EarlyMusicNews.Org

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 454

"The I Febiarmonici, an orchestra founded in 1999 and operating on the principles of historical performance practice, draws its members from musicians of international origin and renown. Ist Initiator, the violinist Jochen Grüner, was educated at the Academy of Early Music in Bremen.

The Ensemble takes its inspiration from Italian musical troupes of the eighteenth century which in their time toured their country as so-called I Febiarmonici and obtained an outstanding reputation owning to their quality music and love of traveling.

In the short time since its founding, the orchestra has already gone on to gain notice with its fascinating projects. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 660

"Bach Concentus was founded in 2007 by Ewald Demeyere (Artistic Director) and Giulio D'Alessio. Devoted to the instrumental and vocal repertoire of the Baroque and Classical periods, this period instrument orchestra with vocal soloists specialises in works by the Bach dynasty: Johann Christoph, Johann Bernard, Johann Sebastian, Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Philipp Emanuel, Johann Christoph Friedrich and Johan Christian. Repertoire by lesser known composers, for example Arne, Becker, G. Benda, Böhm, Furchheim, Meder, Penzel, Platti and Roman as well as lesser known compositions by illustrious composers such as Handel, Mozart, Salieri, Telemann and Vivaldi will also be performed. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 597

"LA PETITE BANDE (Belgium) was founded in 1972 by Sigiswald Kuijken at the request of the record company Deutsche Harmonia Mundi in order to record Lully's "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme", under the direction of Gustav Leonhardt.

The orchestra takes its name and constitution from Lully's own orchestra at the court of Louis XIV.All its members are internationally renowned specialists in the early music field. Although originally La Petite Bande was not meant to become a permanent orchestra, the success of the recordings was such that they began to give concerts regularly. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 557

“Arion Baroque Orchestra, founded in 1981, is the only early music orchestra performing on period instruments in Québec and one of the most renowned early music ensembles in North America. Led by the enlightened artistic vision of flutist Claire Guimond, the orchestra offers a prestigious concert series in Montréal featuring more than twenty musicians and with the participation of internationally known guest conductors. The clarity and freshness of Arion’s interpretations have been remarked through the concert tours in Japan, United States, Europe and Mexico. Arion has also put together an impressive recording collection with 26 titles both as an ensemble and as an orchestra, distributed internationally and on the web.”

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Added on: Sep 26, 2011 | Hits: 765

“Les Violons du Roy came into existence as the dream of a group of young musicians. We wanted to take a new and different approach to the performance of works written for chamber orchestra, especially during the Baroque period. For over twenty years, we have been pursuing this vision with the support of all those who attend our concerts and buy our recordings. I would like to invite you to discover the other facets of our work, and to join us in achieving our dream.” ...

Bernard Labadie
Artistic and Music Director

Added on: Jul 06, 2005 | Hits: 594

(Previously known as "Nota Bene Period Orchestra")

" Nota Bene Period Orchestra was founded in 2001 by Daniel Zondervan, Michael Purves-Smith and Richard Cunningham. Their intention was to treat Waterloo Region (Ontario, Canada ed.) music lovers to 17th and 18th century music as audiences experienced it at the time. Playing on authentic or replica instruments, Nota Bene's professional musicians come as close as possible to recreating what Bach, Vivaldi and others from the early Baroque to the early Classical period intended us to hear."

Note: “Nota Bene Period Orchestra” underwent a name change on September 10th, 2011 -- Admin

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Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 870

"The word is German and means “table music” or “music for the feast.”

The name is apt because Tafelmusik has produced a feast of firsts and bests and has won admiration throughout the musical world.

Through its extensive national and international tours, its critically-acclaimed recordings and TV broadcasts, its new media initiatives and growing web of community and artistic partnerships, Tafelmusik is one of most prolific orchestras in the world.

Tafelmusik, Canada’s award-winning period instrument orchestra, was founded in 1979 and has long been renowned in North America and internationally for its distinct, exhilarating and soulful performances.  Under the outstanding leadership of Music Director Jeanne Lamon, C.M., it has excelled equally in music ranging from the baroque and classical eras and beyond, including adventurous cross-cultural reinventions of baroque classics.  In the words of Gramophone, Tafelmusik is “one of the world’s top baroque orchestras.” 

The Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, specializing in baroque performance practice and vocal technique, was formed in 1981 to complement the orchestra. Under the direction of Ivars Taurins, the choir has been praised for its clarity and brilliance and has been described as “the best period-performance choir anywhere in the world…”(The Globe and Mail).  

Tafelmusik performs 50 concerts each year in Toronto at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, a historic church in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, performs community outreach concerts, tours extensively in Canada and throughout the world, and has a discography of 76 CDs that have garnered many national and international awards. 

