Rachel Podger Concerts

Experience Rachel Podger

Rachel Podger is a British Baroque violinist, renowned for her historically informed performance practice and vibrant interpretations. Initially self-taught, she studied with Sigiswald Kuijken and Nicolaus Harnoncourt, profoundly shaping her approach to early music. Podger doesn’t simply *play* Baroque music; she reconstructs it, meticulously researching original instruments, bowing techniques, and ornamentation practices to deliver performances as close as possible to the composer’s intent.

She founded Brecon Baroque in 2011, an ensemble consistently praised for its energy and precision. Prior to that, she was a principal violinist with The English Concert and Orchestre des Arts Florissants. Podger's extensive discography includes lauded recordings of Bach’s Sonatas & Partitas (winning a Gramophone Award in 2018), Vivaldi’s *The Four Seasons*, and Handel’s operas.

Notably, she was the first modern violinist permitted to play the Stradivari “Kreisler” violin (1733) previously owned by Fritz Kreisler. Her commitment extends beyond performance; she actively teaches and mentors young musicians, furthering the understanding of Baroque performance practice globally.