Rachel Podger is one of the most creative talents to emerge in the field of period performance over the last decade. Rachel has established herself as a leading interpreter of the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. She was educated in Germany and in England at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied with David Takeno and Michaela Comberti.
After beginnings with The Palladian Ensemble and Florilegium, she was leader of The English Concert from 1997 to 2002. In 2004 Rachel began a guest directorship with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, with whom she has toured throughout Europe and the USA. Rachel directed the orchestra at last year's BBC Proms and this year sees performances of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with the OAE and violist Pavlo Beznosiuk. Future plans include Haydn and Mozart Violin Concertos in 2009. Rachel is also in demand as a guest director and has enjoyed collaborations with Arte dei Suonatori (Poland), Musica Angelica and Santa Fe Pro Musica (USA), The Academy of Ancient Music and The European Union Baroque Orchestra.
“ Rachel is a wonder ... she engages with this music as if she were Bach's playmate. ”
Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe, USA
Rachel’s recordings of J.S.Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin and his Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord (with Trevor Pinnock) were both awarded first place by the BBC’s “Building a Library” programme. Rachel's recording of Telemann’s Twelve Fantasies for Solo Violin won the prestigious Diapason d’Or and her 2003 recording of Vivaldi’s 12 violin concertos “La Stravaganza” also received the Diapason d’Or as well as winning the 2003 Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Instrumental recording.
Teaching forms a significant part of Rachel’s musical life; she is Visiting Professor of Baroque Violin and Fellow of The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, she teaches at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, has recently been appointed Professor of Baroque Violin at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, and in September will take up the newly-founded Michaela Comberti Chair for Baroque Violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she is also an Honorary Member RAM.
“…Podger's youth and Baroque experience combine to bring a charm and freshness of approach which suit these delightful pieces perfectly."
The Observer
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Date : July 2008