Concerto to be played on violin as old as Bach

Award-winning violinist Desirée Ruhstrat has performed internationally as guest soloist with major orchestras and as a chamber musician and recitalist. In the Chicago area, she is familiar as a member of the Lincoln Trio and head of the string department at the Music Institute of Chicago.

When she performs as soloist in J.S. Bach's Concerto BWV 1042 on Sunday, April 25, at the Bach Week Festival, she will have an appropriately historic violin:

I am so excited to be playing this wonderful masterwork, especially since I will be performing on a beautiful Amati violin, on generous loan from Bein and Fushi Fine Violins of Chicago, which dates from the same year as Bach's birth [1685].

This concerto is written in the key of E Major, which was one of Bach's favorite keys for the violin, making the concerto extremely virtuosic and brilliant.

The first movement structurally was ahead of its time, with a definite development section and a very evident recapitulation (return to the beginning). This is followed by a sublime slow movement featuring a gorgeous cello and bass obbligato. The concerto finishes off with the third movement, a joyous Rondo.

It is such an honor to be asked again to be a part of Bach Week. The caliber of musicians is so outstanding, and everyone brings such joy and enthusiasm to the festival.