Monday Jan 08, 2024

Rachel Barton Pine, Violin Virtuoso Bridging Boundaries

Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes is joined by the remarkable violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine on One Symphony. Dive into Rachel's intriguing blend of genres from her early beginnings with the violin and her Chicago Symphony debut, to her exploration of heavy metal and traditional fiddling styles. Rachel shares how experience with modern composers enhances her interpretation of historical pieces, and dishes about her exhilarating experience with premiering Earl Maneein's Dependent Arising. The talk also includes a deep dive into her latest album featuring Shostakovich's first violin concerto and the origin of her iconic Del Gesù violin. The interview concludes with her love for Chicago.

Violinist Rachel Barton Pine performs with the world's leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Vienna Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, and Camerata Salzburg. She has appeared on The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, PBS NewsHour, A Prairie Home Companion, and NPR’s Tiny Desk. During the pandemic, she performed the entire solo violin part of 24 different violin concertos for her live, weekly series “24 in 24: Concertos from the Inside.”

Her RBP Foundation assists young artists through its Instrument Loan Program and Grants for Education and Career, and runs the groundbreaking Music by Black Composers project which was launched in 2001. She holds prizes from several of the world’s leading competitions, including a gold medal at the 1992 Bach International Violin Competition in Leipzig, Germany. 

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Rachel Barton Pine for sharing her talents and stories. You can find her music where ever you listen. Music selections performed by Rachel come from the Album Dependent Arising including Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no. 1 and Earl Maneein’s Dependent Arising, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Tito Munoz. Malek Jandali’s Violin Concerto was performed by Rachel along with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop conducting.

Thanks to Cedille Records for making this episode possible.

You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music!

00:00 Introduction and Early Musical Journey

00:17 Discovering Heavy Metal and Merging Genres

00:41 Exploring Musical Tastes and Influences

01:29 The Impact of a Chicago Bulls Playoff Game

02:55 Bridging Classical and Rock Genres

04:20 Exploring Different Fiddle Styles

05:03 Incorporating Metal into Classical Music

05:44 The Influence of Shostakovich and Metal Music

08:47 The Role of Music in Social Justice

11:04 The Connection Between Music and History

11:52 The Universality of Classical Music

12:22 Collaboration with Malik Jandali

34:07 The Role of Workshopping in Music

36:05 The Influence of Chicago on Musical Career

Rachel Barton: Blending Genres and Bridging Worlds Through Music

It's not every day that you encounter a musician who, at a young age, found a passion for both classical and heavy metal music. Rachel Barton's story is a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and genres.

A Musical Prodigy Meets Heavy Metal

Rachel started her journey with the violin at three and a half years old, debuting with the Chicago Symphony at age 10. Around this time, she discovered heavy metal music, which marked her first encounter with the music of Shostakovich. Rachel reflects on her early years, "I enjoyed a variety of music beyond classical. My parents played blues at home, and I was really drawn to heavy metal, especially thrash."

A Turning Point: Performing at a Chicago Bulls Game

A pivotal moment came when Rachel played the national anthem at a Chicago Bulls playoff game. Her unique rendition caught the public's attention, leading to a realization. "People started approaching me, amazed by the violin's versatility. It was then I realized my mission: to bring listeners to classical music using rock genres."

Cross-Genre Exploration: From Heavy Metal to Classical

Rachel's journey took an interesting turn as she started exploring heavy metal and other genres on her violin. "I didn't consider myself a crossover artist," she clarifies, "I'm all about performing classical music, but I use my interests in rock to bring new listeners to classical."

Intersecting with Bands and Musicians

Rachel discovered that many of her favorite bands listened to classical music. "It was enlightening to tell someone, 'Hey, your favorite band likes these composers.' It's a powerful message." This intersection led her to create arrangements of rock songs for chamber and orchestral performances, a unique approach to bridging musical worlds.

Educational Outreach: A Lifelong Passion

A crucial part of Rachel's journey has been her commitment to educational outreach. "I've always believed in going into schools and teaching children about music," she says. Rachel's efforts go beyond young audiences, as she strives to introduce classical music to adults who might not usually engage with the genre.

Shostakovich and Heavy Metal: An Unexpected Connection

Discussing her unique connection with Shostakovich, Rachel shares, "Heavy metal fans adore Shostakovich for his intensity and darkness. I love pairing his works with contemporary pieces to show the depth and range of classical music."

Working with Contemporary Composers

Rachel's work with living composers has given her a deeper understanding of interpretation. "Working with contemporary composers helps me interpret the works of classical composers more effectively. It's a fascinating process to bring their intentions to life."

The Vibrancy of Chicago's Music Scene

Reflecting on her roots, Rachel speaks passionately about Chicago's diverse music scene. "Chicago has everything - from blues to industrial, house to classical. The city's music scene is incredibly supportive and vibrant, making it an ideal place for musicians."

Conclusion: A Musician Without Boundaries

Rachel Barton's career defies conventional boundaries, proving that music can be a powerful tool for connection and understanding. Her journey from a classical violin prodigy to an artist who bridges genres is a remarkable story of passion, innovation, and dedication to music's universal appeal.

Below are some highlights from our interview.

Rachel, it's great to have you on One Symphony today. Can you share your history with cross-genres?

I started playing the violin at three and a half, debuted with the Chicago Symphony at 10, and around that time, I discovered heavy metal. My journey into combining genres began at a Chicago Bulls game where I played the national anthem. People were amazed by the violin's versatility, which inspired me to bring classical music to new audiences through rock genres.

How did this realization affect your approach to music?

I realized most people's exposure to classical was limited. So, I began reaching out through rock radio stations, playing rock music on my violin, then transitioning to classical pieces. I discovered that many of my favorite bands listened to classical music, which helped me bridge these genres.

What about your work with contemporary composers?

Rachel Barton: Working with contemporary composers deepens my understanding of music interpretation. It helps me interpret classical works more effectively and brings a fresh perspective to music creation.

How do you view classical music's relevance today?

Rachel Barton: Classical music is intense, exciting, and universal. It transcends boundaries and is meaningful to people of all races and ethnicities. It's a way to understand each other even if we don't speak the same language.

Tell us about your collaboration with Malik Jandali and working with Marin Alsop.

I participated in recording a violin concerto by Malik Jandali, blending Middle Eastern and Western styles. Working with Marin Alsop was enlightening. The concerto has Middle Eastern elements, like the oud, but it remains a Western orchestra piece.

How has your approach to playing changed over the years?

I've learned to balance the composer's intentions and my interpretation. Working with living composers has made me a more effective interpreter of classical music.

Can you talk about your latest project, "Dependent Arising," and pairing it with Shostakovich's work?

This album includes a piece by Earl Maneein, inspired by Buddhism and the acceptance of death. We paired it with Shostakovich's work because of his popularity among metal fans and the emotional depth in his music.

What are your thoughts on workshopping in classical music?

Workshopping is essential, even for experienced musicians. It's a process of growing with a piece, trying new things, and evolving one's approach.

Lastly, what is your favorite Chicago staple, aside from the symphony?

For me, it's Chicago blues. My parents loved blues, and it has a special place in my heart. Chicago’s music scene is incredibly diverse and supportive, making it a fantastic place for musicians.

Thank you, Rachel, for joining us today.

Thank you, Devin. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had, especially with Cedille Records, which has allowed me to explore various musical projects.

Rachel Barton Pine, Violin Virtuoso Bridging Boundaries

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