EarlyMusicNews.Org

"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: 488

"The Irish Baroque Orchestra is Ireland’s only professional period instrument orchestra. Established in 1996 by Mark Duley and Thérèse Timoney, the Irish Baroque Orchestra has worked with many of the world’s greatest baroque players. Amongst the orchestra’s members are the most acclaimed young players in the international early music scene, many of whom work with the world’s finest ensembles. Using either baroque instruments or modern replicas, the orchestra explores the playing techniques and stylistic practices associated with music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and gives Irish audiences the rare and precious opportunity to hear this music in live performances that recreate the vivid colours and textures of the baroque sound world.

The orchestra presents four seasons of concerts annually along with a number of one off events. Such an arrangement allows for the most effective development of the ensemble’s sound and the players’ skills, as well as facilitating themed programming. In addition, each season includes a week of education initiatives, in conjunction with Dublin Institute of Technology Conservatory of Music and Drama. These seasons form the backbone of the orchestra’s work, its development and its artistic profile. Central to each season is a guest leader/director of international standing. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 405

"Harmony of Nations is a period-instrument orchestra of young musicians from all over Europe, specialising in the music of the Baroque era. They got to know each other during the year they spent touring as members of the European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO), and decided that the experience was too rewarding for it not to continue.

While with EUBO, the musicians performed under the direction of some of the finest Baroque musicians in Europe: Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Ton Koopman and Andrew Manze. They gave concerts all over Europe including Paris, London, Prague and Amsterdam, playing music ranging from Biber, Purcell and Charpentier, to Bach, Telemann, Handel, Rameau and Zelenka. They also made a recording of the Handel cantata Ero e Leandro with the Polish soprano Iwona Sobotka, First Prize Winner Laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium, 2004. Rehearsing and touring in such a concentrated way gave their playing a depth and energy that they carry forward into the new independent orchestra.

The 20 founding members of the orchestra come from 14 different nations: Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. Many have also lived and studied in countries other than their own. It is this incredible diversity of cultural heritage and musical experience that gives Harmony of Nations its unique character, and a vivacity that echoes the hectic pace of modern European life while simultaneously reigniting a common musical heritage. " View website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 413

"The 18th Century Concert Orchestra communicates the brilliance and drama of baroque music, combining period instruments, candlelight and resplendent 18th-century attire to present a uniquely atmospheric recreation of 18th-century musical life.

A typical evening: the scene is set by Mr. Holt, dedicated Master of Candles, providing illumination before the musicians appear in their strikingly colourful costumes. The assembled band, comprised of fiddlers, hautboys and harpsichordist, bow gracefully and soon launch into a striking overture – perhaps one of Don Antonio Vivaldi's (designed to arrest the attention of a packed and noisy Venetian opera house). Concertos, arias and dance suites are interspersed with informative and witty anecdotes drawn from 18th-century histories, journals and treatises. Such sources also inform our programming as they often make mention of popular works scarcely known today (e.g. comic overtures). Baroque classics feature alongside these rare items. The authentic 18th-century elements: period instruments, wooden music desks, individually tailored shoes and costumes, mohair wigs, candlelight and readings.

Since its foundation in 2001 the orchestra has played in theatres, concert halls, churches and stately homes across the UK and further afield (including a 2 week tour of Canada). Their endeavours have earned them a National Lottery award and Arts Council England recognition, and a performance of Handel's Messiah was filmed for two television programmes in the recent Channel 4 series Georgian Underworld. Appearances also include: Blenheim Palace, Holywell Music Room (Oxford), Great Witley Church, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Stroud Subscription Room, and Theatre Royal Bath, where they give two performances of Handel's Messiah to sell-out houses every year. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 351

"Enthusiastic and experienced players of all ages meeting in Coventry, from as far afield as Yorkshire and Bedfordshire. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 30, 2008 | Hits: 347

