Bach and Lizzo: For these Colorado string musicians, no music is off limits

For violinist Rachel Strahl and violist Julie Spencer-Sly, no musical genre is off limits. The Colorado-based string duo, comprising of Strahl and Spencer-Sly, has been honing their musical craft for years and has become renowned for their ability to blend the complexity of J.S. Bach with the energy of Lizzo.

Strahl and Spencer-Sly, who met while attending the University of Colorado, Boulder, have striven to master the intricacies of the Baroque period while also pushing the boundaries of classical music. “We’re constantly exploring different styles,” Strahl said. “We’ll take a Bach partita and make it our own, improvising and finding new ways to interpret the music.”

By combining the virtuosity of Bach with the modernity of the likes of Lizzo, the duo has created a unique sound that has captivated audiences. “It’s a challenge to translate something from J.S. Bach into something that is still Bach-like, but also has a modern feel,” Spencer-Sly said. “We strive to be technically proficient while also being creative.”

The pair has gained a great deal of attention for their ability to take difficult and technical pieces and make them accessible for all kinds of audiences. “We’re not just playing the music as it is written,” Strahl said. “We’re taking it and making it our own, adding our own twists and turns. We want to show people that classical music can be fun and exciting.”

For Strahl and Spencer-Sly, no musical style is too difficult or too technical – their ambition and creativity have enabled them to bridge the gap between the traditional and the modern. “We want to show people that classical music can be fun and exciting,” Spencer-Sly said. “There is something for everyone.”

Utilizing their mastery of classical music and their penchant for innovation, Strahl and Spencer-Sly have created a sound that is both intricate and energizing. By seamlessly combining the works of Bach with the tunes of Lizzo, the duo has established themselves as a dynamic and exciting musical force.