The Strad’s November 2016 issue is on sale now, in which Pwyll ap Siôn examines minimalism's seminal works for strings - and how to play them.

Elsewhere in the issue, new music champion Jennifer Koh talks to Gavin Dixon about turning her attention to the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto; we publish a report from the 2016 VSA/Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop, where teams took on two new creative projects; and Tully Potter re-evaluates the legacy of British-born cellist Felix Salmond, who settled in America and taught numerous future stars at both Juilliard and Curtis.

In our regular sections: Masterclass features Pieter Wispelwey, who marks up the sheet music for Brahms’s Cello Sonata op.99; In Focus gives a close-up view of a 1669 cello by Andrea Guarneri; Joseph Curtin gives tips for the best use of varnish space in Trade Secrets; Bangkok luthier Andreas Franke invites us into his workshop in My Space; double bassist Dan Styffe speaks about improving right-hand flexibility in Technique; US Jazz violinist Christian Howes takes us through his Practice Diary; three teachers give their opinion on whether young string players should use fingerboard stickers in Ask the Experts; and Paul Neubauer talks about his relationship with Joan Tower's Wild Purple in Sentimental Work.

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