"The Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra have been performing continuously since their foundation in Budapest. The chief conductor and artistic director of both ensembles is György Vashegyi, but they have also given concerts with guest conductors such as Nicholas McGegan and Howard Williams. The choir consists of 20-45 young soloists; the orchestra plays - on period instruments - with 15-45 members, and has undertaken successful tours in Austria (Vienna/Salzburg, “Toujours Mozart” 2004, 2005), Germany (Dresden, "Festspiele" 1993), France (Paris, "Festival d'Art Sacré" 1995, "Festival Périgord-Noir" 2001, etc.), Belgium (Namur, Europalia 1999), Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Israel (Rishon LeZion Spring Festival 2001) and South America. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 29, 2008 | Hits: 385

"Tempesta di Mare performs baroque music on baroque instruments with what the Philadelphia City Paper describes as “zest and virtuosity that transcends style and instrumentation.” Led by co-directors Gwyn Roberts and Richard Stone with concertmaster Emlyn Ngai, Tempesta di Mare's repertoire ranges from staged opera with full orchestra to chamber music. Tempesta di Mare is named for baroque master Antonio Vivaldi’s concerto meaning “storm at sea,” a title reflecting composers’ belief in the power of their music to evoke drama. Roberts and Stone founded Tempesta in 1996 to pursue their ideal of baroque music as a rhetorical, dramatic art form. The group’s debut CD of recorder sonatas by Veracini, released that year on PGM, received BBC Music Magazine's highest rating, with such praise as “world-class virtuosity” and “breathtaking results.” ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 18, 2008 | Hits: 507

"Founded and directed by Krzysztof Czerwinski, the Polish Baroque Orchestra (Polish: Polska Orkiestra Barokowa) is an ensemble of players dedicated to the music of the Baroque and Classical period, featuring historically informed performance practice. Some of the Orchestra's performances have been broadcast on Polish Television.

The Polish Baroque Orchestra is run by a society. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 14, 2008 | Hits: 435

"The Baroque orchestra Modo Antiquo is regarded as one of the leading ensembles on the international early music scene.

Founded by Federico Maria Sardelli, Modo Antiquo brings together specialists in Baroque music who share a taste for instrumental virtuosity and an in-depth knowledge of historical performance styles and languages.

With its specific approach to performance of Italian Baroque music, and of Vivaldi in particular, Modo Antiquo has become established as a benchmark ensemble in this field. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 351

"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: 678

"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: 613

"Founded in Italy in 1992 by Alan Curtis, one of the most acclaimed specialists in the interpretation of pre-romantic music, Il Complesso Barocco, has become a renowned international baroque orchestra with a focus on Italian Baroque opera and oratorio. One of their first important collaborations was with the film director Werner Herzog, who chose the ensemble as protagonist in the film Morte a cinque voci (Prix Italia 1996 and Premio Rembrandt, Amsterdam 1996) dedicated to the composer Carlo Gesualdo. Since then, their high standard for interpretation, intonation and stylistic accuracy has led to their being requested in the most important concert venues and festivals in Europe and America. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 587

"Three-time Grammy Nominee Boston Baroque—the first permanent Baroque orchestra established in North America—is now widely regarded as this country's leading period-instrument orchestra and chorus. The ensemble's performances and recordings of the Baroque and Classical repertoire have been acclaimed from Boston to London, from New York to Vienna to Sao Paulo for their freshness, virtuosity, and exuberant appeal.

Founded in 1973 by Martin Pearlman, Boston Baroque presents an annual subscription concert series in Greater Boston and reaches an international audience with its critically acclaimed recording series on Telarc. Boston Baroque made its European debut in April 2003, performing Handel's Messiah to sold-out houses and standing ovations in Krakow and Warsaw, Poland. The ensemble celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2003–2004 with a tour of the Monteverdi Vespers to major American music centers, including the Tanglewood and Ravinia Festivals and its West Coast debut in Los Angeles's Disney Hall. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 401

"The Bach Sinfonia is a Maryland-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to excellence in performance and public education regarding eighteenth-century music. Currently in its thirteenth season, Sinfonia presents a series of unique educational concerts, open dress rehearsals, and listening lectures regarding music from the eighteenth century. Sinfonia strives to create programs that differ from the standard classical music concert by providing performances that are not just listening entertainments but also learning experiences.

Each historically-informed performance is programmed on a theme chosen by artistic director and musicologist Daniel Abraham to inform the listener about the genres, sociology, and performance practices of the eighteenth century. Played by early music specialists, the programs are interspersed with musical and historical discussions aimed to help further audience appreciation and understanding of the music. The Washington Post and various area news organizations have recognized Sinfonia's continuing excellence in performance and education.

