EarlyMusicNews.Org

"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: 418

“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: 396

"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: 540

"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: 357

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

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 488

"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: 405

"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: 494

"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: 434

"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: 623

"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: 334

"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: 702

"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: 372

"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: 522

"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: 386

"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: 410

"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: 333

"Jakob Lindberg was born in Djursholm in Sweden and developed his first passionate interest in music through the Beatles. He started to play the guitar and soon became interested in the classical repertoire. From the age of fourteen he studied with Jörgen Rörby who also gave him his first tuition on the lute. After reading music at Stockholm University he went to London to study at the Royal College of Music. Here he further developed his knowledge of the lute repertoire under the guidance of Diana Poulton and decided towards the end of his studies to concentrate on renaissance and baroque music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 430

"The American-born lutenist Jacob Heringman studied with Jakob Lindberg at the Royal College of Music in London, and later with Pat O'Brien in New York.

Based in England since 1987, he has established himself as one of the world’s most respected and most innovative solo lute players, and as a much sought-after ensemble player performing regularly throughout Europe and North and South America, and making many CD and radio recordings of medieval and renaissance music with leading English ensembles, including The Rose Consort of Viols, Fretwork, Musicians of the Globe, The Kings Singers, The New London Consort, Virelai and The Dufay Collective.

As a continuo player, Jacob Heringman performed and recorded with The King's Consort, The English Baroque Soloists, The Parley of Instruments and The Taverner Consort, among others. In 1993, he left the continuo circuit to focus on renaissance solo and ensemble projects.

Jacob's playing is also to be heard on the soundtracks of many Hollywood films (most recently, Harry Potter III and Kingdom of Heaven), and occasionally on pop albums (most recently, Joni Mitchell's Travelogue). " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 446

"Ibrahim (Ibi) Aziz was born in Malaysia and began music lessons when he was eight. In 1999 he went to Trinity College of Music London to study the viola da gamba under Alison Crum. During his studies he was also privately taught by Sarah Cunningham, and attended various master classes in the UK and Europe given by Jordi Savall and Wieland Kuijken. He is the recipient of many awards and prizes: while at Trinity he became the first winner of their Early Music Prize, and was the first person in the college’s history to win its prestigious Gold Medal on a period instrument over all other mainstream instrumentalists. Mr Aziz now divides his time performing and teaching. He plays with a number of period groups and ensembles in the UK and abroad, most notably Sestina Consort, Charivari Agreable and The Maresienne Consort, with whom he has recorded for Signum Classics. He is a member of the internationally acclaimed Rose Consort Consort of Viols. As a young player he recently helped found ‘Chelys’, a young professional viol consort based in the UK. Mr Aziz is the viol tutor at Morley College, London, and regularly teaches at The Dartington International Summer School, The Benslow Early Music Courses, The Ascot (and Irish) Early Music Courses, among others. Recent engagements include appearances in concerts at the City of London Festival, The York Early Music Festival, Italy, Ireland and on BBC Radio 3's In Tune with Sean Rafferty. Forthcoming events include performances in Switzerland, at the Brighton Festival, Greenwich International Early Music Festival, The Snape Maltings concert hall in Aldeburgh, and a broadcast on the Early Music Show on BBC Radio 3 with The Rose Consort of Viols. Mr. Aziz plays a seven-string bass viola da gamba by Jane Julier after Nicholas Bertrand, and a treble viola da gamba by Kazuya Sato. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 830

"Voixhumaines is the alias of Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks, a successful Dutch soloist on the viola da gamba or bass viol. Ralph performs in solo and ensemble settings, giving solo concerts thoughout and outside Europe.

"Les Voix Humaines" is a famous piece by the renowned French viola da gamba player and composer Marin Marais (1656-1728). It is also the name used to envelope professional musical activities of Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 432

"This website has been created as an information-sharing network to facilitate communication among Canadian players of the viola da gamba. Whether you are new to the viol (curious for more information, wanting to rent or buy an instrument or find a teacher), an amateur (perhaps interested in attending a workshop or concert) or a professional (who wants to post information about an upcoming event or locate players in a different region), we hope this website will serve as a useful resource. Travelling across the country on holiday or for business? There may be other players in the area who'd like to get together to play informally, or perhaps there is a concert or workshop that fits within your schedule.

