EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Peter Wendland performs as a soloist, specializing in the repertoire for unaccompanied solo viola da gamba, and is a member of various ensembles in the UK and Germany, including the acclaimed Rose Consort of Viols. Peter has made numerous recordings for radio and television and CD, including Bach’s Art of the Fugue with the Kölner Violen Consort, the first recording of the twelve sonatas for violin, viola da gamba and basso continuo by Johann Philipp Krieger (1649-1725) with the Baroque violinist Mihoko Kimura, and a recording of contemporary music by the American cult composer, "Moondog". Recent recordings with The Rose Consort of Viols on Naxos include "Elizabethan Songs and Consort Music" with Catherine King, Mezzo-soprano. Peter is also an experienced teacher and lecturer. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 313

"Dmitry Badiarov was born in Russia, lived and worked in Saint-Petersburg, Brussels and Tokyo. Dmitry Badiarov's career is a symbiosis of two professions: violin playing and making. As a luthier he made approx. 60 instruments, including the innovative violoncellos da spalla for players such as Ryo Terakado and Sigiswald Kuijken. In 2007 he made a set of innovative early baroque violins which have been played by La Petite Bande in March and October 2007. As a soloist on the violoncello da spalla he performed with Bach Collegium Japan and La Petite Bande. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 378

"After several years of freelancing, Angela, in 1979, acquired a baroque cello and became co-principal cello with the English Baroque Soloists under Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Since then she has become a well-known continuo players and concerto soloist with a number of baroque orchestras such as the Brandenburg Consort and the Gabrieli Consort. She has performed at La Scala, Milan, the Sydney Opera House, the Carnegie Hall, the Palace of Versailles, the Presidential Palace in Portugal and ancient ruins of Pompeii and Athens. She performed in Handel's birthplace (Halle, East Germany) on the tercentenary of his birth and in 1989 undertook a world tour visiting the USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan ad Hong Kong. She also played Principal Cello in the first performance on original instruments at Glyndebourne with Sir Simon Rattle. Her performances have included many radio broadcasts, recordings and television appearances, notably for the Open University. She has contributed articles to Early Music Today magazine and has been awarded and ARAM for he distinguished services to the music profession.

As one of the early pioneers of historical performance practice, her enthusiasm extends beyond the conventional parameters of early music in to the nineteenth century. To this end from 1990-2006 she founded and directed the Revolutionary Drawing Room, a multi-instrumental ensemble with the Revolutionary String Quartet as its core. She has now handed this group over to the leader, Adrian Butterfield.

She is member of Red Priest, the surrealist and theatrical baroque ensemble with Piers Adams (recorder). This group performs about 70 concerts annually, all over the world. It has founded its own recording company, Red Priest Recordings." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 12, 2008 | Hits: 360

"Matthew Wadsworth, lutenist, is in great demand as a soloist, continuo player and chamber musician. He has appeared at major festivals in the UK, Europe and North America and can frequently be heard on radio, both in live performance and on disc.

Matthew has recorded for Avie, Deux-Elles, Linn and EMI Records. His CDs, “When Laura Smiles”, (featuring music by Phillip Rosseter), “Away Delights” (Robert Johnson) and “14 Silver Strings” (Kapsberger and Piccinini) have received international critical acclaim.

Matthew is delighted to have recently been taken on as a solo artist by Channel Classics, and their first collaboration, ‘Masters of the Lute’ was Editor’s Choice in Gramophone Magazine, December 2006. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 498

"British lutenist Nigel North has been sharing music with audiences for nearly 30 years. His quiet and gentle personality goes, literally, "hand in hand" with his choice of instrument; the lute is one of the most gentle, subtle yet technically demanding of "ancient" instruments. Through this medium, as soloist, accompanist and ensemble musician, Nigel has inspired appreciation from concert public and recording listeners ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 358

"Named after the 19th century baryton virtuoso Vincenzo Hauschka, the Hauschka Ensemble has been amazing audiences for the last ten years. It specialises in the remarkable repertoire of works for self-accompanied baryton, from 17th century works in modified lute tablature through to contemporary works written especially for them. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 665

