talks to Pauline Harding about how she did just that for a new recording and documentary

BENEATH THE SURFACEThe inclusion of minerals in Italian varnishes from the 16th to mid-18th centuries has long been a source of speculation. Balthazar Soulier, Stefan Zumbühl and Christophe Zindel present the first results of a long-term study showing that key answers can be found in early German recipes

GOLDEN GIRLDocumentary maker Christopher Nupen made several groundbreaking films with Jacqueline du Pré. Here he shares his memories of the legendary British cellist who tragically died at the age of 42 after battling with multiple sclerosis

TWO’S COMPANYViolinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Sol Gabetta’s new recording is the culmination of many years of music making and friendship, as the pair tell Charlotte Gardner

A NEW DAWNThe first school to offer US-accredited music degrees in mainland China, Juilliard’s Tianjin campus is the next step in the long history of East-West partnerships. Tom Stewart discovers how the institution is attracting students from all over the globe

DUTCH TREASURESThe Strad Calendar 2022 showcases twelve of the finest instruments belonging to the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation. Head of collection Frits Schutte outlines its work, while Hubert de Launay gives a tour of the riches

AGUSTÍ ALTIMIRAIN FOCUS

Decorating a copy of a historical violinGold and silver leaf, glass powder and ink are all necessary in this detailed and complex process

LUTHIER YUJI KANEKOLOCATION Matsuyama, Japan ALL PHOTOS YUJI KANEKO A

In the light of experienceMost violin makers will have a UV cabinet in their workshop, but how many realise the differences between the light sources? In the first of two articles, Andreas Hampel and Andreas Hudelmayer examine several of the available options

BEETHOVEN VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJORMASTERCLASS

Trills and embellishmentsHow to develop finger strength and control for even, well-articulated ornaments

ReviewsCONCERTS

BOOKSA Life in Music: Memories of 80 years

From the ARCHIVEEleven years after Henryk Wieniawski’s death, his former accompanist Arno Kleffel recalls how the famed violinist and composer told him how he achieved his famous staccato

TIM KLIPHUISRichard Strauss’s song Morgen! proved to be the Dutch violinist’s route into cross-genre performance – and one of the most popular pieces performed by his trio