Her last gig was by royal command in the magnificent 750-year-old surroundings of Westminster Abbey, but the fearless violinist and conductor Madeleine Easton has taken on an even greater challenge in the modest scrubbed sandstone backdrop of a small church in the Sydney suburb of Paddington.

It’s been a momentous year for the former North Shore schoolgirl who founded Australia’s own Bach orchestra after 18 years performing in Britain and throughout the world as a first violin with the Monteverdi Choir and as leader and soloist with several leading European orchestras.

It culminated in an appearance with Gardiner at King Charles III’s Coronation. Although the King couldn’t see the actual performance (he was on his way to the Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach), he did take time out to attend the rehearsals, which reduce him to tears.

Madeleine Easton and Bach Akademie Australia. Photo supplied

That was just six weeks ago, but over three nights the Bach Akademie Australia Artistic Director and founder has taken on the greatest test of any fiddler’s mettle, JS Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin.

“Why am I doing it? Simply because I have to,”...