EarlyMusicNews.Org

“The dynamic ensemble, Fleuri, formed in 2002 after graduating from the Royal College of Music in London, where they were the winners of the Century Fund Prize for Early Music. Specialising in repertoire of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, they share a passion for the music of Handel's London and folk-inspired baroque music from around the British Isles and Eire. A distinctive feature of some of their performances is the wearing of sumptuous eighteenth century costume designed and made especially for the ensemble, adding to the visual spectacle and enriching the concert experience for audience and performers alike. …“

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Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 215

"Since its formation in 1991, Florilegium has established a reputation for stylish and exciting interpretations of music from the baroque era to the early romantic revolution. Among the numerous Residencies Florilegium has held over the years was the coveted post of Ensemble in Residence at London’s Wigmore Hall, a position they enjoyed for three seasons from 1998 to 2000. During that time they performed several series of concerts each year and became actively involved in the Hall’s education work. Their last season as Ensemble in Residence featured a six-concert series marking the 250th anniversary of J.S.Bach’s death.

Concert engagements have taken Florilegium throughout Eastern and Western Europe and to North and South America, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Israel and Turkey. The group receives numerous invitations to perform at major international festivals each season and recent concert venues have included the Sydney Opera House, Frick Collection in New York, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, The Concertgebauw in Amsterdam, The Vienna Konzerthaus in Austria, Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Handelhaus in Halle, and Théâtre Grevin in Paris."

Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 398

"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: 581

"The Gabrieli Consort & Players were founded by Paul McCreesh in 1982 and have just celebrated their 25th anniversary season. Initially recognised for their mould-breaking reconstructions of music for historical occasions, they have gone on to captivate audiences worldwide with their bold readings of the masterworks of the baroque and renaissance. They are regularly heard at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and the USA. In partnership with Martin Randall Music Management, they have pioneered new areas of 'cultural tourism' in creating festivals of music in historic centres, including Venice, Rome, Naples, Leipzig, and northern Spain. September 2007 saw the ensemble's largest residency to date as part of the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Wrocław, Poland, where Paul McCreesh became Artistic Director in 2006. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 462

"Gaïta is a group based in Edinburgh dedicated to Medieval Music. They are performers of medieval music and early dance, produce books of medieval music, and design and build medieval instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 448

"Like so many of the best things in life, the birth of Gothic Voices came about almost by accident. Back in 1980 Christopher Page was asked by the BBC to put together a programme of plainchant by the 12th century Abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Record producer Ted Perry tuned in to that broadcast and it so impressed him that he set up what was to become one of the best-selling recordings of pre-classical music ever made: A Feather on the Breath of God — Hymns and Sequences by Abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Since that time, Gothic Voices has recorded a further twenty CDs on the Hyperion label, three of which have won the coveted Gramophone Magazine Award. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 451

"It’s not an ensemble of harps, but rather the combination of one early harp with singers, lutes, baroque guitars, viols, violins, early flutes, shawms, bagpipes and percussion: anything from a medieval trio to a baroque orchestra.

Our repertoire contrasts folk dances and the highest art music; medieval song, renaissance consorts and baroque operas. Rhythm, dance and improvisation are to the fore.

And, by the way, we don't just play dance-music. Guitarist Steven Player brings historical dance-steps to life with rhythmic footwork and improvised choreographies. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 340

"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: 661

"The Haydn Lute Trio was formed in 2000 and has been delighting audiences since with its widely varied programmes featuring the 18th century lute and theorbo in ensemble. Following the critically acclaimed ‘Lute music for a Princess’ CD (for ASV Gaudeamus) the trio have regularly featured in arts festival, music society and educational programmes contrasting rarely heard early classical Lute trios by Haydn and his contemporaries with the great violin sonatas of Bach, Handel and Corelli, using the theorbo as continuo. The Trio also include French 18th century repertoire in their concerts, with the pièces de théorbe en partition taken from the 1716 publication of Louis 14th’s court theorbist, Robert de Visée. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 283

"The Hilliard Ensemble is considered to be one of the world's finest vocal chamber groups, and is probably unrivalled for its formidable reputation in the fields of both early and new music. Its distinctive style and highly developed musicianship engage the listener as much in medieval and renaissance repertoire as in works specially written for the group by living composers. The ensemble's performing schedule is busy and varied, amounting to some hundred concerts a year. Its substantial following in Europe, particularly in Mediterranean and central European countries, is augmented by regular visits to Japan, the USA and Canada. The group’s reputation as an early music ensemble dates from the 1980s and its series of highly successful records for EMI (many of which are now re-released on Virgin), but from the start the group has paid equal attention to new music ..."

