In both art and life, violinist Rachel Barton Pine has an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Celebrated as a leading interpreter of great classic and contemporary works, her performances combine her innate gift for emotional communication and her scholarly fascination with historical research. She plays with passion and conviction, thrilling audiences worldwide with her dazzling technique, lustrous tone, and infectious joy in music-making. 

Molsky and classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine have been friends and peers for many years and are leaders in their respective fields. Pine is a Billboard chart – topping classical violinist who performs with the world's leading orchestras and has recorded 39 acclaimed albums. Molsky has become one of the most influential old-time fiddlers on the scene today, earning two Grammy nominations and even the title “the Rembrandt of Appalachian fiddlers” from revered violinist Darol Anger.

Through many years of performing and teaching together at Mark O’Connor’s fiddle camps, Pine and Molsky have had the opportunity to explore each other’s musical styles and gain a deeper appreciation for what makes each tradition unique and what they share in common. Tuesday’s concert will find the two friends trading classical and old-time works in the spirit of discovery and curiosity. They’ll each play cross-tuned compositions—where the strings of the instrument are tuned to pitches different than their normal ones—

As a special treat, Pine will perform Molsky’s “Waltz” from American Partita No. 1 in D Major. In 2017, Molsky composed this movement for Pine’s adventurous commission of classical works drawn from America’s fiddling traditions inspired by the exalted baroque dances of J.S. Bach.