EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Empire Viols formed in 1994 and has been in residence at Second Presbyterian Church since 1998. The core group of two viols and harpsichord frequently expands to include more viols or other instruments, while maintaining a focus on the rich duo viol repertoire of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The 2008-2009 season features a tour of the southwestern United States. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 06, 2008 | Hits: 413

"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: 412

"Jerry Willard was born in Cleveland, Ohio and began studying the guitar with his father Jeff Willard who was a guitarist. The guitar pedagogue Sophocles Papas recognized his talent and invited Mr. Willard to study with him in Washington, D.C. Subsequently he expanded his knowledge of musical interpretation when he worked with violinist Misha Mishakoff and cellist Warren Downs. Mr. Willard also studied with guitarists Richard Lurie and Alirio Diaz, both of whom influenced his musical and technical approach to the guitar.

Mr. Willard's performances have taken him to Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and he has concertized extensively throughout Europe and The United States. At Mr. Willard's New York debut, Raymond Ericson of the New York Times said, "The recital was exemplary. Mr. Willard took lute in hand for some pieces by Adrian LeRoy and John Dowland and turned that normally pale-sounding predecessor of the guitar into a brilliant and vivid instrument. Back with the guitar, the performer played his own transcriptions of Bach's Lute Suite in E minor and five dances from Britten's Gloriana' plus Henze's attractive `Drei Tentos'. It was again the clarity of Mr. Willard's playing that gave special pleasure."

Well known as an ensemble player, Mr.Willard has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, The New York Opera Company, The New York Consort of Viols, Queens Chamber Band , and the Long Island Baroque Ensemble. Mr. Willard resides in New York City and is on the faculty of the State University of New York at Stony Brook . He has published many transcriptions for guitar including "The Complete Lute Music of J.S. Bach" available through Music Sales Corp. and "Ten Sonatas of D. Scarlatti" available through AIG Publications. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 06, 2008 | Hits: 412

“Lutz Kirchhof devotes himself to the rediscovery of the lute and its music. As international well-known lute soloist he released numerous CD productions as an exclusive artist of SONY MUSIC.

In 1996, Lutz Kirchhof initiated the foundation of the German Association for Lute (DEUTSCHE LAUTENGESELLSCHAFT).“

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Added on: May 20, 2009 | Hits: 410

"I was born in Milan in 1968 and I graduated in guitar with Mauro Storti afterwhich I dedicated myself to the study of practices of Renaissance and Baroque music; ...

In 1996 I graduated with honors in Musicology at the School of Music Palaeography and Philology of Cremona (University of Pavia) with a thesis on theorbo as an instrument used for the realization of basso continuo.

I have attended courses of early music and accompanied singers organized by the School of Music Palaeography and Philology of Cremona ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 04, 2008 | Hits: 407

"Nils Wieboldt, studied at the Musikhochschule Trossingen and at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, where he received his masters for specialising on baroque cello and historical performance practice with Jaap ter Linden.

In 1991 Nils won the first prize and the 'Rovere d'Oro Special Prize' at the Rovere d'Oro competition in Italy. In the nationwide competition "Jugend Musizert" in Germany he won the first prize in 1993. At the early music competition Musica Antiqua Brugge 2000 he won a 2nd price.

For the past years Nils has performed widely as a baroque cellist with various chamber music groups and and orchestras in most of Europe, Japan, the United States, the Middle-East and Russia. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 406

“I have been making instruments for the past fifteen years, at first at instrument making courses in the school holidays in Germany, then working with a harpmaker in Scotland for six months prior to joining the London College of Furniture in 1992.  After a six year training in making baroque instruments, violins and guitars/mandolins I graduated with an honours degree in 1998.  I moved to Ramsgate, Kent in the south east of England in 2002 where I share a workshop with my wife, the hurdy-gurdy maker Claire Dugué.

