August 2024: Editor’s welcome and contents

A trio of British artists are in The Strad’s spotlight in this issue. First there’s our cover star Rachel Podger, the brilliant Baroque and Classical violinist who is shortly to become the inaugural principal guest director of the Canadian orchestra Tafelmusik. She speaks to Tom Stewart on page 24 about her new role as well as her beloved Brecon Baroque festival and her commitment to teaching. Next, on page 20 the renowned soloist Tasmin Little shares her life lessons. Interestingly both these violinists, who are from the same generation, emerged at a time when (as Little explains) ‘British violin soloists, let along British female violin soloists, were rather unfashionable.’ Thankfully times have changed, but how did they break through at the beginning? Little says it was through the ability and willingness to collaborate; something she and Podger have clearly had in common throughout their very different but equally stellar careers.

Our third featured Brit is cellist Christopher Bunting, who was born 100 years ago on 8 August 1924. He was an acclaimed soloist in his time and a renowned pedagogue whose influence is still felt today, through both the many distinguished cellists he taught, and his books of cello exercises, which are still in print. His daughter Philippa Bunting, a violinist, teacher and regular contributor to The Strad, writes about his life and work on page 36.

Collaboration is also key to the next generation of up-and-coming double bassists, some of whom we feature on page 44. They share the way they are shaping their own career paths as well as the future of their chosen instrument.

Discovering a new or otherwise believed lost Stradivari would certainly be enough to make headlines in the mainstream news; but what if the item is thought to be the only surviving bow stick have come from the master’s workshop? On page 30 Marie-Ève Geeraert and Jean-Philippe Échard put forward their arguments for the provenance of this amazing discovery. And also in lutherie this issue, on page 66 Hamilton Caswell looks at the legacy of bow makers André Vigneron and his father Joseph Arthur, particularly in relation to double bass bows.

Emma Baker editor

Email me at thestrad@thestrad.com or tweet @TheStradMag