"David Parsons studied at the Royal College of Music as a pupil of Diana Poulton. Since his Wigmore Hall debut he has performed at many of the principal European Early Music events as well as touring in the USA. His recent recordings include a critically acclaimed CD of Elizabethan Lute Music from Robert Dowland’s Varietie of Lute Lessons (Metronome) which was followed by the Haydn Lute Trio’s recording of 18th century German Galant chamber music (ASV). Most recently he has recorded a programme of Guitar Music and Songs by the Catalan guitarist and composer, Fernando Sor together with soprano Evelyn Tubb. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 312

"Giovanna Pessi was born in Basel, Switzerland, and began playing the harp at age 7. At the age of 13, she began to play on an instrument by Erard, built in 1800. The experience with this historical harp, its light touch, and unique sound, motivated her to focus her studies towards early music and historical instruments. From 1993 to 1995, Ms. Pessi studied the 18th century pedal harp with Edward Witsenburg in Den Haag. Beginning in 1994, she also studied with Heidrun Rosenzweig at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. In 1998, she won the Basler Hans Huber Stiftung prize and, in 2000, she received the diploma for historical harp of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. From 2000-2002, Giovanna Pessi studied with the Norwegian Lutist, Rolf Lislevand, at the “Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen”, Germany. Studying Lute literature from John Dowland to Johann Sebastian Bach allowed her to cultivate and develop her own musical language. She has participated in master classes given by Mara Galassi and Andrew Lawrence King. As a soloist and accompanist Giovanna Pessi performed with groups and conductors such as Ricercar Consort, Christian Wallumrod Ensemble, Ensemble Kapsberger, Concentus Musicus, Les Flamboyants, La Fenice, Konrad Junghänel, Philippe Pierlot, Rolf Lislevand, Harry Bicket, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Marc Minkowski. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 591

"Masako Art (née Fujimura), began to play harp after long years of piano. After the university, she took historical harp lessons from William Taylor in Scotland and began her studies in medieval and renaissance music at Schola Cantorum in Basel, which she finished with a diploma in Baroque harp in 2004. Currently she has been in the class of Mara Galassi in Milan. Masako took part in opera productions with Jean-Claude Malgoire in Staatsoper Stuttgart, Theatre Lyrique de Tourcoing and Theatre Champs Elysee and with René Jacobs in Innsbrucker Festwochen, Theater an der Wien and Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin, as well as in diverse baroque orchestras and chamber ensembles. She participated in recordings including those with New London Consort (Frottole), Luca Scandali and Stefano Molardi (Giovanni Maria Trabaci), and with Il Vero Modo (Arcadia, Love Letters) and in CD/DVD "L'Orfeo" with Le Grand Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy, as well as radio/TV recordings by DRS, ORF, 3SAT, arte and FranceMusique. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 411

"When harpist Ann Fierens completed her training at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, she was convinced that she should continue her orchestral career. She commenced her continuing education with the iWhen harpist Ann Fierens completed her training at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, she was convinced that she should continue her orchestral career. She commenced her continuing education with the intention to follow the same road and to discover the possibilities within the music scene in Belgium. She was given the opportunity to work with Dick van der Harst in an Oxalys production and het Muziek Lod and she played works by Debussy, Ravel, Glière and Fontyn as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra.

Her teacher Erika Waardenburg urged her to dedicate herself to the repertory from the classical period. She soon discovered that the eighteenth century represented a fascinating episode in harp history: the single action pedal harp was invented and soon entered a glorious period when it was introduced to the French court and the Concert Sprituel.

When Ann first met ‘her’ Erard, it was love at first sight. Fascinated by the rich sound of the instrument, she dived into libraries looking for old methods and writings which would teach her how to play and look after her instrument in the best way. The cooperation continued to improve and Ann developed a passion for music, musicians and instruments dating from the 18th and the early 19th century. ntention to follow the same road and to discover the possibilities within the music scene in Belgium. She was given the opportunity to work with Dick van der Harst in an Oxalys production and het Muziek Lod and she played works by Debussy, Ravel, Glière and Fontyn as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra. Her teacher Erika Waardenburg urged her to dedicate herself to the repertory from the classical period. She soon discovered that the eighteenth century represented a fascinating episode in harp history: the single action pedal harp was invented and soon entered a glorious period when it was introduced to the French court and the Concert Sprituel. When Ann first met ‘her’ Erard, it was love at first sight. Fascinated by the rich sound of the instrument, she dived into libraries looking for old methods and writings which would teach her how to play and look after her instrument in the best way. The cooperation continued to improve and Ann developed a passion for music, musicians and instruments dating from the 18th and the early 19th century. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 468

"PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY

• To cultivate, foster, sponsor, and develop appreciation of the art, history, literature and uses of historical harps.

