EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Carolina Pro Musica Early Music Ensemble

* Established in 1977 to promote performance of music written before 1800 * Performs with historic instruments and/or copies and voices * Uses performance styles of the period in which the music was written * Has presented a concert series in Charlotte since 1978. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 26, 2008 | Hits: 1390

"Les Voix Baroques is a professional chamber ensemble dedicated to historically informed performances and recordings of unexplored 17th and 18th century repertoire for voices and instruments. Founded in 1999, the group has a regular concert series of baroque vocal and instrumental programs. The ensemble regularly invites both young singers and world-renowned guest artists and singers to perform with them. Les Voix Baroques has been the ensemble in residence at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal since January 1999. In January 2004 Les Voix Baroques was awarded the 2004 Cannes International Classical Award for their 2003 release Elegeia, produced by Analekta. In March 2004 the group, fronted by Canadian soprano Shannon Mercer, participated in Prarie Debut that saw them perform in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Les Voix Baroques has toured in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, has performed at The Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, The Ponticello Music Series, the West Brome Concert Series, CBC McGill, CBC o­nStage, and Le Festival de l’Art Vocal" ...

Added on: Jul 06, 2005 | Hits: 778

"Over a 25-year history, the Exultate Chamber Singers have garnered praise from all quarters for sensitive, precise and seamless performances. The choir was established in 1981, when conductor John Tuttle brought together a group of graduating university students who wanted to continue performing choral music at a high standard. The choir is enriched not only by the excellent musicianship of its members but also by their varied academic and professional backgrounds. Together, they form a passionate, committed ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire." ...

Added on: Feb 03, 2007 | Hits: 763

"Medieval music ensemble "Universalia in Re" was founded in 2001 with a view to revive a medieval attitude to music as an internal experience capable to change a man. This aim determinates unusual instrumental stuff of the ensemble as well as its repertoire (mostly European music of XIII-XIV centuries).

Together with careful study of musical treatises and analysis of medieval European manuscripts, which keep traces of a unique minstrel culture, the ensemble pays a significant attention to living verbal professional musical traditions of Central Asia and Middle East

The ensemble members participated in workshops of leading medieval music teachers and musicians. The ensemble made concerts in Russia,Ukraine, Switzerland, Estonia, Poland and took part in international early music festivals in Lviv (Lviv Early Music Festival, Ukraine, 2002), Tartu (VI Tartu Early Music Festival, Tartu, Estonia, 2003) and Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia, International Machaut Festival, 2004, EARLYMUSIC, 2005). " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 763

"Gruppo Seicento early music ensemble was established in 2002 by the effort of musicians dedicated for a long time to the early music in the will to face the baroque repertoire, with a special interest in Seventeen century Italian music, using original instruments or copies, studying the original sources of this period and performing on historical tunings.

The Gruppo Seicento has played in several early music concert seasons and festivals in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and South America obtaining unanimous approval from the public and the critic. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 756

"Flying Forms – To be a presence that transforms communities and inspires expression through excellence in performance, innovative education and creative collaboration.

Flying Forms consists of members Sang Joon Park (traverso), Marc Levine (baroque violin), and Tami Morse (harpsichord). Already experienced modern instrument musicians with Doctor of Musical Arts degrees we formed Flying Forms out of our passion for performing early chamber music. In order to broaden our repertoire choices, and to experiment within the chamber music concert genre, Flying Forms collaborates regularly with other musicians and artists, including gambist Martha McGoughey and baroque dancers Dorothy Olsson and Mark Mindek.

Flying Forms performs regularly on the St. Mark’s Concert Series in Islip, and has upcoming concerts throughout the New York metropolitan area and in Boston. They regularly give lecture demonstrations at Stony Brook University, in the Islip Public School System, and Long Island museums and libraries.

In addition, Flying Forms has many on-going projects including performing the modern premieres of Carlos Canobio’s duos for violin and flute, recording and performing the complete Telemann “Paris” Quartets, recording a companion CD to a book written by baroque dance specialists Dorothy Olsson and Kaspar Mainz, and collaborating with singers and dancers in a fully-staged chamber opera performance. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 06, 2008 | Hits: 684

"Les Musiciens de l´îlot Royal was established 1997 in Stockholm, Sweden by harpsichordist and composer Miguel Robaina.

The ensemble are mainly into music from the baroque era. Their repetoir primary consists of french music in the spirit of Lully and music from the Swedish great powerperiod. Les Musiciens are also frequently performing music from the Scharffeneck collection of contemporary early music.

The ensemble are playing on historical original instruments or replicas of such. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 675

"Red Priest is one of the major success stories on the international Early Music scene today. Named after the flame-haired priest, Antonio Vivaldi, this extraordinary English ensemble has re-defined the art of baroque music performance, combining the fruits of extensive research with swashbuckling virtuosity, creative re-composition, heart-on-sleeve emotion and compelling stagecraft. The group performs largely from memory, allowing an operatic level of freedom and interaction, and its highly imaginative programmes are drawn from myriad baroque sources to create a kaleidoscopic range of moods and colours.

