The November issue of The Strad is on sale now †• a North America specialfeaturing Canadian violinist James Ehnes on his approach to practice, performance and expanding his repertoire.

We also look back over the life of New York-based bow maker William Salchow, who died in May this year; explore the initiatives dedicated to expanding the representation of minorities in US orchestras; examine the rich recording history of Bernstein's Serenade, written 60 years ago; and look at new research into the unusual business partnership of luthiers Antonio Zanotti and Camillo Camilli.

Plus the issue also includes the Cremona 2014 supplement, including a preview of next year's 'Triennale' making competition and a round-up of events at the city's new Museo del Violino.

In our regular sections: In Focus gives a close-up view of a 1927 violin by Ignaz Anton Lutz; Michael Köberling discusses his method for making and sharpening card scrapers in Trade Secrets; New Zealand-based maker Noel Sweetman invites us into his workshop in My Space; Natalie Clein guides us through Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto no.1 in Masterclass; Simon Fischer discusses intonation in Basics; viola teacher Barbara Beechey discusses how to help students perfect playing in high positions in Ask the Teacher; cellist Raphael Wallfisch takes us through his Practice Diary; and four performers and teachers advise on cutting down extraneous body movement when playing in Ask the Experts.

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