In this episode of Talking Bach, Artistic Director Madeleine Easton takes listeners on a journey through The Art of Violin—a sweeping exploration of the instrument’s origins, evolution, and enduring allure. From the medieval rabab and rebec to the golden age of Cremonese violin-making, Madeleine traces how the violin rose to prominence as the most expressive and beloved instrument in Western music. Along the way, she highlights the great composers and virtuosi who shaped its voice—Vivaldi, Handel, Bach, Paganini, Kreisler, and many more—revealing how performers and composers worked hand in hand to expand the violin’s technical and emotional possibilities. With vivid historical insights, musical examples, and reflections on performance, this episode celebrates the artistry of both violin makers and violinists, and the timeless music they brought into the world

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.

In this episode of Talking Bach, Artistic Director Madeleine Easton is joined by soprano Susannah Lawergren and principal flautist Mikaela Oberg to discuss the “Class of ’85.” The odds are slim that three musicians of global significance could be born in the same year, but in 1685, that’s exactly what happened. Domenico Scarlatti, Georg Frideric Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach—known as the Class of ’85—have had an overwhelming and enduring influence on music.   This program features Handel’s rich Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 6 No. 7; Domenico Scarlatti’s Salve Regina, performed by mezzo-soprano Hannah Fraser; and J.S. Bach’s magnificent secular cantata Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209, featuring soprano Susannah Lawergren. Together, these works celebrate the supreme craftsmanship, versatility, and imagination of these three titans of Western classical music.

  Madeleine Easton’s guest is none other than the Internationally recognised Grammy nominated American Countertenor Reginald Mobley.  In anticipation of Bach Akademie Australia’s first national tour with Reginald as soloist, Mobley talks about growing up in Gainesville Florida, his wanting to be a visual artist before discovering that he had voice which was was to take him all around the world, and finally here to Australia.   

Artistic Director Madeleine Easton is joined by Australia’s own Marko Sever, virtuoso organist to talk about J.S. Bach’s remarkable journey on foot of over 400kms to hear his idol Buxtehude. They discuss what kind of a person it takes to attempt such a huge feat of endurance completely on your own, his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, what he gained from the experience, and the enduring legacy for all music as a result.     

In this month’s edition of Talking Bach, Madeleine Easton interviews Australian Pianist Phillip Shovk. Phillip is not only one of Australia’s most celebrated pianists, but is also an extremely skilled chess player, attaining a world ranking. Madeleine and Phillip discuss how the mind of a genius works through the music of J.S. Bach, whose works Phillip is deeply familiar, in the run up to Bach Akademie Australia’s next concert series: 'Bach - the mind of a Genius'    

Roland is one of Australia’s most respected performers, academics and artistic directors. His directorship of the Song Company over many years saw the ensemble reach heights of fame and artistic excellence never before achieved. His celebrated tenure as artistic director of the Canberra International Music Festival has won him legions of fans throughout the country. 2024 is his last year I this role, however we are celebrating him and this years festival with this podcast, and looking forward to presenting the 6 masterpieces that are Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos.  

 She explores the meaning of the word itself, and takes a deep dive into the program which includes Bach’s Cantata BWV 39 ‘Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot’, dubbed Bach’s ‘refugee’ cantata, his harpsichord concerto in E which has been arranged for violin by Kati Debrezeni, and finally his Cantata BWV 147 ‘Herz und Mund, und Tat und Leben’. Madeleine takes us through the history of these works plus explores just why Bach was the greatest musical benefactor of all to us, his grateful listeners.    

In episode 2 of ’Talking Bach’, Artistic Director Madeleine Easton talks to one of Australia’s most important figures in the history of Bach in Australia. Dr Hans Schroeder immigrated to Australia in 1990 and discovered the music of Bach which changed his life and destiny. The inspiration he found in Bach’s music caused him to found the Australian Bach Society which stands as a nation wide beacon of knowledge, scholarship and performances of the great J.S. Bach. Dr Hans talks about his remarkable life and his legacy of the Australian Bach Society.  