As part of our mission, Sinfonia also conducts research into music and performance techniques of the eighteenth-century. Throughout our past seasons, we have presented a number of significant modern-premieres and programs including: the first hearing in North America of Handel's Gloria (rediscovered in 2002), the modern premiere of Marie Emannuel Bayon-Louis' comic opera Fleur d'Épine, and the first complete performance in North America of Johann Sebastian Bach's Alles mit Gott und nichts mit ohn' ihn, BWV 1127 (rediscovered June 2005) in concert at the 2005 National Meeting of the American Musicological Society (AMS). The major work heard on the AMS program, Handel's Alexander's Feast, along with a recording of BWV 1127, was released internationally on Dorian Records in the fall of 2006. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 468

"Named Musical America's "Ensemble of the Year" for 2004, San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra has been dedicated to historically-informed performance of Baroque, Classical and early-Romantic music on original instruments since its inception in 1981.

Under the leadership of Nicholas McGegan, its Music Director since 1985, Philharmonia has become "an ensemble for early music as fine as any in the world today" (Los Angeles Times). The Orchestra performs a subscription season in four cities in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is regularly heard on tour in the United States and internationally. In addition to Mr. McGegan, the Orchestra has welcomed eminent guest conductors to its podium including William Christie, Andrew Parrott, Jordi Savall, Gustav Leonhardt, Monica Huggett and Stanley Ritchie. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 406

"In a few short years, The New York Collegium has earned a reputation as one of North America’s very finest baroque bands. Renowned conductor, author, and historian Andrew Parrott has distinguished the work of The Collegium with performances of the highest caliber and programs that connect music making to the social, political, religious and literary milieu of its creation. The ensemble’s players and singers are all specialists in performing in the musical styles of the 17th and 18th centuries; many were pioneers in the field of historically informed performance and have regularly performed in the most prestigious festivals and ensembles in Europe. The New York Collegium has been featured on broadcasts on WNYC New York Public Radio, WGBH in Boston, Colorado Public Radio and NPR’s Performance Today, and has made guest appearances at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), The Metropolitan Museum and The Savannah Music Festival. A concert by The New York Collegium will be the featured performance to open The Bach Festival of Philadelphia in March 2007.

The Collegium also maintains an innovative teaching residency in New York City public schools, providing recorder, percussion and classical guitar instruction to entire classrooms of 2nd to 8th grade children. Recorder virtuoso Nina Stern, the Director of Education for The New York Collegium, has received honors for her educational work, including an Endicott Fellowship in 2003 and the “Early Music Brings History Alive” award from Early Music America in 2005. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 379

" About Corelli Concerts Corelli Concerts began when Warwick Cole founded the Corelli Chamber Orchestra. Initially a modern-instrument string orchestra specialising in music of the 18th century, it soon developed its programming presenting 19th and 20th music in conjunction with its core repertoire. Although based in Cheltenham (England), it has performed throughout the UK for music festivals, societies and clubs.

Now, specialising in period-instrument performance we promote a varied series of concerts in and around Cheltenham as well as providing orchestras and ensembles for other concert promoters further afield.

We chose the name 'Corelli' in honour of Archangelo Corelli, the 17th-century Italian violinist and composer. Corelli's music is distinctive: it was he who first established the principles of melodic elegance twinned with harmonic control which was to become the foundation of much 18th-century music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 467

"In the fall of 1997, a group of Atlanta musicians met to organize the first permanent period instrument orchestra in the Southeast--the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra. The ABO gave its premiere concert in January 1998, and since then the ABO has grown to be one of the best orchestras of its type in North America ... " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 721

"Baroque Etcetera is an instrumental and vocal group that strives for historically-informed performance practice. We play at baroque pitch (A=415) on historical wind instruments, including flute, recorder, oboe and bassoon, and our string players use gut strings, baroque bows and baroque bowing techniques. But we've been known to slip in some Mozart and Shannon under the umbrella of "etcetera"! " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 02, 2008 | Hits: 798

