Meeting Alexander Markov

Yesterday we met the superb Violinist, Alexander Markov, at a Masterclass as part of the Swaledale Festival (he is freshly in from New York just for this). We were amazed by Caroline Heard, one of the students taking part; she had her 14th birthday yesterday and played a challenging Serasate piece making a big impression on everyone; this could be a name to watch. Alexander has kindly agreed to meet us this evening to play the latest Hansell violins, so our good friend Jonathan Sparey, formerly of the Fitzwilliam Quartet, is coming this morning to put the violins through their final paces.  Alexander is playing Paganini tonight in Grinton and we caught a little taste yesterday afternoon which really whetted our appetite. He's a really warm guy and was wonderful with the young musicians.