Who are we? The concept for a Canadian Viol Players information-sharing network was originally proposed at an informal meeting of the Canadian participants in the Viola da Gamba Society of America's annual Conclave, during the summer of 2005. In response to that demand, the information on this website was compiled by Joëlle Morton (Toronto), assisted by Sara Blake (Toronto), Peter Payzant (Halifax) and Chrissy Spencer (Vancouver). "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 503

"Alison Crum is one of the best known British exponents of the viol. As teacher, performer, and moving-spirit behind several well-known groups, she travels all over the world giving recitals and lectures, and teaching on summer schools and workshops.

She got her first viol while studying music at Reading University, and went on to study it in Brussels with Wieland Kuijken and, later, with Jordi Savall in Basle. She has made around eighty recordings - mostly with the Consort of Musicke, the Dowland Consort, Musica Antiqua of London, and the Rose Consort of Viols - but also featuring as a soloist on two discs of Marais, and most recently with Laurence Cummings, on a recording of the three Bach gamba sonatas, and playing Italian Virtuoso divisions on renaissance viols with Musica Antiqua on their latest release 'Word Play'.

She is President of the Viola da Gamba Society of Great Britain, and is Professor of Viol at Trinity College of Music in London.She directs many courses for viol players, including the International Viol Summer School, attracting players from all over the world, and has had published a series of graded music books centred around her highly acclaimed textbook 'Play the Viol' - now in its fifth reprint. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 18, 2008 | Hits: 401

"Gregorio Paniagua was born in Madrid. At 16,he was named Captain of the Real Madrid Junior Basketball team by coach P.Ferrandiz. Medical studies at the Complutense University and the Jiménez Diaz Foundation. Received his first lessons in painting from his grandmother Dña. María de Calderón-a pupil of Vicente Lopez-pupil of Goya. Violoncello at the Royal Conservatory under the cathedra of Don Ricardo Vivó. Viola da gamba with August Wenzinger, Director of Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Orchestral Direction under Maestro Sergiu Celibidache. An expert in ancient music and early instruments,particulary the vihuela-lute-hurdy gurdy, and viola da gamba. Founded ATRIVM MVSICAE de Madrid in 1964. In his private workshop,has reproduced musical instruments based on musicological researches into manuscripts-reliefs-sculptures-pottery and vase paitings from classical Greek to the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance & Barroco periods of Spain and Europe. Painting expositions in Madrid-Moxacar-Almeria-Valladolid-S.Lorenzo de El Escorial-Including a private exhibition at the Juana Mordó Art Gallery. As Director of ATRIVM MVSICAE, has performed in Europe-América-Asia and Australia. Frecuent Collaborator in ancient music courses in Spanish and international universities and guest soloist performer in auditoriums, temples, cathedrals, theatres and museums. His recordings have rated excellent reviews and achieved various awards, notably the Gold Record Award presented at the Japan International Art Festival,Tokyo 1971 for "Cantigas de Santa María- Alfonso X El Sabio". Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 443

"Welcome to the website of the French Lute Society (S.F.L.), a community of lutenists, music lovers, luthiers, professors, amateurs, professionals ... In a word, people crazy enough to be interested in an instrument which is 4 or 5 centuries old, but whose rich repertoire and entrancing sound continue to charm hundreds, even thousands of people throughout France, Europe and the world! "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 11, 2008 | Hits: 484

"Bill Taylor is a specialist in the performance of ancient harp music from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and is one of very few players investigating these repertoires on medieval gut-strung harps, wire-strung clarsachs and harps with buzzing bray pins.

He is the foremost interpreter of the Robert ap Huw manuscript, containing the earliest harp music from anywhere in Europe, employing the fingernail technique specified in the manuscript, whilst reading from a facsimile of the tablature and using modern copies of historical harps. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 358