Rachel Barton Pine - American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell

Cedille Records

Maud Powell was a feminist, a pioneer, and the first well-known American violinist. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Powell brought appreciation of the classical violin to Americans from coast to coast, and proved that women could be as gifted musicians as men.

It’s no wonder that Rachel Barton Pine has created a tribute album in her honor. Both were born and raised in Illinois, and both are trailblazers in classical music, with Barton Pine as comfortable with rock music as she is with classical. She’s quoted as loving heavy metal bands as much as the great composers whose works she regularly performs.

Though Maud Powell slipped into obscurity as the twentieth century wore on, Barton Pine’s album American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell does a beautiful job of resurrecting her memory. With its complex arrangements and profound musicianship, it highlights the violin as both a delicate and powerful instrument. With the help of pianist Matthew Hagle, Barton Pine shows that although it’s easy for a pioneering female artist to become lost in his-story, it is a blessing for everyone when the women of today’s era have the opportunity to bring her back into modern consciousness.

Review by Jessica Star Rockers

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American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell