Brecon Baroque

Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque

There is probably no more inspirational musician working today than Podger" (Gramophone). Over the last two decades Rachel Podger has established herself as a leading interpreter of the Baroque and Classical periods and has recently been described as "the queen of the baroque violin" (Sunday Times). In October 2015 Rachel was the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Royal Academy of Music/Kohn Foundation Bach Prize. She was educated in Germany and in England at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Rachel performs as soloist and guest director of many of the world's top ensembles. She is a passionate educator and engaging presenter. Rachel founded the dynamic ensemble Brecon Baroque in 2007 as resident ensemble at her annual Brecon Baroque Festival. The international line-up consists of some of the leading lights in the period-instrument world as well as some of Rachel's former students who now occupy leading positions in many of Europe's finest ensembles. Playing at Weston on this occasion will be Alison McGillivray cello, Daniele Caminiti lute/guitar and Marcin Swiatkiewicz harpsichord. "This programme brings together three composers whose connections read like a popular comedy! Francesco Maria Veracini (1690-1768) had an argument with Johann Georg Pisendel (1687-1755) and in a rage threw himself from a balcony and damaged his foot. After hearing Veracini perform and being amazed with his technique Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) locked himself away to practise and study. Pisendel studied with Tartini and Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) and must have been a great student because Vivaldi wrote a piece for him. These connections are a reminder that composers often enthusiastically engage with each other both through their music and in their everyday lives."

The programme is expected to include six sonatas for violin and continuo, the fruit of several days' rehearsal at Weston for a forthcoming CD.