BACH 41 Playing the violin in over forty places for the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians

My name is Wendy Staal.  I am a professional violinist and the first violinist of acclaimed trio Extreme Baroque.

 

'Bach 41'   It is a very simple idea - to play one movement of unaccompanied Bach, in 41

different places.

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I was asked to play at Bridport Primary School last year as the children were studying Bach in their assembly.  Many of the children had never heard a violin up close, let alone a violinist playing unaccompanied Bach.  I was struck how the very young children 4 – 7 year olds responded to this very serious and emotional music and they talked to me about how it made them feel.  This is where the idea for the project originated.

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I decided to give 41 five minute performances in 41 different places.  Bach often wove the number 14 and 41 into his music - to sign his name.  My project is a tribute to Bach.  I don't think of his music as 'classical' to me it is just music - in the most complete sense of the word.

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To start off with I am going to play in churches in and around Bridport - anyone is free to come and listen.  Then I am hoping to persuade cafe and coffee shops owners to let me come and play 5 minutes of Bach to their customers.  A little bit of Bach in a completely informal setting and something a little bit unexpexted, hopefully memorable - for five minutes.

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As the project progresses I hope to take Bach to all sorts of places.

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THE RICHARD ELY TRUST FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS

An important part of the project is to raise some money for the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians - a trust based in Dorset that helps to support young musicians in continuing to learn and play musical instruments.

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When I was 9 and attending my local primary school I badly wanted to learn the violin.  All I had to do was to ask at school.  I was given a violin to play and free lessons.  No one in my family played an instrument - my parents had never seen a violin up close.  I received a full grant to attend the Royal Academy of Music for four years.  Young people today don't have these opportunities and as a result it is much harder to become a violinist.

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The Richard Ely Trust is trying to help young people in music.  Young musicians are the next generation that will keep Bach live.  Support the trust by clicking on the button below and making a donation.​