I have a good-sized interview with Steven Isserlis in the new issue of the JC. You can hear him on Sunday afternoon at the Proms, when he'll be playing in the astonishing reconstruction of the Last Night of the Proms 1910 - admission free. Above, listen to him playing Schumann's Abendlied, arranged by Joachim, with Denes Varjon at the piano - it is mesmerisingly beautiful (so please excuse the 92ndStY's introductory jingle).

Of course I disapprove terribly of favouritism, but there's not much point pretending that Isserlis isn't "my favourite cellist" because he is. You only have to listen to that Schumann or his Bach Solo Suites (on Hyperion) to hear why. His latest CD, ReVisions (on Bis), also shows those stand-out qualities, notably a sound that's unmistakeably his - part the gut strings, part just sheer guts of the richest and most emotionally honest variety, focusing on stillness and reflection as much as or more than on extrovert flair. 

ReVisions is a fascinating programme of works by Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev and Bloch, each of which has been orchestrated by someone other than the composer. The conductor, the truly great Gabor Takacs-Nagy, is someone we'll be hearing from much more in this country very soon since he is to take over as chief conductor of the Manchester Camerata. He's one of the most inspirational musicians I've ever encountered, and I do know a few. 

We are all much saddened to learn of the death of Isserlis's wife, Pauline, who passed away in June after a long struggle with cancer. ReVisions is dedicated to her memory.

UPDATE: In case you were wondering about the origins of that Schumann, oboist Nick Daniel has just written in to tell me that it was originally composed for piano duet, was then arranged for oboe and piano by Joachim, and was left as a thank-you in a visitors' book.

DANIEL HITCHENS 

Jasmina Metwaly, the winner of the 2010 Open Prize for video painting, says of her work: ‘It allows me to be in control, but I also lose control over the medium.' That tension is characteristic of video painting, which differs in important ways from conventional video art. No editing or artistic manipulation is allowed, and the camera view is from a fixed point.

ALEXANDER MELEAGROU-HITCHENS 

A local Surrey newspaper has reported that extremists are disseminating leaflets in the local area, urging Muslims to kill the Ahmadiyya.

I have a piece in today's Independent about the great Ryanair fiddle problem which I hope puts across some of the crucial points that people who've never faced the issue usually don't 'get'. Here it is.

A violinist friend, Simon Hewitt Jones, has just been in touch to point out that the department of transport issues security guidelines that advise that it is absolutely fine to carry an instrument as well as hand-luggage aboard an aircraft, and that the TSA in the States offers similar advice. Airlines should cooperate with these national policies.

Another violinist friend, Philippe Graffin, makes the point that a violin case strapped into a seat is actually too small to be secure there. It's much safer in the overhead compartment, cushioned by coats.

The really annoying thing about all this - and the threat it would pose to the entire music world should other airlines be unwise enough to follow suit - is that it is so desperately unnecessary.

Megatenor Jonas Kaufmann's next album is of Verismo arias - from 'Cav & Pag' et al. Of course it's going to be available in Germany well before being released here, something that seems a tad bizarre in these days of globalisation - especially as if we can't wait for it we can just order it online from the German branch of Amazon. Do you ever get the feeling that technology moves a great deal faster than people - despite being created by them?

Here's a sneak preview which Decca has just popped onto Youtube. Enjoy.