The Art of Violin

In this episode of Talking Bach, Artistic Director Madeleine Easton is joined by violinists Simone Slattery and Rafael Font to explore The Art of Violin—a program that delves into the origins, evolution, and expressive power of the violin during the Baroque period. Together, they discuss the enduring fascination with this singular instrument, tracing its journey from its earliest incarnations to the virtuosic solo works of Vivaldi, Leclair, Handel, Telemann, and J.S. Bach. Through personal stories, historical insights, and reflections on performance practice, this conversation offers a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and creativity of Baroque composers who redefined the violin’s potential. With works that feel like musical time travel, the episode celebrates the violin’s unique voice and its place at the heart of Western music’s past, present, and future. Chapters (00:00:00) - Talking Bach (00:01:23) - Talking Bach (00:01:39) - The Art of the Violin (00:08:15) - Simone On Her Journey to the Violin (00:13:42) - The story of the Venezuelan violinist (00:19:12) - The Discovery of the Suzuki Method (00:25:28) - The Secret to the Violin's Success (00:31:36) - The Claude Pierre Violin (00:37:23) - The Baroque Violin (00:43:03) - The story of Grancino Viola (00:48:16) - The Baroque Violin (00:50:28) - The Voice of Baroque Violists (00:51:28) - Handel and Telemann violin concertos (00:57:43) - Jean Marie Leclerc Violin Concerto (01:01:11) - Bach's violin concertos (01:03:23) - Bach Academy Australia