Violinist Cecilia Bernardini will assume the role for the upcoming 2025/26 season
The Netherlands Bach Society has announced the appointment of Dutch-Italian violinist Cecilia Bernardini as its new concertmaster. Bernardini will succeed Shunske Sato, who was the ensemble’s concertmaster and artistic leader until June 2023.
Bernardini has previously appeared as guest concertmaster with the Netherlands Bach Society, including a performance of St Matthew Passion in 2024 under direction of the ensemble’s new artistic leader, Johanna Soller.
Bernardini holds the position of associate artistic director of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and is concertmaster of the B’rock Orchestra in Belgium. She has previously led the Dunedin Consort and Pygmalion.
She performs as a soloist, musical director and concertmaster with ensembles such as Camerata Salzburg, The King’s Consort, Ensemble Zefiro, Arcangelo, Vox Luminis and the Bach Collegium Japan. In 2010, she performed the world premiere of Philip Glass’s Double Concerto together with cellist Maartje-Maria den Herder with the Residentie Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, she frequently performs with her father, baroque oboist Alfredo Bernardini, and with Trio Marie Soldat focusing on classical and early romantic repertoire.
Bernardini studied at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with with Jan Repko, Vesko Eschkenazy and Ilya Grubert. She continued her education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with David Takeno, and took classes with Rachel Podger and Lucy van Dael, specialising in historically informed practice.
’We are proud and delighted with Cecilia’s appointment,’ commented Janneke Slokkers, managing director of the Netherlands Bach Society.
’First and foremost, she is a phenomenal violinist. In addition, she has a natural and connective leadership style, which fits perfectly with the style of our new artistic director Johanna Soller. The click they had during the St Matthew Passion bodes well for the future.’
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