At the heart of Tafelmusik is a group of remarkably talented, enthusiastic and dynamic musicians, each of whom is a specialist in historical performance practice. …”

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Added on: Jun 17, 2005 | Hits: 571

“Now in its fifth decade, the Toronto Chamber Choir holds a place of prominence in the early music scene. Mark Vuorinen, now entering his fourth season as Music Director, is one of Canada’s rising choral conductors, with more than ten years of experience conducting professional and amateur singers. He follows David Fallis, the choir’s Music Director Laureate, an expert in early music who led the choir for more than two decades. 

The choir distinguishes itself by its presentation of large-scale, often little-known, works of the Renaissance and Baroque repertoire, performed in authentic style. In 2007, we performed the Requiem by Francesco Cavalli,
a work rarely heard in Canada. A performance of the 40-voice motet Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis was a fitting choice for celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2008. In 2010, we sang Media Vita by John Sheppard, an English composer who deserves to be heard more often.  On Good Friday in 2010, we performed the profound Passion oratorio Membra Jesu Nostri by Buxtehude.  Mark Vuorinen said, “This piece is comprised of seven discrete cantatas, each a meditation on a part of Christ’s crucified body. For the sixth cantata, a meditation on the heart, Buxtehude replaces the violins with a consort of five viols, a most extraordinary timbral effect!”  In the spring of 2011, the choir presented a concert of music by Josquin des Prez, arguably the most famous composer during his own lifetime.  Secular and sacred music was performed, including one of his greatest works, the Missa Pange Lingua. More notes are found in the Education and Outreach section of the website.“

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Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 194

“The Prague baroque orchestra Collegium 1704 and vocal ensemble Collegium Vocale 1704 were founded by harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks in 2005 on the occasion of the BACH – PRAHA – 2005 project. This marked the beginning of their regular collaboration with the Prague Spring International Music Festival.

Since 2007 Collegium 1704 and Collegium Vocale 1704 have been residential ensembles of the Saint Wenceslas Music Festival in Ostrava. The year 2007 was dedicated to the composer Jan Dismas Zelenka and his Missa votiva for which the ensembles received critical acclaim at La Chaise-Dieu and Sablé festivals in France. Collegium 1704 and Collegium Vocale 1704 are also frequent guests of festivals such as the Festival de Festival de Musique de Sully & du Loiret, Festival Baroque de Pontoise, Rencontres Musicales de Vézelay.  …”

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Added on: Apr 24, 2011 | Hits: 448

"With local roots and a passionate interest for the city's own musical history, and yet with its ears, eyes, and hears open to the rest of the world, the members of Elbipolis stand prepared to partake upon musical adventures. The young ensemble, the core of which is made up of musicians from Bremen, Hamburg, and Berlin, has achieved a great deal in a short period of time. Invitations to the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Leipzig Bach Festival, the Music Festival at Potsdam Sanssouci, the Rheingau Music Festival, as well as an exclusive appearance at the Yellow Lounge in Berlin (a club operated by Universal Music,) are just some of the milestones of the orchestra's history. In 2005 the ensemble received an invitation by DeutschlandRadio to give a performance together with the star recorder player Maurice Steger at the Cloister Neuzelle in Brandenburg. In 2007 NDR (North German Radio) in Hamburg dedicated an entire wekend for the ensemble to explore the theme of Orpheus in music, and in November of 2007 the orchestra gave its successful debut at the Kölner Philharmonie. The North German musicians have made themselves noticed again and again through their refreshing combination of high caliber technique and unconventional appearances.

The ensemble's debut CD 'Don Quichotte in Hamburg', recorded on the Raumklang label in 2005 and featuring music of Telemann, Mattheson, and Conti, ws met with great public enthusiasm. The next recording is planned for the beginning of 2008.

The driving philosophy and motto behind the ensemble has been borrowed from Georg Philipp Telemann, who once wrote: 'Will and industry can break even the deepest paths, and a keen sense of daring will always win over what appears impossible. Do mountains immdediately appear before you? Take them on with zeal, and regard difficulties as dwarves against the giant within yourself.' " Visite website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 16, 2008 | Hits: 624

"Baroque music retains its special role for the FBO – even after twenty years. While the “Freiburgers” have meanwhile earned a reputation as interpreters of classical, romantic and even contemporary music, the Baroque in the orchestra’s name is still more than merely a description of an epoch: it stands for the musicians’ practical performance perspective as well as for their pleasure in musicianship and cultivated, virtuoso ensemble playing.

The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra has conquered the world’s best known concert halls with this musical self-image. From the Baroque perspective, the music of the 18th and 19th century, in particular, sounds young and modern and not at all like old music, but as immediate as if the ink on the music sheets was still damp. This is perhaps what James R. Oestreich meant when he enthused, in the New York Times in March 2007: “The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, familiar from […] opera recordings and other notable projects, may be the liveliest ensemble now on the international early-music scene.”

