Double bassist Leon Bosch on the South African Strings Foundation

Although something of a well-kept secret, South Africa’s long tradition of excellent string teaching is expressed through a seemingly endless supply of exemplary South African musicians who occupy eminent positions in orchestras and ensembles around the world. Some of the musicians who have contributed to classical music in the UK include the violist Cecil Aronowitz (1916–78), a founder member of the Melos Ensemble; Peter Carter (b.1935), who led the Allegri Quartet; David Juritz (b.1957), previously leader of the London Mozart Players and the Maggini Quartet; Gina McCormack (b.1963), who led the Sorrell and Brodsky quartets; Pieter Schoeman (b.1969), who currently leads the London Philharmonic Orchestra; violist Louise Lansdown (b.1971), currently head of strings at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire; Rudi de Groote (b.1974), principal cello of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Gary Pomeroy (b.1982), violist of the Heath Quartet; and Zoë Beyers (b.1982), who leads both the BBC Philharmonic and the English Symphony Orchestra…