Formed in 1997, Red Priest now gives over 60 concerts a year in some of the most prestigious festivals and venues in Europe, Australia and the USA (see below), together with regular Radio and TV broadcasts (notably ITV's South Bank Show) and a series of highly acclaimed and brilliantly original CD recordings on the Dorian label - including their baroque-horror epic, Nightmare in Venice and a best-selling, post-modern take on Vivaldi's Four Seasons. In February 2005 the ensemble pushed the boundaries of baroque performance yet further with the launch of the Red Hot Baroque Show at London's Hackney Empire - a dramatic fusion of 18th century music with 21st century sound, light and video technology. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 669

"Ensemble Vermillian was founded to explore the potential for color and texture possible in transcribing the virtuosic repertoire of the seventeenth and eighteenth century for recorder, cello and continuo. Based in Davidson, North Carolina, and Berkeley, California the members of EV, sisters Frances Blaker (recorders) and Barbara Blaker Krumdieck (Baroque cello) joined by Katherine Heater (harpsichordist and organist) have traveled to meet, research, rehearse and perform together since 2000. The ensemble is expanded to include other musicians depending on the project at hand. Viola da gambist Elisabeth Reed joined Ensemble Vermillian for the two-CD Stolen Jewels project. Having studied at conservatories in Denmark, the Netherlands, Ohio and Indiana, the performers blend their approach to the music to create a sound which inspired one audience member to write, “A beautiful performance. The chemistry between you is special.”

EV explores less-familiar repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries and makes it their own through transcription for their particular instruments. The very special group chemistry that these players create together makes for compelling performances, both for the audience and the performers. The combination of music research and vibrant performance are what make Ensemble Vermillian stand out from the crowd. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 660

"The Ensemble Villancico was formed in 1995 for the purpose of performing and spreading the renaissance music collection "Cancionero de Upsala", and is conducted by Peter Pontvik. The ensemble has given more than a hundred concerts, in 25 countries (Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Baltic states and Latin America). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 643

"Hautbois are a lively and talented duo that use music as a vehicle for historical entertainment.

They have worked for many years alongside English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces and National Trust and also appear at many other historical venues.

They have made many appearances performing for television, radio, and films, weddings, concerts and schools. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 642

“Masques is a Montreal-based early music ensemble founded in 1998, performing vocal and instrumental music of the 16th and 17th centuries. The name of the ensemble is inspired by the masques of Elizabethan England - mystical performances that fused poetry, music, dance and drama.

The ensemble has become a meeting point for Canada's young musicians. Masques also collaborates regularly with up and coming European talents, thereby maintaining close ties with musicians of diverse backgrounds.

All of the musicians of Masques have enviable concert experience and regularly perform as soloists and chamber musicians throughout Canada, the United States and Europe with such ensembles as Capriccio, Stravagante, Tafelmusik, La Petitie Bande and Les Voix Humaines. While maintaining a core ensemble, Masques varies in size according to the demands of each project it presents. ...“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 18, 2007 | Hits: 630

The Huelgas Ensemble is a vocal and instrumental groupe specializing in medieval and renaissance music. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 622

"ARS ANTIQUA AUSTRIA, director: Gunar Letzbor Ars Antiqua Austria was founded in Linz in 1995 with the aim of introducing audiences to the roots of specifically Austrian baroque music played on period-instruments. The music performed at the imperial court in Vienna at this period shows the strong influence of Italy and later of French forms, while Spanish court ceremonials also shape the character of the works. The typical Austrian sound of the period also betrays the influence of the many Crownlands. The political and social boundaries of Austria in the baroque era were far wider than in the 20th century. Elements of Slav and Hungarian folk music mingle with alpine sounds and can be heard in the art music of the period. The Austrian sound also reflects the temperament and character of the Austrians of that period - a unifying element in the melting-pot of many different cultures: the joie de vivre of the South, Slav melancholy, French formality, Spanish pomp and the Alpine character of the German-speaking regions. This fusion of court- with folk music and a strong element of dance music form the typical Austrian sound.

The core of Ars Antiqua Austria comprises 8 musicians directed by Gunar Letzbor. The ensemble is readily augmented to accommodate a still wider repertoire.. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 593

"The vocal and instrumental consort Capilla Flamenca takes its name from the choir of the court chapel of Emperor Charles V. When Charles left the Low Countries in 1517, he took his best musicians with him in order to accompany him as 'living polyphony' to Spain.

Today's Capilla Flamenca recruits its specialized musicians mainly from Flanders so as to bring to life again the unique timbre of this brilliant 15th-16th century music in its full authenticity. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 592

"Chatham Baroque, western Pennsylvania's only professional baroque ensemble playing on period instruments, excites audiences with dazzling technique and artful interpretation. In recent years the trio has taken its performances and educational programs to Montreal, Mexico City, the British Virgin Islands, California, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington, DC. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 592

" Le Triomphe de l'amour is a chamber music ensemble performing Baroque music on original instruments.