The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra’s prominent status in international musical life is expressed both in its continuous collaboration with significant artists such as Andreas Staier, Thomas Quasthoff, Cecilia Bartoli and René Jacobs, as well as in a close collaboration with the French recording label harmonia mundi France, and is successfully reflected in numerous CD productions and outstanding awards. Hence, only recently, a survey of journalists in the magazine Opernwelt presented the FBO with its “Orchestra of the Year 2007” award.

Under the artistic direction of its two concert masters Gottfried von der Goltz and Petra Müllejans, or under the baton of selected conductors, with about one hundred appearances each year the FBO performs in differing formations ranging from chamber music to opera orchestra: a self-administrated ensemble with its own subscription concerts in Freiburg’s Konzerthaus, Stuttgart’s Liederhalle and Berlin’s Philharmonie, as well as with worldwide tours. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 537

“The new Stuttgart Baroque Orchestra …”

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Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 142

"The orchestra La Stagione Frankfurt has for many years been counted among the most successful ensembles in the field of authentic music performance.

The versatility of the ensemble's director Michael Schneider on the one hand and the artistic flexibility of each of the musicians on the other, enable a convincing and authentic performance of a wide spectrum of works from the areas of baroque opera and oratorios through classical symphonic works to the performance of important pieces of the 20th century.

It is the discovery and performance of lesser known musical gems by composers such as F.I. Beck, A. Stradella, A. Scarlatti, I. Holzbauer and the sons of Bach coupled with the stimulating and authentic interpretation of the standard repertoire which characterises the artistic intention of La Stagione.

Performing regularly with well-known vocal and instrumental soloists, the invitations to important European festivals and concert venues as well as the numerous highly regarded recordings attest to the high reputation of La Stagione Frankfurt. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 17, 2008 | Hits: 444

"La Stravanganza Köln was founded in 1988. After a formative phase the orchestra found an important partner in the English violinist Andrew Manze who directed it for six years. His growing commitments with The Academy of Ancient Music forced his departure and led to a series of exciting projects under various leaders. International invitations led the orchestra to Holland, France, Austria, Italy, Spain and the USA. The internationally renowned violinist Veronika Skuplik has led the orchestra since 1999. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 491

“The New Munich court orchestra was established in 1992 by specialists in the field of historical performance practice. It is unique In the Bavarian landscape. First and foremost, the orchestra is dedicated to the research, documentation and re-performance of the widely-forgotten musical treasures of the Bavarian residences, castles and monasteries, and aims at creating the music in its original environment: the historical rooms throughout Bavaria. ..“ (Google translate)

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 450

"Concerto Copenhagen is Scandinavia’s leading period instrument ensemble. Also known as "CoCo", the ensemble has since its establishment in 1991 become known for its lively and captivating performances and has become a favorite among audiences wherever it goes.

In 1999 the internationally acclaimed harpsichord player Lars Ulrik Mortensen became the ensemble’s artistic director. Mortensen is considered to be one of the leading harpsichordists and chamber musicians of our day.

With Lars Ulrik Mortensen as principal leader and artistic director, CoCo has embarked on an exciting artistic and musical journey, combining lesser-known repertoire of Scandinavian origin with the repertoire of the baroque and classical legacy, thus adding a fresh and Nordic flavor to the traditional concert repertoire. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 472

Al Ayre Español was founded in 1988 by Eduardo López Banzo with the objective of avoiding the mistaken clichés that often surrounded the performance of Spanish baroque music. The spirit of the ensemble made this possible thanks to musicological rigor, performance excellence and with the main purpose of giving new breath to music from the past, making them appear as recent compositions, and then offering them to the contemporary audience.

The name of the ensemble was inspired by the title for a guitar Fugue of the Calanda (Aragón) composer, Gaspar Sanz. In this Fugue he indicated the musician to play with "ayre español" (in the Spanish way). Unfortunately, precisely what that meant has remained in the 17th Century.

With the passing of the time, Al Ayre Español has become not only a prestigious ensemble, but moreover a performance philosophy, finally giving meaning to the Gaspar Sanz's indication. This has been achieved through lot of reflection, performance and mastery. Al Ayre Español is now a way of performing and enjoying music that Eduardo López Banzo has being creating as a work-in-progress, recognisable, requested and acclaimed all over the world, and for all these reasons was awarded the 2004 Spanish National Music Prize.

The fact that Al Ayre Español is more than a specialised early music ensemble, that represents the musical philosophy "al ayre español", has allowed the project to be flexible. This has made it possible to adapt itself to different formats, as a baroque orchestra -acknowledged by its performances of Handel and Bach- and lately as a classical-romantic orchestra -with opera and concert performances of Haydn and Mozart.

