I have a theory that musicians write in exactly the same style that they play their instruments. I’m pleased to see it proven, somewhat unscientifically, by the new book from Takács Quartet first violinist Edward Dusinberre, Beethoven for a Later Age. In this engaging and insightful account of his life with the group and with the composer’s quartets, Dusinberre shows himself to be as thoughtful, sincere and open a writer as he is a violinist. He also proves adept at counterpo

Perfectionism in music is a modern scourge, and Peter Cropper, who died in May, demonstrated that it is a distracting priority for musicians The word ‘unique’ is one of the most over-used in the English language; the frequent addition of ‘very’, the most annoyingly redundant. The fact is that most of us are replaceable. Whether we’re musicians, teachers, writers or editors, there’s usually someone else around the corner who will do what we do just as well as us. Peter Cropper