April 2025

We talk to violinist Arabella Steinbacher and investigate the work of Viennese luthier Franz Geissenhof and the makers of Markneukirchen. There’s a look at concert music written by film composers, and we ask top string players for the best advice they’ve ever had. Plus a Saint-Saëns Masterclass and Frank Peter Zimmermann’s Sentimental Work.

April 2025 Cover

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From this month's magazine

Violinist Arabella Steinbacher: angels and demons

Pauline Harding hears from the German violinist about her cathartic journey into the darkest depths and brightest heights of Lentz’s Violin Concerto, its pairing with Beethoven on her latest recording and the impact of motherhood on music making

Franz Geissenhof: the Viennese Stradivari

Franz Geissenhof’s instruments have always been highly regarded, but how far was he influenced by his Cremonese predecessor? Rudolf Hopfner compares a typical Geissenhof violin with Stradivari’s work to find out

Postcard from Germany: Heidelberg String Quartet Festival

Carlos María Solare joined the loyal audience at Heidelberg’s String Quartet Festival, which celebrated both its 20th anniversary and the upcoming 90th birthday of composer Helmut Lachenmann

Cover story

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Violinist Arabella Steinbacher: angels and demons

Pauline Harding hears from the German violinist about her cathartic journey into the darkest depths and brightest heights of Lentz’s Violin Concerto, its pairing with Beethoven on her latest recording and the impact of motherhood on music making

Playing

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From screen to strings: concert works by screen composers

Rita Fernandes presents a curated list of string works by ten composers best known for their screen work, as well as interviews with composers and players

Lutherie

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Dual accomplishments: the makers of Markneukirchen

The workshops of Markneukirchen and its environs made thousands of violins per year – but many were crafted by true artisans. Bruce Babbitt explains how these violins became the basis for a new book and exhibition charting their evolution

Technique

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Technique: Finding the right bass technique for you

Why double bass technique needs to be tailored to the physicality of the individual player

Masterclass

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Masterclass: Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto no.3 in B minor, first movement

Violinist Benjamin Beilman explores how to navigate the athletic virtuosity of a work that requires the soloist to have firm technical and musical command

Trade Secrets

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Trade secrets: External crack repair using silk

Sharon Que provides an innovative solution to a common – and tricky – repair problem