As the famed writer and performer Judy Tarling says in her book The Weapons of

Rhetoric, “For centuries, musicians and orators have recognised and encouraged the

use of accent and rhythm as essential for perfect communication. To ‘make music speak’

is the ultimate aim of both composers and performers alike, and in the words of Quantz

were ‘essential to becoming masters of the hearts of their listeners.’’’ The ideas and

concepts of rhetoric have produced music of unrivalled beauty, depth, and intelligence

by many, however the sheer inventiveness of Bach’s music separates him from all others.

From his miraculous G minor Fuga for solo violin, showing how polyphonic music could

be written on a monophonic instrument, to the 6 part Ricercar from his Musical Offering,

ending with his much loved Double Violin Concerto, no other composer in history

wielded the weapons of rhetoric with as much skill, grace and heart as J.S. Bach.

PROGRAM

J.S. Bach Sonata No. 2 for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in D major BWV 1028

(Neal Peres Da Costa, Laura Vaughan)

J.S. Bach 6 part Ricercar from Musical Offering BWV 1079

J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 BWV 1051

— Interval —

J.S. Bach Adagio and Fugue from Sonata No.1 in G minor

BWV 1001 for solo violin

(Madeleine Easton)

J.S. Bach Canons from Musical Offering

J.S. Bach Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor BWV 1043

(Madeleine Easton, Julia Fredersdorff)