Dorchester Arts: Dorset

‘Music from the Bach Family’ – featuring performances by the world-renowned violinist Rachel Podger and by the sixteen voices of Corvus Consort

Sumptuous choral music and virtuosic solo violin combine in a beautiful setting to showcase the incredible musicality of the extensive Bach family. This concert offers a rare opportunity to hear world-renowned violinist Rachel Podger (frequently heard on BBC Radio 3 and across the world) perform a complete Partita and Sonata by J. S. Bach, widely regarded as the greatest music ever written for solo violin.

“There is probably no more inspirational musician working today than Podger”
Gramophone Magazine
“The Corvus Consort is a marvel: glorious voices, expressive singing, highly creative and imaginative programming, inspired direction!”
Simon Carrington, founder member of The King’s Singers

Taking full advantage of the glorious acoustic of St. Mary’s Church, Rachel Podger (the globally-recognised interpreter of music from the late Baroque era) performs two of Bach’s greatest works for solo violin. Both the Sonata No. 1 and Partita No. 3 showcase Bach’s masterful writing for the violin, with meticulously-constructed lines carving out soaring melodies and eloquent harmonies.
These spellbinding performances are each bookended with beautiful choral music by J. S. Bach and other members of his highly-musical family, sung by the sixteen glorious voices of the Corvus Consort, directed by Freddie Crowley. Featuring J. S. Bach’s most famous choral motet Jesu, meine Freude, a long-standing favourite with audiences worldwide, the programme also includes lesser-known works by his brilliantly-talented older cousins Johann Michael and Johann Christoph, including the heartrendingly beautiful Herr, ich warte auf dein Heil.

Johann Michael Bach: Herr, ich warte auf dein Heil
Johann Sebastian Bach: Ich lasse dich nicht, BWV Anh. 159
Johann Michael Bach: Ich weiss das mein Erlöser lebt
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata No. 1 for solo violin in G minor, BWV 1001
Johann Christoph Bach: Merk auf, mein Herz

Johann Michael Bach: Halt, was du hast
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 for solo violin in E major, BWV 1006
Johann Sebastian Bach: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227