PODGER RACHEL

Fantasia 1 in B-flat Major TWV 40:14 Fantasia 2 in G Major TWV 40:15 Fantasia 3 in F Minor TWV 40:16 Fantasia 4 in D Major TWV 40:17 Fantasia 5 in A Major TWV 40:18 Fantasia 6 in E Minor TWV 40:19 Fantasia 7 in E-flat Major TWV 40:20 Fantasia 8 in E Major TWV 40:21 Fantasia 9 in B Minor TWV 40:22 Fantasia 10 in D Major TWV 40:23 Fantasia 11 in F Major TWV 40:24 Fantasia 12 in A Minor TWV 40:25

Rachel Podger was educated in Germany and in England at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied with David Takeno and Michaela Comberti. During her time in London Rachel co-founded two ensembles specialising in the music of the Baroque, Florilegium and The Palladian Ensemble, both of which have achieved international success as touring and recording artists. In 1997 Rachel was appointed leader of The English Concert with whom she continues to tour throughout the world, often as a soloist. Rachels first solo recordings (for Channel Classics), of J.S.Bachs Sonatas and Partitas, were released in 1999 to great critical acclaim. These discs were followed, in 2001, by Bachs Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, with Trevor Pinnock, again to critical acclaim. Both recordings were awarded first place by the BBCs "Building a Library" programme. Rachels 2002 release, Telemanns Twelve Fantasies for Solo Violin, recently won the prestigious Diapason dOr. Forthcoming releases include Vivaldis 12 Concertos "La Stravaganza" Opus 4 (Spring 2003) with the exciting, young, Polish orchestra Arte dei Suonatori and Rameau with Trevor Pinnock and Jonathan Manson (October 2002). Future plans include discs of solo violin repertoire by Biber, Pisendel, Walther and Westhoff as well as Mozart Sonatas with Trevor Pinnock. As a recitalist Rachel enjoys an increasingly busy career; during the coming season she will give solo concerts in America, Germany, England, Holland and Korea. Her work as guest director and concerto soloist will again take her to America and Poland. Rachel will also join Andrew Manze for double concertos by Bach and Torelli as well as chamber music recitals. Rachel is Professor of Baroque Violin at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She also teaches at the Innsbruck Sommer Akademie in Austria.

Awards: Diapason dOr

() she dances her way easily and gracefully through the music () () clean intonation, pleasingly resonant tone and a palpable sense of natural and spontaneous enjoyment. () Gramophone () Podgers tone is warm and it is a manner of sensitive declamation that I find convincing and affecting () BBC Music Magasine () Deze violiste kan ik 2002 zonder enige opsmuk de 12 Fantasien voor soloviool op de plaat zetten. () () Podger laat er geen misverstand over bestaan dat Telemann minstens zo inventief was als zijn lichtend voorbeeld J.S. Bach Parool () Podger speelt het allemaal met zwier en gevoel voor theater en dat is door de technici van Channel prachtig vastgelegd. () Klassieke Zaken () Rachel Podger zet 12 mooie miniatuurtjes neer () Luister () Podger spielt die Barockvioline so sinnlich, so blut- und so glutvoll, wie man es sonst bei diesem Instrument nicht unbedingt gewohn ist () Rondo () Fantastisch voor wie eens wat anders wil horen dan Bachs sonates en partitas () vividly played () Turoks Choice Performace/Sound ***** () she naturally flows from one inventive musical thought to the next with never a rushed moment. () Wet paint () Podger certainly shows both the technique and the temper for these works, in carefull shaped and thoughtful performances. () American Record Guide () Strongly recommended. Fanfare