• To promote appreciation of and to raise the level of proficiency in the performance and use of historical harps.

• To keep historical harp makers and performers, along with other friends of the historical harp, informed about literatureand activities pertaining to historical harps, and to provide occasions for them to meet.

• To promote the use of historical harps as professional instruments, and to encourage their use among amateurs.

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 383

The International Association of Harpists and Friends of the Harp. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 468

"Essi Iso-Oja (Ellonen) holds a Master's degree in the harp performance from Sibelius Academy and the additional studies of history at The University of Tampere. She has over twenty-years experience as an orchestral and chamber music harpist with the major Finnish orchestras (for example Lahti Symphony Orchestra) and with the various ensembles ranging from Early Music to the Contemporary field. She has also given lectures about the harp music in Finland as well as composed and arranged music for the harp.

During the recent years Essi has focused in Early Music and the historical pedal harp (the single action harp) by playing and researching the instrument and its original repertoire. She owns currently five harps, among them is a Louis XVI harp by Beat Wolf, built after historical models (Naderman, Cousineau).

You can hear Essi's harp also in the numerous film soundtracks, like the awarded documents Mechanical Love (dir. Phie Ambo 2007), Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman (dir. Jennifer Fox 2006) and Along the Road Little Child (dir. Virpi Suutari & Susanna Helke 2005).

Essi Iso-Oja is a member of the Historical Harp Society, the Finnish Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and a founding member of the Finnish Harp Society. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 334

"Mike Parker is a harpist and musicologist who initially studied instrument building at the London College of Furniture, building and restoring 'early' and folk harps. His repertoire covers many styles of music from 'early' and folk styles through baroque and classical and into the world of 'light music' and pop.

He is the only Englishman to have been awarded Olamh Sui (Doctorate) by the Institute of Traditional Celtic Music, which was awarded for his work relating to the historical usage of the harp in the Celtic nations. He researches all aspects of the historical harp and modern folk music, resulting in a collection of 23 harps (with 2 more under construction) to enable him to use the most appropriate instrument and technique for each type of music.

Mike Parker completed an MMus in Performance & Related Studies in 2003 on the single action harp, at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

A specialist on the development technique and repertoire of the single action harp (1770-1825) and he has written a book, 'Child of pure harmony' on this subject. The solo recording 'A twist of the rope' [JNL CD1] is available in larger UK music stores and features Celtic music from the last 900 years played on 5 harps. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 517

“Miguel Yisrael - formerly Miguel Serdoura, now carrying the surname of his mother -  was born in 1973, in Lisbon, where he began his musical and artistic career. Miguel Yisrael is at the forefront of the new generation of European lutenists. He completed his musical education with the renowned master Hopkinson Smith, who as referred to him in 2005 as a "passionate and intelligent musician who deserves to be heard in the world".”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 373

"The Deutsche Lautengesellschaft e.V. (German Lute Society) was founded in Stuttgart 1996. To support research, to encourage the performance of lute music and to increase the public awareness of this instrument are the main aims of the activities in international contacts, like to the other European Lute Societies and the Lute Society of America for example. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 393

"The Belgian Lute Academy is an association formed to promote contacts between people interested in lute activities taking place in Belgium. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 793

"Hopkinson Smith has been called the most moving of present day lutenists...he approaches the lute's universe with a musicality which goes far beyond the seemingly limited voice of his instrument. We invite you to explore on this website the magic of his lute and its music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 452

"Lex Eisenhardt is one of Europe's foremost experts on early guitars, like the Vihuela, the Baroque- and Romantic guitars. He currently teaches both classical guitar and historical plucked instruments at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.

