Madeleine Easton: For the love of Bach

Australian violinist Madeleine Easton has built an international career as a soloist, concertmaster and director, performing with some of the world’s leading period and modern ensembles, including the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique under Sir John Eliot Gardiner. In this conversation, Madeleine reflects on the extraordinary journey of founding Bach Akademie Australia nearly a decade ago, the challenges of sustaining an ensemble in Australia, and the deep emotional and intellectual connection she feels to the music of J.S. Bach.

We hear about the mentors who shaped her career, especially Gardiner’s encouragement to establish her own orchestra, and about the transformative experiences that cemented her passion for historically informed performance. Madeleine also shares vivid memories of growing up in an extraordinary musical household, studying at the Conservatorium High School, and forging a path through Australia’s major orchestras before building a career in the UK, driven by exceptional talent combined with bold tenacity.

Bach Akademie Australia performs Collegium Musicum on Friday June 12 at the Mosman Art Gallery, Saturday June 13 at ACO on the Pier, and Sunday June 14 at the Bowral Memorial Hall.