The Strad’s editor Emma Baker introduces the May 2025 issue, in which US violinist Philippe Quint delves into his deeply personal new album
When violinist Philippe Quint was just 17, he defected from the Soviet Union to a new life playing in New York and studying at the Juilliard School. Now aged 51, the US-based violinist continues to show the same curiosity and courage as he explores the musical world around him. He speaks to Rita Fernandes about his latest recording, which features the music of Errollyn Wallen, Lera Auerbach, and his own mother Lora Kvint, as well as the strict Soviet music education system that he experienced, and his own move into film and theatrical pursuits.
Seventy years ago, on 4 May 1955, the great Romanian violinist and composer George Enescu died at the age of 73. To mark this anniversary, Tully Potter looks at the life of this extraordinary and versatile musician (he also played the piano, conducted and mentored several great players including Yehudi Menuhin, Arthur Grumiaux and Ida Haendel). Additionally, the George Enescu National Museum in Bucharest has generously shared wonderful photographs of Enescu at key moments in his life, including some in the company of fellow musical legends such as Alfred Cortot, Fritz Kreisler and Jacques Thibaud.
Our other historical focus this issue is on the 1732 Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin known as the ‘Baron d’Erlanger’. Florian Leonhard delves into the history of both the instrument and its construction at what was the start of the most prolific period for ‘del Gesù’, as well as the life of the Baron whose name it bears.
How can modern-day luthiers select the best tonewood for their instruments? It is a question that has never been answered definitively, but Jiri Povolny takes a deep dive into the evidence, which (among other factors) involves analyses of the delicate balance between the density and elasticity of the wood in question. Using his data he attempts to formulate some guidelines that could help makers find the best spruce for the job.
Emma Baker editor
Email me at thestrad@thestrad.com or tweet @TheStradMag
Issue summary
US violinist Philippe Quint discusses his new album and we examine the 1732 ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ violin by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’. There’s a look at string trios and the life of George Enescu, and Alina Ibragimova reveals her Sentimental Work. Plus a Mozart Masterclass with Tobias Feldmann.
Contents
PHILIPPE QUINT The US violinist has just released Milestones, an album of works with particularly personal meaning to him. He tells Rita Fernandes how it all came about
‘BARON D’ERLANGER’ GUARNERI ‘DEL GESÙ’ 1732 Florian Leonhard examines one of the lesser-known violins by the great luthier and explores the life of its namesake, the collector Frédéric Émile d’Erlanger
GEORGE ENESCU One of the best-known Romanian composers, he was also an accomplished violinist, pianist, conductor and pedagogue. Tully Potter looks back at his career
STRING TRIOS Jacqueline Vanasse speaks to members of the Goldberg, Arnold, Pasquier and Boccherini trios to discover what makes this musical form unique
SESSION REPORT US cellist Zlatomir Fung talks to Peter Quantrill about his new album based around operatic works by Janáček, Wagner, Tchaikovsky and more
TONEWOOD SELECTION From density to stiffness, there are myriad variables that luthiers need to take into account. Jiri Povolny presents a guide to finding the best spruce for the job
IN FOCUS Sean Bishop examines a 1753 viola by Carlo Antonio Testore
TRADE SECRETS Bow maker Sarah Bystrom gives her method for making pearl eyes
MY SPACE Wai Yong Tham of Singapore
MAKING MATTERS Interpreting the various symbols on 19th-century French bows
MASTERCLASS Tobias Feldmann on the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto no.4
TECHNIQUE US violinist Charles Castleman hands on tips about bow distribution
LIFE LESSONS Roberto Díaz, president of the Curtis Institute of Music, gives his thoughts
OPINION Should violinists – and indeed other string players – be properly called ‘bowists’?
POSTCARD FROM GATESHEAD The Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions
FROM THE ARCHIVE From May 1925
SENTIMENTAL WORK Alina Ibragimova reveals her love for Schumann’s Violin Sonata no.2
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