The Strad March 2019 issue is out now, with Sheku Kanneh-Mason as the cover star. In a wide-ranging interview, he discusses competition success, royal weddings and getting used to a role model status.

We learn about Giovanni Francesco Pressenda from Tsutomu Miyasaka who draws on his observations of more than 200 instruments by the Turin maker to show how his unique style blends French and Italian influences; and we examine the acoustic properties of fingerboards made from different materials, in an effort to find alternatives to traditional ebony.

Gidon Kremer marks 100 years since Mieczysław Weinberg’s birth, and tells us why he thinks the works still resonate in the 21st century; Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto discusses his partnership with Greenpeace to draw attention to the plight of the Great Northern Forest; we explore the fascinating subgenre of works which required double bassists to sing and speak; and we get a full report from last year’s Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

In our regular sections:

In Focus features a violin made in Argentina by the Italian-born luthier Alfredo Del Lungo; Hayato Nagaishi details his hassle-free and accurate method of neck setting in Trade Secrets; My Space features the workshop of Swedish luthier Fredrik Nilsson; and in Making Matters we examine new research into the Corsby family of English instrument makers.

Our monthly Masterclass is from Steven Tenenbom on the first two pieces in Schumann’s Märchenbilder; Cellist Hans Jørgen Jensen presents exercises for fast, tension-free playing in Technique; American cellist Lynn Harrell tells us his Life Lessons; plus two traditional Japanese songs evoke memories for Anne Akiko Meyers in Sentimental Work.

We also bring you news of the latest competitions, products and auctions, and comprehensive reviews of concerts, CDs and books.