I mostly make mandolins, irish bouzoukis, mandolas and citterns for a wide range of players in various countries.“

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 405

"Mr. Salvaggio began his studies on pick guitar with Frank Mancuso in the early 60's before starting his formal classical training with Stanley Solow in 1973. He later went on to advanced studies with Dennis Koster and Jerry Willard and worked with violinist Clarence Shaw on the music of J.S. Bach. Mr. Salvaggio has performed recitals for concert associations as a soloist, accompanist and continuo player for over 25 years. He is also the recipient of numerous performance grants for projects in the field of early music. He has played with early music consorts, chamber ensembles and as a member of the Flagstaff Symphony and Glimmerglass Opera Orchestras. Recent endeavors have included recordings for the New York State Historical Association/Farmer's Museum, public and local radio broadcasts and recitals at the 1999 and 2001 Boston Early Music Festivals. In April of 2002 Mr. Salvaggio recorded an hour long program of Renaissance lute music for NPR station WSKG.He has performed for the Long Island Classical Guitar Society,the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society, the Philadelphia Guitar Society, The Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York,The New Jersey Guitar and Mandolin Society, The Listening Room at Dreamcatcher Guitars, Roswell, Georgia, Cafe Lena in Saratoga, New York and the Stamford Performing Arts Center. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 404

“  I studied instrument making for five years at the London Guildhall University (the former London College of Furniture).  During this time I trained firstly to make early plucked instruments (lutes, baroque guitars) then moved on to hurdy-gurdy making in the last three years of my course.  This led to me obtaining a degree in Music Technology in 1999.

After college, I went on to further my knowledge by joining a woodcarving and sculpture class for two years with Mike Leman, and by working in London for leading boxmaker Andrew Crawford.

I set up my own workshop in Ramsgate during the summer of 2001, and have been a full time hurdy-gurdy maker ever since. I share my workshop with my husband the mandolin & bouzouki maker Kai Tönjes.”

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 402

“Thierry MEUNIER and Jean-Marie POIRIER both studied plucked instruments (lute, baroque guitar, vihuela) and early music under Javier HINOJOSA. At the same time, they followed courses with other world famous specialists, Hopkinson SMITH and Paul O'DETTE. Moreover, their research in major libraries allow them to add a good deal of unpublished material to their repertoire. ..“

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Added on: Nov 23, 2009 | Hits: 400

"Eduardo Figueroa - lutenist, born at Santiago (Chile), studies guitar with Oscar Ohlsen at the Music Institute of the "Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile".

Since 1995 dedicates himself to the study of early music (lute and theorbo), assisting to seminars with Hopkinson Smith, Eduardo Egüez, Paul O'Dette, Nigel North and Juan Carlos Rivera, obtaining his luth diploma on 2004 at the Early Music Institute of the "Accademia Internazionale della Musica" (Milan) under the guide of Paul Beier.

For years he has developed a wide concert activity as a soloist and in orchestral ensembles in Italy, Spain, Norway, United Kingdom, France and South America. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 30, 2008 | Hits: 398

“Michael Craddock studied music at the University of North Texas, where he was the first guitarist to complete the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree. He was also a performer in master classes of Oscar Ghiglia and José Tomás. An interest in early music eventually led him to study the lute and related historical plucked instruments with Hopkinson Smith at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. He has performed as a soloist and member of
several ensembles in Europe and the United States. A former faculty member of Texas Christian University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he now lives in Switzerland. His first CD, Tabulatures de Guiterne, was recently released on the Cantus label.“

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Added on: May 18, 2009 | Hits: 398