Added on: Apr 13, 2007 | Hits: 349

"His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts is a group of virtuoso wind players who specialise in playing early music in authentic styles on original instruments. The noble sound of cornetts and sackbuts was among the most versatile instrumental colours available to composers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It was heard in many musical contexts: in consort or in alternation with voices in the extravagant liturgy of the great Italian and Spanish churches - above all the Basilica of St Mark's in Venice; in aristocratic entertainments such as the intermedii of northern Italy or the masques of Jacobean England; and in the ceremonial and devotional music for the courts and free cities of Lutheran Germany. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 339

"I FAGIOLINI was founded in 1986 while the singers were students at Oxford University. In 1988 the group won the UK Early Music Network’s Young Artists’ Competition and has since released 14 CDs and 2 DVD. It gives about 50 concerts a year from the BBC Proms and major European festivals to further afield such as the Far East and both ends of Africa. Its unusual name has been misspelt, mispronounced and misunderstood throughout the world.

‘Like their concerts the disc is lively, imaginative, even anarchic... and a lot of fun.’ BBC Music Magazine

I Fagiolini’s core repertoire is Renaissance and contemporary solo-voice ensemble repertoire. In recent years it has pioneered innovative staged presentations with a project called The Theatre of Music, which brings classics of Renaissance secular music to life. This project has been a huge success with promoters and audiences. It recently released two DVDs on Chandos (Vecchi L'Amfiparnaso with Simon Callow) and Naxos ('The Full Monteverdi' - also broadcast around the world). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 428

"JANICULUM was founded by Jane Clark primarily to perform the unpublished music she had found in her research on The Grand Tour. It takes its name from the hill in Rome.

Jane Clark, founder of Janiculum, is well known as a harpsichord recitalist in Europe and the USA.

Her research into the music of François Couperin and Domenico Scarlatti has received international recognition. The Scarlatti CD reflects her knowledge of Spanish folk music. In 1992 she played the complete Pièces de Clavecin of François Couperin at The Bate Collection in Oxford and her research on the background to the pieces is published in the Bate Collection Handbook series.

She has given recitals and lectures extensively in the USA including The Fine Arts Museum in Boston, The Frick Collection in New York, Indiana State University at Bloomington, Southern Methodist University in Dallas and The Round Top Festival Institute in Texas. She has taught, lectured and played at summer courses including the Dartington International Summer School, Fort Bergwin, New Mexico and the Aston Magna Academy at Yale. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 26, 2008 | Hits: 360

"This London-based ensemble have been playing since 1990. Their performances include the opening concert at the Aldeburgh Festival and the closing concert at York Early Music Festival; London's Lufthansa Festival (where they put "brought in one of the largest audiences at the festival"), the Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), St David's Hall (Cardiff), Sana'a & Aden (Yemen), Brezice Early Music Festival (Slovenia), Istanbul, Amsterdam International Festival of Jewish Music, Chinchilla Early Music Festival; tours in Germany, Italy and Holland. Broadcasts include BBC Radio 3, 4, and World Service; German, Dutch and Slovenian radio. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 334

"THE KING'S CONSORT is one of Europe's leading period instrument orchestras. Founded in 1980, TKC and its equally renowned Choir of The King's Consort have toured in five continents and appeared in almost every European country, in Japan, Hong Kong and the Far East, as well as North and South America. With 95 CDs in the catalogue, and more than one million CD sales, TKC is one of the world's most-recorded historical instrument orchestras. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 334

“la Brigata (Italian for a company of friends) was founded in 1989 by Kristine Szulik from Cheshire, (Alto) and Andrew Kirkman, with the aim of introducing audiences to some marvellous areas of early music that are now rarely performed.

la Brigata specialises in fully staged music-theatre pieces.  Danse Macabre,  100 years of the plague in 50 minutes.  Bisclavret, an interpretation of the lais of Marie de France.  The Feast of Fools, a mediaeval celebration of misrule.  Henry's Wives, Henry from his wives point of view.  Sex, Seduction and Insanity, music-theatre from the 1680's. ..“ Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2009 | Hits: 330

“La Nuova Musica is a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to the music of the European Renaissance and Baroque. In less than five years since its foundation by counter-tenor David Bates, it has shot to prominence in the UK and abroad. Already a regular guest at the foremost Early Music venues and festivals, including King’s Place, Wigmore Hall and the Aldeburgh, Spitalfields and London Handel festivals, La Nuova Musica is establishing itself amongst critics and audiences as both a fixture and a breath of fresh air. …”

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Added on: Feb 08, 2012 | Hits: 287

“La Serenissima was formed in 1994 for a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s La Senna festeggiante (RV 693) and has now firmly established itself as one of the leading exponents of the music of Antonio Vivaldi and his Italian contemporaries.

La Serenissima has been universally applauded by publications such as Gramophone Magazine, The Sunday Times, BBC Music Magazine, Diapason, Fanfare Magazine, American Record Guide, The Independent, The Strad, La Stampa, Gaudisc, Goldberg Magazine and the London Evening Standard for its performances and recordings on the AVIE label. They have made nine recordings to date and received Gramophone Award nominations in 2008, 2009 and 2010. 2009 also saw ‘Vivaldi — The French Connection’ selected for Gramophone Magazine’s Editor’s Choice and in 2010 this record won a Gramophone Award. Their latest recording, ‘Vivaldi — Gods, Emperors & Angels’ was Record of the Week on Classic FM and on US stations WQXR and KDFC. Both albums reached the top ten of the US Billboard (Classical) Charts in 2010.”

