Bach & The Virtuoso Violin

Edwin Huizinga, solo Baroque violin;
Lynn Tetenbaum, viola da gamba obbligato
Linda Burman-Hall, harpsichord

The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival presents some of the greatest music for solo violin from the Baroque period. Our upcoming concert features music for violin by J. S. Bach and H. I. F. Biber, and concludes with Sonatas for violin, viola da gamba, and continuo by Buxtehude.

Biber's Passacaglia for solo violin in g minor is among the most important violin works prior to Bach. His inventive and lyrical violin compositions extended the instrument's technical and expressive capabilities beyond what was previously possible, providing the foundation for Bach's unaccompanied violin pieces.

According to violinist Joshua Bell, Bach's well-known Chaconne is, "not just one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, but one of the greatest achievements of any man in history. It's a spiritually powerful piece, emotionally powerful, structurally perfect." It is also a piece that has inspired numerous transcriptions for several instruments, accompanying parts, as well as works of literature.

Dietrich Buxtehude was a key figure of the north German instrumental repertory for violin, infusing the German trio sonata with the highly contrasted and dramatic instrumental language of the organ fantasia, letting imagination and virtuosity reign.

Edwin Huizinga, who appeared with the Festival last year, is establishing himself as one of North America’s most versatile violinists. Come and experience this music, both familiar and less often heard, played by a virtuosos musician.

A pre-concert talk begins 45 minutes before each concert.