Bach's Partita No. 2 in D minor for unaccompanied violin is one of the major rites of passage for any aspiring violinist. A suite of dances composed of five movements, it culminates in the famous “Chaconne,” a tour de force that demands not only endurance — it goes on for some 15 minutes of unrelieved solo virtuosity — but the ability to make the whole thing sound easy, as critics are always on the lookout for the artist's ability to transcend the work's notorious technical difficulties. Impressive young violinist Nigel Armstrong will display guts as well as talent when he discusses and performs the Partita and Bach's Sonata No. 3 in C major for Solo Violin for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's Baroque Conversations. At 22, Armstrong is one of today's up-and-coming virtuosi, having won numerous medals and prizes at such prestigious events as the International Tchaikovsky Competition, Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition and the First International Violin Competition in Buenos Aires. He's been praised by Musical America as “a violinist full of surprises,” so prepare to be … surprised.

Thu., April 11, 7 p.m., 2013

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.