Welcome to our first podcast of 2024! This year you’ll be getting a podcast every month hosted by Artistic Director Madeleine Easton. She’ll be interviewing a huge range of personalities including internationally famous musicians who have close relationships with Bach, as well as scholars and professionals from all walks of life who relate to Bach’s genius. In our first podcast of 2024, Madeleine Easton interviews Olivia Ansell, the Artistic Director of the Sydney Festival along side the multi-instrumentalist and composer Benjamin Skepper. Olivia and Benjamin have co-curated a festival within a festival titled ’TEMPERAMENT’ - a week-long celebration and deconstruction of Bach, paying homage to the revolutionary advances his music enabled and its influence on modern composers. They have invited Bach Akademie Australia to kick off this exciting week of Bach in this year’s Sydney Festival with 2 performances on the 23rd and 24th of January.   

Join Artistic Director Madeleine Easton in conversation with indigenous Australian composer Troy Russell as he takes us on a journey through his life, his stories, family connections, and his inspiration for composing his new work ‘Clans’ that will be premiered in our next concert series  ‘Bach - A Child of the Stars’.  

In this episode of Talking Bach, Artistic Director Madeleine Easton’s guest is none other than Dr Norman Swan, the incredibly popular host of the ABC’s Health Report, Coronacast and presenter of many wonderful television series and documentaries. Dr Swan kept us all very well informed throughout the pandemic and was a voice of reason and comfort throughout. Norman discusses all things pandemics with Madeleine, delving into the world of how diseases have affected human life, colonisation, and musicians throughout the centuries, and continue to do so today.

My guest today is a name many who revere Bach will know, none other than Professor Peter Wollny. Professor Wollny is a German musicologist, a Bach scholar who has contributed to and served the Bach Archive Leipzig since 1993, and as its director from 2014. Wollny has contributed to the Neue Bach-Ausgabe, and has been an editor of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: The Complete Works. He has been professor at the University of Leipzig, and teaches internationally. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Uppsala and is considered one of the foremost experts of J.S Bach’s music worldwide.

My guest today is Dr Brendan New. Brendan New is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the field of child protection and mental health for over 15 years and has a deep commitment to working with vulnerable children and families. Brendan currently divides his time between his clinical practice in a public child mental health service in Western Sydney and varying teaching roles around NSW. He is a firm believer in the importance of reflective practice and the benefits of learning from others, and wherever possible incorporates these principles into his teaching. In this episode, Brendan helps us explore the question of Nature vs nurture from a medical point of view, exploring the ramifications of childhood trauma, which J.S Bach certainly suffered, and how that can manifest in genius or not.

Russell Harcourt is a graduate of both the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Royal Academy of Music (MA with Distinction in Opera Performance). During his time in London, Russell furthered his studies Australia’s own Yvonne Kenny, was an Associate of the Young Artists’ Program at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and was made an Alumnus of the Britten–Pears Young Artist Program. Since returning to Australia, Russell has appeared as soloist with ensembles such as Pinchgut Opera, opera Australia and Bach Akademie Australia.

Artistic Director Madeleine Easton interviews Jonathan Horton QC, one of Australia's most distinguished legal brains. A musician in his own right, Jonathan splits his life equally between the worlds of music and law, and will be joining Madeleine on stage as guest presenter alongside the eminent Australian Actor Jonathan Biggins AM this weekend for 'The Weapons of Rhetoric' concert series. Join Madeleine and Jonathan for a fascinating conversation exploring the benefits that a knowledge of rhetoric and dialogue can bring to us all in our lives.

Artistic Director Madeleine Easton interviews Julia Fredersdorff, one of Australia's most well known baroque violinists and Artistic Director/founder of the Van Diemen's Band. Madeleine and Julia chat about all things Bach, the violin and forming their own ensembles here in Australia after both living and working in Europe, but most of all, what Bach's music means to them.