Isabelle Faust, Violin

Written over the course of twenty years in the early 1700s, Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin have undergone three centuries of dogged reinvention, rediscovery, and reinterpretation. They are required at every conservatory audition, they are recorded by every major violinist, and they are generally considered an essay on the instrument’s expressive and technical capabilities. How, after all these years, can we still find so many nooks and crannies in this cryptic and beautiful cycle? Violinist Isabelle Faust, whose playing is characterized by “passion, grit and electricity” (The New York Times), is perhaps best known for her probing renditions of Bach. She visits Princeton with a very special performance of all six Sonatas and Partitas. In the spirit of “Performances Up Close” this concert will take place in the round at the Princeton University Chapel staged and lit dramatically to reflect the mood and inspiration of the music’s spiritual origins. Prepare to hear Bach’s beloved language with fresh ears. Please note that the Princeton University Chapel will be seated and configured for this special event, so that every person can see and hear the artist up close.  This means that tickets to this event will be limited to no more than 500 seats.