Australian violinist Madeleine Easton is an established star on the international stage, known for her versatility and expertise in the world of violin playing and she will be playing at the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6 in London. (see our cover photo of Madeleine Easton and King Charles III)
Madeleine plays on a 1682 Giovanni Grancino violin.
Madeleine’s career spans 20 years and includes living and working in Europe as a concertmaster and director, but it all started in Lane Cove.
Lane Cove, born-and-bred Madeleine – is the founder and director of Bach Akademie Australia. At the Coronation, she will perform with the English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, her long-time mentor and patron.
King Charles is well known to have always been a passionate classical music lover and plays the cello himself.
He has had a long association with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and has been the Royal Patron of the Monteverdi Choir and orchestra for many years.
“Charles III is the first British monarch for more than 100 years for whom classical music is a passion, and not just a private one.
He’s patron of the Royal College of Music, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra and many other bodies.
“None is closer to his heart than the Monteverdi Choir, founded by his friend Sir John Eliot Gardiner, a gentleman farmer with, conveniently, similar views to Charles.”
– Damian Thompson – The Spectator
Life In Lane Cove
Madeleine attended Lane Cove Public School. Her greatest inspiration was her 5th-grade teacher Mr Ian Evans. Madeleine told ITC; Mr Evans was responsible for inspiring an entire future generation of Lane Cove musicians. Lane Cove Public School has always had a powerful music programme that continues today.
Madeleine’s favourite Lane Cove memories are the many wonderful hours spent in the Lane Cove Library and the Lane Cove Plaza. She was a regular at Bill’s Milk Bar, which used to be the centre of life, at York’s Corner on Tambourine Bay Road. She is still in touch with many of her primary school friends (and even pre-school friends). She will always remember Lane Cove for its strong sense of community.
Music Career
Madeleine studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she graduated with first-class honours. She won a place at the Royal College of Music with Dr Felix Andrievsky graduating with distinction, winning the String Prize for the most outstanding performer.
Throughout her career, a desire to combine period and modern playing have led to unique opportunities for playing with many wonderful and varied ensembles worldwide.
She has appeared as both soloist, concertmaster, and director of some of the worlds most respected ensembles and orchestras.
Engagements include:
- the Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid under Thomas Hengelbrock and Paul McCreesh;
- the Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra of Lisbon;
- the English Baroque Soloists under Sir John Eliot Gardiner;
- the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra;
- The Kings Consort;
- The Gabrieli Consort;
- the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; and
- the Northern Ballet Orchestra of England.
She held the position of concertmaster of The Hanover Band from 2006 – 2017.
She has also performed with:
- the London Philharmonic Orchestra;
- the City of Birmingham Symphony;
- the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment;
- the Academy of Ancient Music; and
- the Orchestra Revolutionaire et Romantique.
Madeleine has also taught and performed regularly at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she directed the Bach Cantata Series from 2009- 2019.
Back in Australia
After returning to Australia in 2016, Madeleine created a dedicated Bach ensemble, ‘Bach Akademie Australia’. It aims to enrich and enhance the musical life of Australia and to perform all of J.S. Bach’s music – showcasing the incredible inventiveness, profundity and joy of his music.
The Akademie is also dedicated to forging close links with academic institutions to establish educational and learning opportunities for young musicians.
Madeleine wrote on www.shareyourlifestory.com.au:
“Bach inspires me because his music makes sense. It is in proportion in so many ways. I remember hearing David Attenborough say at a post-concert reception in London how Bach fits in with nature. ‘Bach’s music exists within nature; it’s so perfect. It is like a human creation that reflects the perfection of nature itself.’ David’s description is accurate. If you break down Bach’s music mathematically, it makes sense—it is in proportion. Bach knew it, and it was in his heart. He had an instinct. You can tell. Every phrase, every interval, is new and fresh as if it has always been there.”
Lane Cove Visits
Madeleine visits Lane Cove more these days, due to her involvement with the Lane Cove Musical and Cultural Centre. Madeleine told ITC that Robyn Mah (Founder and President of LCMCC) has been incredibly supportive of her students.
Where Can You See Bach Akademie Australia Perform?
Bach Akademie Australia returns to the Sydney concert scene this Easter, launching its 2023 “Music in the Castle of Heaven” season, with the master’s towering Missa Brevis in F.
The thrilling program by Australia’s premiere exponents of the composer’s work, led by Bach doyen and violin virtuoso Madeleine Easton, will also perform the Easter Cantata BWV 66 and a tender funeral motet, in concerts at two spectacular and acoustically stunning Sydney venues.
Featuring some of Australia’s finest instrumental and vocal interpreters of early music and supported by an all-star orchestra and choir, Bach Akademie Australia is widely regarded as one of the brightest stars in Australia’s musical firmament.
Says Easton: “Easter is one of the most special times of year, offering us an opportunity to both reflect, celebrate, and come together. In our first concert of 2023, we focus on Bach’s music for Easter. This incredibly important time of year provided him with compositional opportunities unequaled except for Christmas.”
The concerts, on Friday evening March 24 at Paddington’s St Francis of Assisi Church and Sunday afternoon March 26 at Our Lady of Dolours Church in Chatswood, begin with Bach’s ebullient Easter Cantata BWV 66 ‘Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen’, followed by his intimate and tender funeral Motet ‘Komm, Jesu, komm’. Then, crowning the Easter celebration, BAA performs Bach’s brilliant ‘Missa Brevis’ in F major, written in the last decade of the composer’s life. Intended for Good Friday, and containing only the Kyrie and Gloria, it is one of his four short ‘Lutheran Masses’.
“It is a fabulously virtuosic and substantial work of genius, featuring two french horns, oboes and full choir, of itself meriting Bach with the title of one of the greatest who ever lived,” enthuses Easton.
Later concerts – in June, September and November – include an expanded program of 12 performances in all, with a number of new venues including Sydney University’s Great Hall and Glenbrook…as well as a return to City Recital Hall – where last year’s “spectacular” climax was described by Limelight Magazine as “One of the highlights of 2022: Five Stars!”.
Bach Akademie Australia presents
Bach at Easter: Miss Brevis in F
Friday, March 24, 7.30pm
St Francis of Assisi Church
457 Oxford Street Paddington
Sunday, March 26, 2.30pm
Our Lady of Dolours Church
94 Archer Street Chatswood
BOOKINGS www.bachakademieaustralia.com.au 1300 785 377
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