He has been a soloist in the Holland Early Music Festival in Utrecht. He also has given concerts in the Early Music network, both as a soloist and together with soprano Maria-Luz Alvarez. He was invited for concerts and classes throughout Europe, the United States and Australia. He has made extensive study of the vihuela literature and playing technique, as well as of the very specific technique of the baroque guitar. As a result he made recordings of vihuela works by the sixteenth century Spanish composer Luys de Narvaez and several with music for the baroque guitar (see discography).

Lex Eisenhardt has also made recordings of music by Fernando Sor on an original period instrument. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 336

"Gerard REBOURS is the only French holder of the Diplôme Supérieur in baroque guitar from the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, and was the first musician to obtain the Diplôme d'Etat in renaissance and baroque guitar.

In addition to a solo and duet recording he has made a CD with the group "Les Sonneurs", another with the "Compagnie Maitre Guillaume", has recorded music on historical instruments for the Paris "Cité de la Musique" and has performed on the sound track of several films such as Pirates (Polanski), Cyrano de Bergerac (Rappeneau), Mansart (Delaborde). ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 331

"Donatella Galletti studied guitar with Aldo Minella and lute (Renaissance, Baroque, Archlute, Theorbo and Baroque guitar )with Paolo Cherici , and she got the two Diplomas at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi of Milan. She has taken part in International Master Classes (Jakob Lindberg, Paul O' Dette, Nigel North and others).She recorded CDs for Stradivarius Editions with Euterpe Group , playing musics by G.Croce and A.Willaert . She gave lectures on English music for the British Council. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 357

"I am mainly interested in the so called "art music". I still keep my ears open to other genres, too. I play different types of European lutes; late renaissance and early baroque are closest to my heart. The most interesting period for me is around year 1600 - the time when late renaissance turned into early baroque. The extreme time limits for the types of lutes I play are 1500-1750. Well, sometimes I break these limits, though... ;-)

I especially enjoy playing continuo (improvising harmonic texture on a written bass line, an example ) for a singer or a melody instrument player. That's why I wrote 1994 a small manual for those, who want to start this tremendous art: Basics of the basics of lute continuo. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 272

" Raphaella Smits plays worldwide in her unique way eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Solo recitals as well as performances in duo with the most distinguished colleagues. Besides that stage-work she has made 16 albums, many of them being listed as indispensable to refined music lovers.

Raphaella Smits is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar and chamber music. In addition to her chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium, she regularly gives master classes in West and East Europe, in North and South America and in Japan.

Organizers of international music competitions ask Raphaella as a member of the jury because of her ability to listen and to judge so accurately. Here again she shows her talent to combine professional skills with a great sense of empathy.

Raphaella Smits is called quite rightly "une Grande Musicienne." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 451

"Benjamin Narvey was born in Montréal in 1978 and began his musical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto). Upon completion of his conservatory training in classical guitar in Canada, he took a Bachelor of Music degree from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, where he studied the lute and continuo with David Miller. Benjamin has also benefited musically from studies with Paul O'Dette, Nigel North, Robert Barto, Pat O'Brien, Stephen Stubbs, Jacob Heringman, Elizabeth Kenny, and William Carter on the lute, as he has further refined various aspects of period practice with Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rooley, Rachel Podger, Nancy Hadden, Stephen Preston, Nicholas Parle, Pamela Thorby, and Rachel Brown. After having taken a Master of Studies degree from the University of Oxford in 2004, where he researched elements of enlightenment tonal theory with special reference to the writings of Jean-Philippe Rameau, Benjamin has continued at Oxford pursuing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Music. In 2005, Benjamin was awarded the Lute Society of America Scholarship, and became the Invited Lecturer and Guest Performer at the Lute Society of AmericaWestern Seminar 2005, which was held in conjunction with the Vancouver Early Music Festival (Canada). Benjamin currently resides in Paris where he pursues his research, whilst continuing as an active professional lutenist performing both as a soloist and with numerous singers and ensembles. Recent performance highlights include appearances at the Brighton Early Music Festival, the City of London Festival, the Mars en Baroque Festival (Marseille & Aix-en-Provence) and in concerts accompanying singers Matthew Vine, Robert MacDonald, and Ian Honeyman."

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 375

Cyril Gilbert, Lutenist. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 296