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Added on: Jan 30, 2011 | Hits: 475

El Concierto Español, directed by Emilio Moreno, specializing in repertoire from the Spanish baroque and pre-classical periods. See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 533

“Taking its inspiration from Les Nations, a work by François Couperin symbolising the coming together of musical tastes and heralding a “European artistic space” which, far from being a recent invention, bears all the hallmarks of the Age of Enlightenment, Le Concert des Nations, the youngest of the ensembles directed by Jordi Savall, was founded in 1989. Created during the preparation of the Canticum Beatae Virgine by Charpentier, this group arose out of the need for an orchestra of period instruments that could play the orchestral and symphonic repertoire from the Baroque to the Romantic periods (1600-1850). Le Concert des Nations is the first orchestra of its kind made up chiefly (although not exclusively) of musicians from Latin countries (Spain, Latin America, Italy, Portugal, France, etc.), all of whom are outstanding specialists in performance using period instruments. The impact of the ensemble’s recordings and concerts given in the major cities and music festivals over the last fifteen years has established its reputation as one of the best original instrument orchestras performing today, with a broad and varied repertoire that ranges from the earliest music to be composed for orchestra (L’Orchestre de Louis XIII, 1600-1650) to the masterpieces of the Romantic period, including the key Baroque and Classical composers. …”

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Added on: Oct 03, 2011 | Hits: 327

" The Seville Baroque Orchestra (OBS) was founded by Barry Sargent and Ventura Rico in 1995, with the desire to create an ensemble able to perform XVII and XVIII century repertoire vivaciously and with a clear sense of communication. OBS has since then become a major reference on the Spanish music scene.

From its first performances onwards, OBS has always enjoyed the support of the audience and the specialised press. The quality of its performances, as well as the high interest of the programmed works, have always received unanimous critical acclaim.

Amongst the nearly 50 programmes that OBS has offered at the most important venues in recent years, feature works such as Mozart’s Requiem or the Coronation Mass, Haendel’s Messiah, symphonic programmes dedicated to Haydn and C.P.E. Bach… as well as unedited works of great interest, such as the Oratorium “Colpa, Pentimento e Grazia” by A. Scarlatti and many other works by XVIII century Spanish composers (Baguer, Buono Chiodi, Moyá, Moreno, Garay…).

Highlights in the operistic field include OBS’ production of Haydn’s Lo Speziale and Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea in the Maestranza Theatre (Seville) or Purcell’s Dido and Eneas in the Teatre Principal (Palma de Mallorca). ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 15, 2008 | Hits: 570

“A period-instrument orchestra with a fresh approach

The Finnish Baroque Orchestra specialises in performance on period instruments –  a mode of performance requiring profound study of the practices and instruments of the period in which a work was composed. Its foremost feature is, however, its fresh, vibrant and open-minded desire to establish a fresh approach to early music.

These days Finnish Baroque Orchestra is working with artists like Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch, Georg Kallweit, Topi Lehtipuu, Hannu Lintu, Sandrine Piau, Karina Gauvin, Juha Kangas, John Storgårds, Aleksei Lybimov, Piia Komsi, Wolfgang Gaisböck, Andres Mustonen, Björn Colell, Alfredo Bernardini,  Marianne Beate Kielland, Arttu Kataja, Erich Hoeprich...”

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Added on: Feb 23, 2012 | Hits: 265

“Founded in 1997, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra is a new-generation line-up offering its audiences a chance to enjoy early music in a fresh, distinctive presentation. The use of period instruments is part of the orchestra's striving to discover new perspectives on the performance of old masterworks in a communicative way.

Aapo Häkkinen started out as Artistic Director of the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra in 2003. His authoritative knowledge and personal vision have clearly profiled the orchestra, and it has become one of the most interesting ensembles in Finnish musical life today. In 2009 Riccardo Minasi took the position of Associate Director...“

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Added on: Jul 25, 2009 | Hits: 424

"Capriccio Stravagante is world-renowned for their memorable interpretations of Renaissance and Baroque music. Founded in 1986 by Skip Sempé, the ensemble of 4-40 performers now incorporates Capriccio Stravagante, the Capriccio Stravagante Orchestra, the Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra and Capriccio Stravagante Opera. The diverse vocal and instrumental formations feature the finest European, American and Canadian musicians. Their extensive discography includes music by Byrd, Monteverdi, Purcell, Bach, Buxtehude, Handel, Telemann, Lully and Couperin, as well as “Versailles – L’Ile Enchantée”, “Venezia Stravagantissima” (Alpha) and “Paradizo” (Paradizo). These recordings have made a considerable contribution to Capriccio Stravagante’s acceptance as the foremost interpretive force in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire to have emerged in decades. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 425

“Ensemble Baroque de Nice is composed of a core of twelve musicians who perform on period instruments. The Ensemble has quickly become one of the main performing early music ensembles specializing in French baroque music. ..“

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Added on: Jul 27, 2009 | Hits: 580