August

‘If I want the bigger Sibelius symphonies in my life, the Bruckners and Mahlers, then I am going to have to learn to conduct’
Adventurous violinist Pekka Kuusisto talks to Andrew Mellor about his predilection for finding new challenges – including a recent shift to the conductor’s podium.

‘The presence of Calcium soap on the “Spagnoletti” indicates the use of a lubricant’
Giacomo Fiocco reports on a recent study of a trio of Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ instruments, examining everything from the varnish composition to the f-hole design.

‘I had never quite prepared for my musical performances in the way that I had for my sports matches.’
Taking inspiration from sports science, Berenice Beverley Zammit reports on how string players can physically prepare themselves for peak performance.

‘What appealed to me most was this viola’s soft quality. This was the sound through which I wanted to express myself’
Violist Hélène Clément tells Carlos María Solare about her latest recording of works by two accomplished viola players: Frank Bridge and Benjamin Britten.

‘It is fascinating that the frog shares some of the distinctive features of the head.’
Richard Morency identifies some of Eugène Sartory’s. working methods through a detailed examination of one of his middle-period bows

‘I don’t know where I’d be without yoga. The better my body is working, the more efficient I can be’
Multifaceted violinist Elena Urioste talks with Toby Deller about everything from yoga to starting up her own festival.

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