Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
A Tribute to Bach
Artists: Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violin
Due to a travel delay, the pre-concert chat scheduled for 06:45pm is CANCELLED. The concert will still begin as scheduled at 7:30 PM.
Runtime: Approximately 60 min, no interval
Due to a sudden hand injury Justin Taylor will be unable to perform as scheduled on March 21. Théotime Langlois de Swarte will perform a solo violin recital.
In honour of J.S. Bach’s birthday on March 21, internationally acclaimed violinist Théotime Langlois De Swarte will present a captivating solo recital, showcasing this instrument’s rich emotive power. The recital charts a course through the history of solo violin, with pieces by Purcell, Biber, and Telemann, inevitably culminating in Bach’s Violin Partita No.2 in D minor, whose monumental Chaconne stands at the pinnacle of the repertoire.
“Excellent…Langlois de Swarte, his tone clear but with an appealing hint of wiry bite, played with vivacity and wit….A performance to be celebrated.”
-The New York Times
“A performance that nearly took the roof off the theater….As a soloist, de Swarte plays brilliantly…There’s hardly a touch of routine in his playing; everything seems newly discovered.”
-San Francisco Classical Voice, March 2025
Click here to read the programme notes
Generously sponsored by Mark De Silva
PROGRAMME
Henry Purcell (1659 -1695)
Prelude
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644 -1704)
Passacaglia: the guardian angel (From the Rosary Sonatas)
Nicola Matteis Jr (1670 -1737)
Fantasia con discretione
Nicola Matteis (1650 – 1714)
Ayres for the violin Book II, Passaggio rotto
Nicola Matteis Jr (1670 -1737)
Fantasia in a minor
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Largo
Largo – Allegro – Grave – si replica L’allegro
Johann Sebastien Bach (1685-1750)
Violin Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004
I. Allemande II. Courante III. Sarabande IV. Gigue V. Chaconne.
Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violin
Théotime Langlois de Swarte is rapidly emerging as a much sought-after violin soloist (on both baroque and modern instruments), chamber musician, recitalist, and conductor.
Recognition has come in the form of major awards, including the 2022 “Diapason D’or of the year” for his recording of Vivaldi, Locatelli, and Leclair concertos (harmonia mundi), and the 2022 “Ambassador of the Year” award from the European Early Music Network (REMA), along with multiple additional recording awards and a February, 2022 cover story in The Strad magazine.
In solo appearances on both baroque and modern violin, de Swarte regularly offers concertos by all of the baroque masters, along with those of Haydn and Mozart. He has appeared with Les Arts Florissants, Le Consort, Orchestre de l’Opera Royal, Holland Baroque, The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Les Ombres, and Orchestre National de Lorraine. His engagements have brought him to prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Philharmonie de Paris, Vienna’s Musikverein, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Berlin’s Philharmonie, Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Hall, and the Shanghai National Art Center.
Théotime Langlois de Swarte studied at the Paris Conservatory under Michael Hentz, and became a regular member of Les Arts Florissants at William Christie’s invitation in 2014, while still a student. He has since appeared as soloist with the ensemble, and will perform Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with them on North American tours in spring and fall, 2025. He has also appeared in recital with William Christie, including a 2021 recording of sonatas by Leclair and Senaille (“Generations” on harmonia mundi).
