The July issue of The Strad is on sale now, in which we interview Latvian violinist Baiba Skride about recording the Szymanowski concertos.

The issue also includes: commissioning an instrument's sound ? how players specify tonal requests for luthiers when ordering a new instrument to be made; French jazz violinistDidier Lockwood on 40 years of stylistic discovery; soloists and chamber musicians on premiering new music; and a tribute to British violist John White by fellow Alberni Quartet founder Dennis Simons.

In our regular sections: In Focus gives a close-up view of a 1895 violin by Eugenio Degani; John Gosling discusses how to treat woodworm damage in Trade Secrets; London-based maker Philip Ihle invites us into his workshop in My Space; Arto Noras guides us through Penderecki's Suite for Solo Cello in Masterclass; Simon Fischer emphasises the importance of practising one-octave arpeggios in Basics; violin and viola pedagogue Jane Metcalfe discusses how harmonics and singing can help to build a sound technique in Ask the Teacher; Russian-Armenian cellist Karine Georgian takes us through her Practice Diary; and four specialists advise how to make the most of limited practice time in Ask the Experts.

Plus, we bring you news of the latest competitions, products and auctions, and comprehensive reviews of concerts, CDs and books.