The Australian Chamber Orchestra is currently touring a Bach concert, at the centrepiece of which is Johann Sebastian Bach’s much-loved Double Violin Concerto, played by Richard Tognetti and Helena Rathbone (on the newly loaned ‘ex-Dollfus’ Stradivarius). The concert, which received a four-star review from Limelight, also features repertoire by Johann Christoph Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Heinrich Bach and Johann Ludwig Bach, as well as Mozart, Schumann and Sofia Gubaidulina. Limelight spoke to Helena Rathbone about the program.

Helena Rathbone performing in the Australian Chamber Orchestra's Bach program, June 2022. Photo © Julian Kingma.

Helena Rathbone performing in the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Bach program, June 2022. Photo © Julian Kingma

The extensive Bach family are renowned as the greatest of all musical dynasties. How much does this program capture the family genius?

In addition to music by the most well-known Bach, Johann Sebastian, including the Double Violin Concerto, this program includes some pieces by lesser-known members of the Bach family, such as JS’s third cousin, Johann Ludwig and great uncle, Heinrich.

There are very few surviving manuscripts from most of these composers, so we’re really only able to scratch the surface. Luckily,...