"AROW was founded in 2000 and comprises dedicated, enthusiastic musicians who live throughout Northern California. AROW musicians play the entire recorder family, from sopranino to contrabass. Monthly rehearsals are held on Saturdays in the fall, winter & early spring months. The American Recorder Orchestra of the West has a reputation for embarking on explorations and programs of music that one would not expect recorders to dare to play. In recent years AROW has performed German, French, English, Medieval, and Eastern European programs which have included both the formal and the folk sides of national musical traditions. AROW has played music that ranges through the history of Western Music. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 02, 2008 | Hits: 374

"To advance our community’s appreciation for music from the Middle Ages through the 18th century by providing performances, support, and education."

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 26, 2008 | Hits: 517

"Established as a chamber ensemble in 1976, the Philomel Baroque Orchestra is now Philadelphia’s foremost baroque ensemble performing concerts of early music. Core members of the Philomel Baroque Orchestra also perform as the Philomel Baroque Quintet. Philomel's activities include a major series of 12 to 15 early music concerts Philadelphia and environs; touring engagements; recording; radio broadcasts; and community outreach programs to elderly audiences, public school students, and young listeners and their parents. In addition, Philomel Baroque Orchestra recently initiated a series of programs presenting the music and arts of early Philadelphia in a number of the city’s leading historic sites. Performances introduce tourists, regional audiences, and local students to everyday life in the cultural capital of the emerging nation. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 547

"The Boston Camerata preserves and reawakens human memory as expressed through the art of music. It accomplishes this mission through live, historically informed, professional performances of European and American music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras; through study and research into musical sources of the past; through sound recordings and media projects; and through community outreach and musical education.

Founded in 1954, The Boston Camerata was associated until 1974 with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Since 1968, Joel Cohen has directed the ensemble's teaching, research, recording and concert activities. Camerata began touring overseas in 1974, and has maintained an international presence ever since. In recent seasons, Camerata has been heard in Canada, England, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Israel.. In the United States, Camerata has participated in recent early music festivals at Berkeley and San Antonio, as well as in most of the biennial Boston Early Music Festivals from 1981 to 1993. The ensemble has maintained an extensive touring schedule across the entire United States. Camerata's second, third and fourth invitations to the renowned Tanglewood Festival came in 1992, 1994 and 1995, respectively. Camerata undertook its first Japanese tour in 1995; it gave its first Scandinavian performances in 1996. The group's first invitation to participate in the Kalamazoo Medieval Institute came in 1997. A widely praised national tour of Cantigas in 2000 marked Camerata’s first collaboration with the Sharq Arabic Music Ensemble; the two groups most recently appeared together in Paris in April, 2007. Camerata celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2005 with festive productions in Boston (Boston Early Music Festival) and Paris (Théatre de la Ville). At the latter appearance, director Joel Cohen was decorated by the French government. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 431

"The Bach Collegium Japan was founded in 1990 by Masaaki Suzuki, who remains its music Director, with the aim of introducing Japanese audiences to period instrument performances of great works from the baroque period. BCJ is comprised of both baroque orchestra and chorus, and their major activities include an annual concert series of Bach’s cantatas and a number of instrumental programs. " ...

Added on: Aug 14, 2007 | Hits: 498

"Ton Koopman founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in 1979. The group consists of internationally renowned baroque specialists who meet up several times a year and work together to prepare and perform new exciting programmes.

For the musicians each concert is a new experience and Koopman's boundless energy and enthusiasm are a sure guarantee of the highest quality of every single performance. The repertoire of the orchestra includes instrumental and vocal-instrumental works composed between 1600 and 1791. “I draw the line at Mozart’s death” says Ton Koopman.

The Amsterdam Baroque Choir was founded in 1992 and it made its début during the Holland Festival of Early Music in Utrecht performing the world première of the Requiem (for 15 voices) and Vespers (for 32 voices) by H.I.F. Biber. For both works this was the world premiere and the recording won the Cannes Classical Award for the best performance of 17th/18th century choral music. For its rare combination of textural clarity and interpretative flexibility, the Amsterdam Baroque Choir is considered among today’s most outstanding choirs. " ...

Added on: Aug 14, 2007 | Hits: 424