The Strad March 2017 issue is on sale now, in which Antipodean violinist and leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Richard Tognetti discusses the influences that inform his work, in conversation with Chloe Cutts.

Elsewhere in the issue, players including Tasmin Little, Maxim Rysanov and Daniel Müller-Schott tell Charlotte Smith how they go about finding the perfect bow for their instrument; Rachel Barton Pine discusses recording the violin concertos of Elgar and Bruch with Christian Lloyd; Eric Wen looks back at the life of US violinist Oscar Shumsky, 100 years after his birth; and Philip Kass investigates the career of the hugely influential lutheir, Pietro Guarneri of Mantua.

In our regular sections: Masterclass features double bassist Leon Bosch, who marks up the sheet music for Dragonetti’s 'Famous Solo'; In Focus gives a close-up view of an 1844 violin by Thomas Hardie; Hans Johannsson shares his personal approach to varnishing in Trade Secrets; Cremona-based luthier Borja Bernabeu invites us into his workshop in My Space; cellist Antonio Lysy gives advice on honing intonation in Technique; Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses shares memories and experiences in Life Lessons; an amateur player asks for advice on taking up the violin again as an adult in Ask the Experts; and violinist Peter Herresthal talks about his relationship with Kaija Saariaho's violin concerto Graal thétre in Sentimental Work.

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