AWARDS AND HONORS (SELECTED)

2010 – Winner, Great Performer of Illinois Award

2006 – Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award, Illinois Humanities Council

2006 – Inducted as Honorary Member, National Association of Negro Musicians

2002 – Nominee, Peabody Award (for radio performance featuring works of living composers)

1999 – Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Tribune

1998 – Nominee, National Public Radio Heritage Award (for Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th and 19th Centuries album)

1997 – Classical Hall of Fame, Fanfare magazine

1996 – Second Prize, Stulberg National String Competition

1995 – Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Magazine

1993 – Paganini Caprice Prize, Paganini International Violin Competition, Genoa, Italy

1993 – Bronze Medal, Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition, Brussels, Belgium

1992 – Gold Medal, J.S. Bach International Violin Competition, Leipzig, Germany (first American and youngest winner)

1992 – Second Prize, Fritz Kreisler International Violin Competition, Vienna

1992 – Second Prize and Paganini Caprice Prize, Joseph Szigeti International Violin Competition, Budapest

1990 – First Prize, Society of American Musicians Music Contest, Young Artist Division

1989 – First Prize, Seventeen Magazine and General Motors National Concerto Competition

1985 – First Prize, Chicago Symphony Orchestra/ Illinois Bell/ WTTW Illinois Young Performers Competition

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The violin on which Rachel plays is known as the “ex-Bazzini ex-Soldat.”  It was made in 1742 by Joseph Guarneri “del Gesu.” It is on lifetime loan to her by an anonymous patron.

Guarneri and Stradivari are considered to be the two greatest violin makers of all time. “Del Gesu” violins have been the preferred instruments of many famous violinists including Paganini, Ysaye, Kreisler, Heifetz, Stern, and Zukerman. Many of these violins have special histories, and this instrument is no exception.

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“An exciting, boundary-defying performer – Pine displays a power and confidence that puts her in the top echelon.”

– The Washington Post –

“Striking and charismatic…she demonstrated a bravura technique and soulful musicianship.”

– The New York Times –

Heralded as a leading interpreter of the great classical masterworks, American concert violinist Rachel Barton Pine thrills international audiences with her dazzling technique, lustrous tone, and emotional honesty. With an infectious joy in music-making and a passion for connecting historical research to performance, Pine transforms audiences’ experiences of classical music.

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