Brecon Baroque . Rachel Podger

"Not Bach's violin concertos again", you may think. But don't, because this concert with Baroque violinist Rachel Podger comes up with some fine surprises. Rachel Podger is at the same time artistic director of Brecon Baroque, an extremely flexible and subtle ensemble that pays great attention to dynamic gradation and phrasing. She named the ensemble after her place of birth - Brecon in Wales - where she organizes the annual Brecon Baroque Festival. The ensemble consists of a core of soloists, including violinist Bojan Cicic and cellist Alison McGillivray. Rachel's own playing sets the sparks flying, as you may have experienced a few years ago when, single-handedly, she enraptured the Blue Hall - and that on gut strings! Bach's violin concertos are here certainly in good hands. Oboist Alex(andra) Bellamy is equally fired up and is a worthy partner in the 'Concerto for Violin and Oboe'. This is the original version of the celebrated 'Double Concerto', the scoring yet a further demonstration of Bach's amazing rhythmic and melodic power. Also on the programme is Telemann's ear-caressing 'Concerto for Three Violins'.