Rachel Barton Pine

American violinist Rachel Barton Pine was born in Chicago on 11 October 1974, and began playing the violin at three. She performed with the Chicago String Ensemble at seven, and with the Chicago Symphony at ten. In 1992 she was the first American and youngest ever winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig.

Her musical interests extend beyond classical to baroque, folk, Celtic, heavy metal, rock and jazz. In 2001 she started the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation to promote study and appreciation of classical music, including string music by black composers. With her sister Hannah Barton, also a violinist, she started Global HeartStrings to support aspiring classical musicians from developing countries.

A selection of M&V articles about Rachel Barton Pine

CD Spotlight. Empathetic Performances - Beethoven and Clement violin concertos, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... Barton-Pine's faultlessly sculpted performance is unequivocally persuasive ...'

CD Spotlight. Consistently Inventive - Viola d'Amore concertos by Vivaldi, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Rachel Barton Pine gives committed performances full of virtuosic brilliance ...'

A Fabulous Concert - Rachel Barton Pine's solo Paganini impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Matchless Virtuosity - Mendelssohn and Schumann violin concertos, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Barton Pine's heartfelt response to both slow movements is full of tonal beauty ...'

CD Spotlight. Velvet Quality - Violin lullabies from Rachel Barton Pine, heard by Howard Smith. '... soporific, inescapable uniformity.'

CD Spotlight. Cloven Hoofs? - English trios, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Trio Setttecento has adapted skilfully towards whatever idiom was required throughout the disc.'

CD Spotlight. Loads of Variety - Latin music from Rachel Barton Pine, recommended by Howard Smith. '... immaculate, relaxed, resonant performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Chicago Baroque - Trio Settecento's A German Bouquet, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... very fine performances of some rarely heard but attractive music ...'

CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'

CD Spotlight. A Diverse Miscellany - Rachel Barton Pine's tribute to Maud Powell, welcomed by Howard Smith. '... irresistible artistry ...'

CD Spotlight. Utterly Absorbing - A sampler from Cedille Records, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... top quality standards.'

Ensemble. True Artistry - Howard Smith attends New Zealand's Music Fair of Japan 2009