Rachel Podger, a leading interpreter of Baroque and Classical music, was educated in Germany and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in England.
Performer Biography
Rachel Podger holds honorary positions at the Royal Academy of Music (Michaela Comberti Chair for Baroque Violin) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Jane Hodge Foundation International Chair in Baroque Violin).
Historical Context
Music for solo violin (senza basso) had a distinguished history before Bach, driven by performer virtuosity and a new taste for instrumental music imitating vocal expression.
Performer Biography
Rachel Podger is the Artistic Director of her own festival, the Brecon Baroque Festival, and directs her own ensemble, Brecon Baroque.
Compositional Technique
Violinistic virtuosity in the late 17th century was highly experimental, involving innovations in string tuning (scordatura), bowing techniques, and complex chordal and contrapuntal playing.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in May 2013 at Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, using Bruel & Kjaer 4006 and Schoeps microphones and a DSD Super Audio digital converter.
Performer Biography
Rachel Podger has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Baroque Instrumental Gramophone Award for La Stravaganza in 2003 and the Diapason d'Or de l'année in 2012.
