No. 252, April 2016
Musical DIY
How to make a new violin concerto
By Anne Akiko Meyers
From Bow to Baton
4 soloists talk about their step up to the podium
By Laurence Vittes
Tribute to a Legend
Cellist Terry King on the legacy of his mentor and teacher Gregor Piatigorsky
By Laurence Vittes
SPECIAL FOCUS
Contemporary Instruments & Bows
Whittle by Whittle
How I learned patience, perseverance, and gratitude at Utah’s Violin Making School of America
By Jenelle Steele
Building Blocks
The importance of wood choice & preparation in instrument making
By Heather K. Scott
9 Carbon Characteristics
Professional players discuss the benefits of ditching pernambuco
By Heather K. Scott
Editor’s Note
News & Notes
Remembering Pierre Boulez, 1925–2016; Composer Anna Clyne teams up with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for world premiere of new work; plus Milestones; 5 minutes with violinist Philippe Quint; and more
First Person
Overcoming focal dystonia required a new approach to left-hand technique
Wise Words
Bassist Joel Quarrington on his relaxed technique
Strings 101
How to add sparkle and bite to your spiccato bow stroke
Master Class
Haydn’s String Quartet in D major, Op. 64, No. 5 is much more than its famous moniker
Practical Musician
How to prepare for performing outdoors
Strings Trade
‘Star Wars’ violin stolen in San Francisco; violinist sues investor over Rogeri sale; Southern Violin Association meets this month; and more
What’s in the Case?
Pieter Wispelwey’s 1760 Guadagnini cello inspires unspeakable trust and confidence
Your Instrument
Cracks in your violin may appear, but many are preventable or repairable
Ask the Expert
Finding a good electric violin is just like finding a good acoustic violin—with a few key differences
New Products
Jarger teams up with Thomastik to introduce new powerful sets of strings; product update on D’Addario’s Kaplan solo bass strings; and more
On Record Violinist Zina Schiff’s new album incorporates technical elements and conjures existential musings, and more In Print Sassmannshaus’ collection of viola pieces covers a breadth of works for the intermediate player, and more
