No. 287, March/April 2019

Special Focus: Summer Adventure   Musical Portraits Violinist Yevgeny Kutik commissions 8 miniatures inspired by cherished family memories By Greg Cahill   Go-To Gear Six top players share their instrument setup and favorite gear Compiled by Stephanie Powell   The Pinnacle of the Quartet Literature Contemplating Beethoven’s Op. 131 and its inexhaustible originality By Thomas May   Multi-Style Sojourn A musical tour through Cuba By Stephanie Powell   London Calling Strings’ London correspondent offers an insider’s guide to the best of the British capital By Inge Kjemtrup   Music City Mash-Up A visit to Nashville, Tennessee, will be defined by a delightful blend of musical styles By Bob Doerschuk   Editor’s Note   News & Notes Violinist Tasmin Little retires from concert stage; violinist Nicola Benedetti awarded Britain’s CBE; 5 Minutes with . . . Royal College of Music’s Mark Messenger, and more   Shop Talk Bow maker Rodney Mohr’s love-at-first-sight moment with a Joseph René Lafleu