“Formed by Lynda Sayce, whose research forms the basis for much of its repertory, Chordophony is a new ensemble bringing together four of Britain's finest lutenists, cutting-edge musicological research, and the only full, matched consort of lutes in the world, to create a revolution in renaissance music. We do not rely on the tiny surviving repertory for lute ensemble, but prefer to take it as a precedent for arranging other works and improvising our own material, as our renaissance colleagues did. Chordophony's players are all experienced and accomplished soloists in their own right, bringing virtuosity and risk-taking improvisatory skills to the concert platform. Personnel vary depending on the project, but the core players are Lynda Sayce (treble lute), Eligio Luis Quinteiro (alto lute), Edward Fitzgibbon (tenor lute) and Richard Sweeney (bass lute). Chordophony has already collaborated with some of the finest ensembles, recording with His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts, and the Purcell Quartet, appearing at the prestigious York Early Music Festival, and recording for BBC Radio 3.“

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Added on: Jul 11, 2009 | Hits: 398

“ .. Véronique’s repertoire extends from the 13th to the 18th century.

 As Professor of harp and early music at the Ivry-sur-Seine and Palaiseau Conservatories and the Center of Medieval Music in Paris, Véronique teaches a variety of classes: modern and early harps, Chamber Music and Early Improvisation.

She is also particularly interested in the repertoire, history and organologie of harps and has presented papers on these subjects at conferences.  Most recently she presented her findings on Bray Pins at the Conference on Interdisciplinary Musicology in Paris in October 2009.

Véronique is also very interested in Contrapunto alla werke Polyphonic Improvisation and organizes courses and workshops on this. ..“

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Added on: Mar 19, 2010 | Hits: 398

"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: 396

“ .. In 2009 Andrew  has formed and directs a revolutionary new ensemble: Consort Astræa, whose début project: "Harmonious Revolutions: Galileo & The Music of the Spheres", he created for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, during which it has seen four highly successful performances in such culturally important venues as The State Library of New South Wales (as part of the Sydney Italian Festival), The National Press Club of Australia (for the Inaugural Higher Education Conference for Universities Australia), and Elizabeth Bay House.    A 'live renaissance multimedia happening', it features music from the Galilei family & the Florentine Camerata, scripted tableaux in the form of Socratic dialogue from writings of the Galilei circle, synchronised with projection of spectacular astro-photography by Professor David Malin (discoverer of two galaxies), and was made possible with generous sponsorship from the National Academies Forum and The Royal Society of New South Wales.

 With Sydney-based soprano Anna Fraser & Melbourne-based viola da gamba virtuosa Laura Vaughan, he has also formed a trio: The Muses' Salon, introducing Australian audiences to the most enchanting & intimate chamber music of the Renaissance & Baroque periods on these rare instruments.

Andrew has taught lute performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, tutored at early music workshops around Australia, and in his private Sydney teaching practise .“

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Added on: Apr 23, 2010 | Hits: 395

"London born gambist Claire Bracher, completed her undergraduate studies with Hille Perl in Bremen Germany, and her postgraduate studies with Richard Boothby and Reiko Ichise at the Royal College of Music (RCM), London.

Claire's postgraduate studies were supported by a Douglas & Hilda Simmonds Study Award and a Hester Laverne Award. At the RCM, Claire received the 'McKenna Baroque Prize'.

With her ensemble 'Amaranthos', she reached the final of The York Early Music Young Artists Competition 2007, and with the trio, 'Musici Infaticabili', Claire won first prize at the 2008 Fenton House Chamber Music Competition.

Claire now teaches the RCM viol consorts, and in 2007 organised the first 'International Festival of Viols', held at The Royal College of Music.

Claire has performed with many renowned early music specialists, including; Ton Koopman, Hille Perl, Harry van der Kamp, Harold Vogel and Peter Holtslag. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 22, 2008 | Hits: 392

“Eric Bellocq studied the guitar with Alexandre Lagoya at the Paris Conservatory, where he also graduated with a First Prize. He played the theorbo in the Baroque ensemble Les Arts Florissants, directed by William Christie from 1983 to 1990. He also regularly took part in opera productions and concert performances with La Chapelle Royale, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Les Talens Lyriques, La Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy, Le Concert Spirituel, Akâdemia, Le concert d'Astrée and La Fenice. ..”

