Overview
Rachel Stroud (baroque violin) and Andrew Arthur (harpsichord) present a fascinating programme highlighting some of J.S. Bach’s innovative instrumental sonatas which feature the harpsichord in an equal partnering ‘obbligato’ role with the violin. Full to the brim with sublime melody, textural variety, virtuosity, intricate contrapuntal dialogue and harmonic depth, these groundbreaking masterworks exemplify the art of dialogue.
Performers
- Rachel Stroud
Rachel Stroud is a violinist, musicologist, and advocate of historical performance. She holds a doctorate from King’s College, Cambridge, where she explored issues of notation and performance in Beethoven’s late string quartets. Rachel’s formative studies included a first-class degree at Cambridge and advanced training in historical performance at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Walter Reiter and Kati Debretzeni.
A versatile performer, Rachel balances academic inquiry with an active freelance career. She has toured with the European Union Baroque Orchestra and appeared as a guest artist with Les Passions de L'Ame in Bern, where she hosted a celebrated salon series on Beethoven’s symphonies. Closer to home, she directs baroque ensembles such as Norwich Baroque, Bury Baroque, and The Geldart Ensemble. She is a founding member of the Cambridge String Quartet.
Rachel is equally committed to education and outreach. She lectures and leads workshops on historical performance internationally and locally, mentors students, and serves as an ABRSM examiner. During lockdown, she curated a popular online listening club dedicated to Beethoven’s quartets, fostering engagement with classical music in a time of isolation.- Andrew Arthur
Andrew Arthur has established a wide-spread reputation as a musician of notable versatility; highly regarded on the international concert platform and equally at home as a conductor, keyboard soloist, accompanist and continuo player, he combines all of these disciplines within his principal teaching position as Fellow, Director of Music and Director of Studies in Music at Trinity Hall. An acknowledged specialist in the music of the Baroque and Classical periods Andrew is best known for his work in the field of historically informed performance and, alongside his educational commitments, he enjoys a busy and varied freelance career that has seen him perform extensively throughout the United Kingdom and on tour across Europe, South Africa, Singapore, Canada and the USA.
Andrew is Associate Director of the internationally renowned period-instrument orchestra, The Hanover Band and is also Musical Director of his own period-instrument ensemble and vocal consort Orpheus Britannicus.
As a keyboard player, Andrew’s engagements encompass organ, harpsichord and fortepiano literature and he has given countless performances of concertos by J.S. Bach, Handel, C.P.E. Bach, Haydn and Mozart. His significant collaborations with other leading period-instrumentalists include duo-partnerships with the eminent violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch, Theresa Caudle and Peter Hanson. As a continuo player, he has been engaged by many of the UK's leading period-instrument orchestras and professional choirs, including participating in Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s celebrated Bach Cantata Pilgrimage with the English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir.
Alongside his busy concert, recording and teaching schedule, Andrew has maintained a life-long commitment to liturgical music, posts including Deputy Master of Music of the Chapels Royal, HM Tower of London. In Cambridge, he is also Coordinator of the University’s Intercollegiate Organ Awards Scheme and Chairman of the Organ Scholars’ Forum.
Programme
Sonata IV for Violin & Obbligato Harpsichord in C minor, BWV 1017
Largo ~ Allegro ~ Adagio ~ Allegro
Cantabile, ma un poco Adagio
from Sonata VI for Violin & Obbligato Harpsichord in G major, BWV 1019a
Sonata II for Violin & Obbligato Harpsichord in A major, BWV 1015
Largo ~ Allegro ~ Adagio ~ Allegro
Details
This concert is open to the public and there is no need to book. Drinks will be served before the concert in the Lee Hall foyer from 18.00.
Admission is free with a cash retiring collection.
For Wolfson members wishing to join the Formal Hall following the recital, booking is required by 12 noon the day before.
Access
This event will take place in the Lee Hall which has step-free access and an accessible toilet.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact our events team - events@wolfson.cam.ac.uk
Music at Wolfson
Under the direction of Lyn Alcántara, Wolfson has a thriving Music Society and College Choir with a full programme of concerts - please sign up to their mailing list to keep up to date with their upcoming events.