Our concerts are more than just music: each is an exploration of music and cultural history, and a window into life in the 18th century. Illustrated pre-concert talks, focused program themes, and insightful program notes help to lead the audience to a deeper appreciation of the music.

Based in Princeton, NJ, Le Triomphe de l'amour presents an annual series of concerts performed in intimate surroundings by members of the ensemble and guest artists. Le Triomphe de l’amour is known for imaginative programming of both familiar and seldom-heard works of the 17th and 18th centuries. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 590

"The Clemencic Consort is an early-music ensemble comprised of international artists under the direction of René Clemencic. It performs in varying combinations of voices and instruments, depending on the programme.

Singers and instrumentalists from around the world have made it their task to interpret music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period on historical instruments. They set great store on lively authenticity, but at the same time they consciously avoid "the wagging finger". The programmes are structured in such a way that they convey a colourful overall impression of the respective period. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 588

"Capella Leopoldina was founded in 1992 by Jörg Zwicker.

Following the musical tradition at the Viennese court during the reign of Leopold I. the ensemble includes a variety of musicians from Austria and the most important European music metropolises.

The work focuses on oratorio and orchestra literature of the 17th and 18th century. Furthermore, programs with chamber music instrumentation are part of their repertoire. Capella Leopoldina also plays in simple continuo instrumentation combined with one or several singers.

In January of 2000 Capella Leopoldina took over the instrumental part of the project BACH XXI. In co-operation with the Grazer Dommusik all cantatas by J. S. Bach will be brought to the stage. The timeline for this project is 18 years and it thus represents one of the major projects of Austrian music history. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 582

"The ensemble Peregrina researches and performs the repertories of twelfth to fourteenth century Europe, specializing in vocal polyphony for equal voices. The sacred and secular music of the Middle Ages, such as the organa and conductus of high medieval Notre Dame, aquitanian nova cantica and the motets of manuscripts from Montpellier and Bamberg provide a rich bounty of repertory for three voices, and serve as the backbone of the ensemble Peregrina's current work. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 569

"Since its London debut in 1986, Fretwork has given concerts and broadcast round the world, made numerous highly successful recordings, set new standards in the performance of the great English music for viol consort, and generated a living repertory for the medium." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 566

“The Ensemble Mikado’s present combination of soprano, viola da gamba/viella, and three recorders was formed in Vienna in the spring of 2003. Since then, the winners of the 2004 International Young Artists Presentation—Early Music (IYAP) in Antwerp have known how to enthuse both audiences and the musical press at national and international festivals. Numerous concert performances have led the ensemble to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Poland, Italy and Belgium, to the Vienna Recorder Days, the Hörgänge in the Vienna Konzerthaus, to the ISCM World Music Days, the early music festivals in Brežice and Radovljica in Slovenia, the Festival for Early Music in Bolzano, Italy, the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Poland, the Laus Polyphoniae in Belgium, the Aqua Musica and Oude-Muziek-Network in the Netherlands, the Trigonale Festival in Carinthia, Austria and to the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, among others. In the selection of its repertoire, the ensemble focuses on both the music of the end of the Middle Ages (Ars nova and Ars subtilior) and that of the English Renaissance at the time of William Shakespeare. Unusual instrumentations and unconventional arrangements arise in the ensemble’s search for new ways of interpreting early music in a modern fashion. In February 2009 the CD "Can she excuse ?" was awarded the "Pasticcio-prize" by Ö1/ORF (Austrian Cultural Broadcasting Station).“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 560

"Salut! baroque is one of Australia's most dynamic early music ensembles, bringing together Australia's finest baroque musicians in a chamber orchestra of up to twelve members. Formed in 1995 and led by artistic directors Sally Melhuish and Tim Blomfield, the ensemble performs annual subscription series concerts in Canberra and Sydney. Salut!'s international guest artists have included baroque violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch and Dutch cellist Jaap ter Linden." See site for more info. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 03, 2008 | Hits: 559

"The broad spectrum and vitality of medieval and early Renaissance music are made accessable to a wider audience. Musicians from Austria, Italy and Germany specialized in playing historical instruments make up the core of this European ensemble. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 541

"Founded by Artistic Director and Conductor Daniel Taylor, the Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music (TEM) are sought-after interpreters of magnificent yet neglected choral and instrumental repertoire from four centuries. Their appearances include stunning a cappella programmes, with practices and aesthetics of former ages informing thought-provoking, passionate and committed reconstructions of music for historical events and major works from the oratorio tradition.

With Daniel Taylor, the Choir and Orchestra of the TEM are new visitors to the world's most renowned concert halls and festivals and are building an exciting discography in partnership with Sony Classical Masterworks. …"

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 537