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Added on: May 18, 2009 | Hits: 392

“ .. His abiding interest in early music naturally led him to the lute.  His primary area of performance is in the baroque lute, especially very late music in the classical style.  Wilke is also one of the few performers who concentrates on solo music for the theorbo.  His album on Centaur Records of Charles Hurel’s suites for the instrument was the debut recording of this music and remains one of only a handful of solo theorbo recordings available.  Today Wilke is pursuing his doctorate in early music at the Eastman School of Music with Paul O'Dette.

Wilke performs widely, having given solo recitals in Italy and Germany as well as throughout the United States.  He has done live on-air performances and interviews for WGUC, WNKU and WVXU radio stations.  Selections from his Hurel album were featured on NPR's national early music show, Sunday Morning Baroque. Wilke recently performed for the Lute Society of America's "Emerging Artist Series" at the 2009 Boston Early Music Festival.“

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Added on: Mar 19, 2010 | Hits: 391

“

Susan King followed her passion for the music of this unique and lovely instrument from her home in Australia to the other side of the world. Today she lives in Paris, where she’s realising her dream of performing the original manuscripts written for the French Baroque lute at the court of Louis XIV in Versailles.

Whether  through intimate home concerts or private lessons, Susan aspires to introduce people to the quietly uplifting sound of her beautiful lute.“

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Added on: Mar 19, 2010 | Hits: 390

“Born in Prague in 1969, Petr Wagner studied cello at the Prague Conservatoire with Josef Chuchro. This was followed by studies in musicology at Charles University in Prague and at Royal Holloway College at the University of London. There he was introduced to the viola da gamba by Richard Boothby, later continuing his development as a gamba player with Jaap ter Linden at the Akademie für alte Musik Dresden.

After having completed his studies in Dresden, Petr Wagner was invited to study with Wieland Kuijken at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague where he received the prestigious Uitvoerend Musicus solo diploma.

Petr has appeared at numerous European festivals (Festival d’Ile de France, Prague Spring Festival, Sopron Early Music Days, Mitte Europa Festival, Brežice Early Music Festival, Forum Musicum Wrocław), both as a soloist and continuo player, and collaborates with musicians such as Jacques Ogg, Shalev Ad-El, Mitzi Meyerson, Bruce Dickey, Brent Wissick, Miklós Spányi, Péter Szüts, Simon Standage, Ophira Zakai, Magdalena Kožená, Noémi Kiss, and ensembles such as Concerto Palatino, Orfeo Orchestra, Les Inégales Köln, Concerto Armonico Budapest and Oslo Baroque Soloists. ..“

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Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 388

"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: 385

"Marc Lewon specialises in medieval instruments of the lute family and medieval Germanic languages and literature. After gaining a Master's degree in musicology and medieval German from Heidelberg University (Germany), he moved to Basel to further his practical music studies in the Medieval Department of the Schola Cantorum. There he studied lute with Crawford Young, vielle with Randall Cook and singing with Kathleen Dineen. In 2006 he completed his diploma in medieval lute, graduating with honours. In 2007 he will conclude his studies in medieval fiddle and publish a facsimile edition of the fragmentary ”Frankfurt-Neidhart Manuscript” (c1300) containing early minnesang melodies.

He plays regularly with a number of ensembles including Freiburger Spielleyt, Dulce Melos, and Le Basile and is head of the project ensemble ”Leones”. Besides being a busy performer, he gives courses in medieval music and publishes articles and editions on the subject. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 385

"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: 383

"Although in the past, the Society organised courses in making as well as many in playing these instruments, at present the activity of both branches of the Society is fairly dormant due to the apathy of the membership. On the positive side, there are several good gamba makers as well as lute makers. Special mention should be made of Petr Vavrous (gambas) and Jiri Cepelak (lutes) who have both been very supportive to the work of the Society. However we do continue to lend out many instruments both gambas and lutes. The Society also lends out music and CDs. ... "

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Added on: Jul 30, 2008 | Hits: 383