December 2024

We examine the early years of lutherie in Venice and talk to Chinese violinist Ning Feng about his latest projects. There’s a look back at the life of violinist Ivan Mane Jarnović and a Schubert Masterclass with violist William Coleman of the Kuss Quartet. Plus Harriet Krijgh’s Sentimental Work.

December 2024 Cover

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From this month's magazine

Merchants of Venice: Venetian lutherie

In the 16th century, the Republic of Venice was a hotbed of innovation for stringed instrument makers – and the members of the Linarol family were at the heart of the trade. Stefano Pio explores the archives to reveal their fascinating and often colourful lives and careers

Violinist Ning Feng: Truth and substance

There is seemingly nothing the Chinese-born, Berlin‑based violinist Ning Feng can’t do, from dazzling Paganini interpretations to Bach to 20th‑century concertos. He talks to Michael White about his influences, his future plans and his desire to pass on his musical wisdom to the next generation

The cosmopolitan virtuoso: Ivan Mane Jarnović

Tanja Goldberg examines the life and legacy of the violin virtuoso and composer Ivan Mane Jarnović, who died 220 years ago, and whose influence on the development of the violin concerto and violin playing in the 18th century has long lain unrecognised

Online Exclusive Article

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Life as a violin maker in 16th-century Venice: an exclusive look

In the December 2024 issue we examine the history of the Linarol dynasty, one of the first violin making families in Venice. Here, Stefano Pio provides some context as to the 16th-century environment in which they worked, as well as a semantic discussion on the terms ‘viole’ and ‘lire’

Harriet Krijgh cr Marco Borggreve

Sentimental Work: Harriet Krijgh on Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata

Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata presents a cornucopia of emotions for the Dutch cellist, with the beautiful third movement a particular highlight

Daniela Finkel in her workshop

Five generations of the Weidhaas–Finkel bow making dynasty

Gennady Filimonov continues his survey of the great 20th-century German bow makers with a look at the Weidhaas–Finkel dynasty, which now boasts five generations in the profession

Use this one William Coleman_(c) Rüdiger Schestag

Masterclass: Schubert ‘Death and the Maiden’ String Quartet, second movement

Violist of the Kuss Quartet William Coleman emphasises the importance of creating a narrative arc in this movement, which encompasses a journey of emotional ambivalence

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Making Matters: Speed of sound in bow wood

Why is it that a violin’s sound quality can change so radically with a different bow? Massimo Lucchi explains the principle behind the speed of sound in bow wood

©MariusBurgelman,21

Postcard from Siena: Chigiana International Festival

The star-studded 2024 Chigiana International Festival in Siena stayed true to its century-old international traditions, finds Rita Fernandes

Session report (1)

Session Report: Nemanja Radulović on the sunny side of Bach

Violinist Nemanja Radulović speaks to Tom Stewart about his no-preconceptions approach to arranging and recording some of Bach’s concertos and shorter pieces, and finding just the right balance of novelty and reverence

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Celebrating South African music: the Signum Quartet

Carlos María Solare meets the members of the Signum Quartet towards the end of their two-year-long project to commission and perform brand new works that mark 30 years since the fall of apartheid in South Africa

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Analysis December 2024: Adapting orchestral management for neurodivergent musicians

The proportion of neurodivergent people in the music business is slightly higher than in the population as a whole. How can orchestral management make things easier for those people?