The Strad’s July 2015 issue is on sale now in which we celebrate the 70th birthday of the Borodin Quartet - Julian Haylock talks to the Russian ensemble's current line-up about retaining its distinctive sound throughout the decades.

Elsewhere in the the issue, Pauline Harding investigates how theatrical training can help string tutors and students to communicate better in the classroom in the second part of her Acting and Music feature; Andrew Mellor delves into the story of Neilsen's unusual two-movement Violin Concerto; and Philip Kass and Andrea Zanrè examine the life and works of Tommaso Balestrieri, the most prolific violin maker of 18th-century Mantua.

In our regular sections: In Focus gives a close-up view of the 1744 'de Bériot' violin by Guarneri, del Gesù; Christopher Jacobydiscusses his method for laying out the corners of a violin in Trade Secrets; Cremona-based luthier Edgar Russ invites us into his workshop in My Space; cellist Alexander Baillie guides us through Britten's First Solo Cello Suite op.72 in Masterclass; viola professor Lawrence Wheeler gives tips on playing spiccato in Technique; double bassist Chi-chi Nwanokutakes us through her Practice Diary; tutors give their opinions on whether players should separate technique and musicality when preparing for a performance in Ask the Experts; and cellist Julian Lloyd Webber talks about Victor Herbert's Cello Concerto no.2 as his Sentimental Work.

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