³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

It is an undisputed fact that out of necessity, a lot of our free time is taken up with learning music for the next patch of work. I am particularly excited to be involved in Strauss' Metamorphosen next week. A work for 23 solo strings, I have never had the opportunity to learn the work before and have been listening to it a lot this week. I guarantee you will hear more of this project next week as it is part of a rather gorgeous programme that will be broadcast live on Wednesday 22 February from Hoddinott Hall.

At present, for me, time off can mean only one thing - the continuation of the Great Irish Bow Hunt 2012. I may rename this the Great Stress of 2012. It's just so difficult. You have to weigh up all the factors: the playability of the bow now (and remember, every single person will have a very different concept of the ideal bow); the necessity to, at the very least, get your money back should you sell it on in the future; how much do you have in your bank account; how much of a loan are you willing to take.

Outside of the profession, people may balk at the money string players are prepared to pay for instruments and bows, but these beautiful pieces of craftsmanship are not just the tools of our trade. Your instrument and your bow are so intimately connected to your playing and how confident you feel on the concert platform - without wanting to sound too philosophical about the issue, they are, in essence, an extension of yourself.

I am only a month in to my search in earnest for a new/old bow, but I am finding it very stressful and I am certain everyone is sick of me talking about it already. All I can say is thank goodness I'm not searching for a new instrument as well!