On behalf of Rachel Barton Pine and JAG Entertainment, Education Through Music would like to offer our friends COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION to this concert and will provide you with a special "ticket" to present at the box office. Seating is on a first come basis.

A virtuosic violinist, philanthropist, educator and music detective, Rachel Barton Pine has earned critical acclaim for her many recordings and orchestra performances around the world. On September 15^th, Pine will make her New York City Recital Debut in performance with pianist Matthew Hagle at Symphony Space’s Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. The program includes Pisendel – Sonata for Solo Violin, Mendelssohn – Sonata in F Major, Corigliano – Sonata and Liszt – Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12.  

In mid-September, Rachel will become the first living composer and only woman to be part of the Carl Fischer’s “Masters Collection” series which will publish The Rachel Barton Pine Collection (Original Compositions, Arrangements, Cadenzas, and Editions).  Others in this series are Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler, Joseph Szigetti and Carl Flesch.

 On September 22^nd, Pine will release her 11th recording on the Cedille label, Trio Settecento: A German Bouquet, the second in a planned series of four CDs illustrating the character and complexion of the Baroque era’s music as it developed in various regions of Europe.  Together the Trio Settecento members – including Pine on viola da gamba player, ’cellist  John Mark Rozendaal, and harpsichordist and organist David Schrader – present a program that includes Bach and Buxtehude, as well as rarely heard repertoire by Johann Schop, Johann Heinrich Schmelzer, Georg Muffat, Johann Philipp Krieger, Philipp Heinrich Erlebach, and Johann Georg Pisendel. 

A child prodigy, Pine made her debut with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, and by the age of 14 she was able to significantly contribute to her family’s income.  At 17, she became the first American to win a gold medal at the J.S. Bach International Competition in Leipzig. 

Now in her early 30’s, she’s been credited for being an artistic ambassador, introducing the pleasures of classical music to legions of new listeners.  She often stops by rock radio stations to perform rock and metal songs followed by a classical piece to illustrate how classical can match rock’s intensity and compositional complexity.  Her master classes, school appearances and community outreach events continue to be a smash hit for students and fans of all ages. 

Pine has an acclaimed discography and a passion for discovering and recording lesser known gems as well as the classical warhorses.   Last year, Pine performed the world premiere recording of Clement’s D Major Violin Concerto, plucked from two centuries of obscurity, as well as the Beethoven Concerto, recorded with The Royal Philharmonic conducted by Jose Serebrier.  The cadenzas for the recording, written by Pine, reflect her love of researching violin music and history.   Similarly, one of Pine’s most celebrated projects is the groundbreaking “Violin Concertos by Black Composers from the 18^th and 19^th Centuries.” She’s also recorded the 2007 “American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maude Powell,” showcasing the beautiful Victorian-era repertoire of America’s first internationally acclaimed violinist.  Her 2003 recording of Brahms and Joachim Concertos in collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Carlos Kalmar was nominated for a 2004 GRAMMY Award as “Best Engineered Album, Classical.”

Pine hasn’t forgotten what it was like to grow up in a financially struggling household.  Her Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation includes an instrument loan program, as well as financial grants to help young artists with expenses like accompanists’ fees, sheet music, stage clothes, travel expenses to competitions, and the costs of recording that she remembers struggling to pay for.

Pine is also developing a curriculum for all skill levels featuring string music written by black composers dating back to the 1700’s.   Through Global Heartstrings, she provides basic classical instrument supplies to musicians in developing countries such as Haiti and Nigeria. 

Rachel has been featured on Performance Today, The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, From The Top, in publications around the world and performed at the 1996 Democratic Convention. To see or hear more of her accomplishments please visit www.rachelbartonpine.com.