Rachel Podger

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Rachel Podger is an English violinist specialising in the performance of baroque music. She often conducts baroque orchestras from the violin.

She was born in England but educated at a German Steiner school. She returned to study first with Perry Hart, then at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with David Takeno, Pauline Scott and Micaela Comberti. During her studies she co-founded baroque chamber groups The Palladian Ensemble and Florilegium, and worked with period instrument ensembles such as New London Consort, Gabrieli Consort and London Baroque.

She was concert master of The English Concert from 1997 to 2002, touring extensively as leader and soloist. In 2004 she began a guest directorship of The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, opening with a tour in the USA with Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. She also works as a guest director with Arte dei Suonatori (Poland), Musica Angelica (USA) and Santa Fe Pro Musica (USA), and as soloist with The Academy of Ancient Music.

She is a professor of baroque violin at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.


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