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Added on: Nov 25, 2011 | Hits: 294

“In the world of Lady Georgianna, lascivious libertines and immodest maidens sport in the enchanted groves attended by nymphs and celestial zephyrs…

Wearing the flamboyant fashions of the Georgian and Regency eras we perform popular hits from the time of Marie Antoinette and Mad King George.

With voice, harpsichord and cello, we aim to bring to life the songs of the 18th century pleasure garden, interspersed with poetry and readings, for an unforgettable Georgian experience.

Lady Georgianna also perform popular Victorian music-hall songs and carols in late 19th century costume.”

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Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 269

"The "Magdalena Consort" has been created to bring together singers and instrumentalists of talent and personality to explore a highly-committed approach to music-making. These will be historically-informed performances, using appropriate vocal and instrumental forces, responding creatively to stylistic constraints with special emphasis on text, narrative, drama and engagement from all. At the heart of the group's activities will be the vocal music of J.S. Bach, but we shall be performing a wide range of music, with a focus also on English and French music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2008 | Hits: 357

“Full-on Medieval Music for Street Festivals, Carnivals, History Fairs and other events

We’re serious about medieval music, and we want the power of that music to reach as wide an audience as possible.  To bring you that power at full blast, we have formed Mandrake! featuring twinned bagpipes, hurdy gurdy and twinned percussion.  

It’s an infectious and boisterous mix that is well suited to popular public events.

In fully authentic medieval costume or carnival dress, led by its bagpipe divas, Mandrake! also makes a distinctive eye-catching spectacle.“

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 426

“The early music ensemble Mean Time was founded in 2003 in Greenwich, with the aim of creating innovative and varied programmes of music which are accessible, and appeal to a wide range of audiences.  Specialising in work with the recorder they are also proficient at singing and playing the baroque flute and harpsichord.  Often praised for their versatility they cover repertoire spanning the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods as well as a little contemporary music. 

All members studied early music at Trinity College of Music or The Royal College of Music under the direction of Philip Thorby and Ashley Solomon.  Since leaving college they have all enthusiastically entered the teaching profession and enjoy enriching the lives of young people through music.  They also enjoy delivering workshops and are committed to charity work having particularly enjoyed a project which took music into hospitals.  Performing regularly all over the country the group has played in venues such as Wistow Church as part of The Leicester Early Music Festival, Charlton House, The Greenwich Maritime Museum and St. Alfege Church.“

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Added on: Dec 28, 2011 | Hits: 186

“The allure is undeniable.  Six talented, attractive women breathe renewed life into the rich texts of medieval songs and poetry.  Their hauntingly beautiful music captures the imagination and devotion of modern audiences.  They are the Mediaeval Baebes, and in ten years they have placed three studio albums into the top of the UK classical charts and performed before enthusiastic audiences in the UK, United States, Canada and Europe.

Founding member Katharine Blake is also the music director and lead composer and arranger for the band. Born in London, Katharine was classically trained at the Purcell School of Music and Richmond College. In the mid-1990s she met musician Dorothy Carter in Berlin.  Carter was playing hurdy-gurdy
and dulcimer, and Blake was immediately drawn to the sound of the medieval music and instruments. Back in London, she and a group of friends got together to sing songs from the Middle Ages purely for their own enjoyment.  Within a year they had released their first album, Salva Nos, which climbed into the UK’s Classical chart, and became Virgin Classics’ fastest selling debut album.  Their 1998 follow-up album,  Worldes Bylsse, blazed to number one in the Classical Charts. ..“ Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2009 | Hits: 335

"Mediva's credo is to bring passion and life to music of previous times and go beyond authenticity experimenting with jazz, improvisation, theatre and dance.

In its various guises, Mediva can go from performing 12th century organum from original notation in a prominent Early Music Festival through to rocking out in a back street night-club.

Innovation and diversity are Mediva's key characteristics powered by the creative vision and energy of Ann Allen, one of the most cutting edge performers on the Early Music scene. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 402

"Mercurius is a young and innovative group which specialises in the performance and research of the Early Music, embracing in its repertoire works from the Baroque and Classical periods. Its young members had first met at the Royal Academy of Music while postgraduate students and develop intense solo careers along with their chamber and orchestral work.

The group gathers young musicians, recently graduated in some of the leading schools in Britain, representing thus a suitable environment for the continuing development of their artistic abilities. Mercurius functions as a co-operative where musicians, singers and dancers have a unique opportunity to work closely and exchange views and experiences, creating an exciting and rich melting pot for artistic production. The experience of reuniting art forms as they were conceived in the Baroque period, when instrumental & vocal music and dance could not be dissociated, is largely supported. Similarly, we base our research on the Expression of Passions and the comprehension of rhetorical speech and its importance in that period. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2008 | Hits: 447