EarlyMusicNews.Org

"In January 1981 the Manchester Recorder orchestra was founded by Dennis Bamforth, and this year we are Celebrating 25 years. Rehearsal is normally last saturday in each month (see members information page for details). Players are mainly from the Greater Manchester conurbation but as many as a fifth of the sixty plus players travel long distances to take part. The instrumentation of the group is 2 Sopraninos, 8 Descants, 12 Trebles, 12 Tenors, 12 Basses, 10 Great Basses and 6 Contra Basses. The descants, trebles and tenors are further divided into two sections each; basses are also divided occasionally. Each section has a principal, responsible for any solo work that comes along. Since 1982 the Orchestra has given regular public concerts. In 1986 we gave our first of the annual concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music. There is a policy of playing by invitation at various other venues. These have included concerts in Bradford, Buxton, Coventry, Stretford, Manchester Cathedral, Salvation Army Church at Sale, and for the Heptonstall Festival of Music. The orchestra also gives an annual concert in Stretford in St Matthew's Hall which is our rehearsal venue. Each year a further concert is given for a charitable fund. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 30, 2008 | Hits: 355

" The Society of Recorder Players was inaugurated on 7 October 1937 by Max and Stephanie Champion together with Carl Dolmetsch and Edgar Hunt. It was at first London based although there were groups meeting at all sorts of strange places around the country. After the War the branch system started and first off the ground was Manchester, when on 10 June 1947 Professor Ross Waller and Rev. F. F. Rigby met with about 50 enthusiastic players at Holly Royde College, an outpost of Manchester University Extra-mural Department. Ross Waller was elected President, Mr. Rigby chairman, Richard Hall Musical Director and Miss Edith Middleton was the first secretary. The first playing meeting was held at Holly Royde on 12 Sept.1947 So we are now 50 year's old, rather to our surprise we have to confess! In fact we are indebted to Miss Enid Hunt who mentioned in a recent letter that Bristol branch were celebrating their 50th birthday next February and that we had just beaten them to it. We thought that in default of a formal celebration a brief history of the branch might be of interest to members. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 30, 2008 | Hits: 366

"The Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia (HRS) is one of only four recorder orchestras regularly rehearsing and performing in the UK. It owes it's origins to The Old Town Hall Consort. The addition of basses, great bass and contrabass to this rather large ensemble (it was never a one-to-a-part consort) allowed it to develop into a fully fledged orchestra with instruments ranging from the tiny sopranino to the man-sized contrabass over six-feet tall. In recognition of this changed character, the name Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia was adopted in late 1995 and the HRS Committee established shortly afterwards. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 30, 2008 | Hits: 303

"The Wirral Recorder Orchestra was founded in 1998 by Diane Barton, to encourage recorder players from all over the North West to play in an orchestral setting.

We generally perform two concerts per year in December and May.

The orchestra has nearly fifty members and its instrumentation includes sopranino, descant, treble, tenor, bass, great bass and contra bass recorders. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 30, 2008 | Hits: 370

"We are a non-profit, volunteer ensemble of recorder players that play major works written for all types of ensembles, including pieces that were composed specifically for the recorder orchestra.

Our repertoire includes selections ranging from the Medieval period to the 20th century, including premieres of original works for the recorder orchestra. " Visit website for more information. (ed)

Added on: Apr 02, 2008 | Hits: 303

"The Phoenix Recorder Orchestra was formed at the end of 2003. Our members come from as far afield as Chipping Norton, Abergavenny, Plymouth and Chichester.

We explore the recorder orchestra repertoire, from the 12th century right up to the present day. We use the entire range of recorders, from the tiny 6" garklein to the gigantic 6' contrabass, and this gives a rich and beautiful sound. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 02, 2008 | Hits: 288

"The National Youth Recorder Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in June 2002 with 60 auditioned young players from the British Isles under the batons of Dennis Bamforth, Colin Martin and Colin Touchin. The Society of Recorder Players, at the suggestion of Colin Touchin, launched the Orchestra with the help of a legacy from the late Arthur Ingram, a former Treasurer of the Society. This organisation celebrated its 65th birthday in 2002, and continues to exist to promote the instrument and its repertoire. The National Youth Recorder Orchestras are promoted by the society to demonstrate the highest quality of youth orchestral performance and its equivalence to other national instrumental youth orchestras.

Since 2002 NYRO courses have taken place every year with concerts given in London, Kendal, Street (Somerset) and The Sage, Gateshead with the standard of auditioned players rising, and the repertoire performed including both original compositions and arrangements. During the weeklong intensive course, players have the opportunity to benefit from expert tuition covering all aspects of technique and interpretation during sectional and orchestral rehearsal, from the conductors and music tutors.

With the ensemble standard rising, in 2005 the orchestra expanded into two ensembles: a training orchestra (NYTRO) was established to feed directly into NYRO. In 2006, the orchestra was branded with a new logo as the National Youth Recorder Orchestras, incorporating both the National Youth Recorder Orchestra and the National Youth Training Recorder Orchestra. In 2007, Blockwork was formed: a new one-to-a-part ensemble by invitation only. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 02, 2008 | Hits: 417

"The Peregrine Recorder Orchestra is a friendly family of some 20 recorder players. Meetings are held regularly every 2 weeks on Thursday evenings at Ickwell Village Hall, Bedfordshire, between 8 pm and 10 pm, with a coffee break included.

Most concerts result from invitations by various charitable organisations in the Mid Beds area, but occasionally invitations come from further afield. A recorder orchestra should not be confused with the usual recorder group or ensemble. Contrasting effects can be obtained by the use of different numbers of players on parts. Sometimes a solo player is required on a particular part, sometimes 2 players, and sometimes a number of players all on the same part. This is an added challenge to general ensemble playing. The members of the orchestra come from a wide area including Northampton, St Neots, Biggleswade, Bedford, Letchworth, Ashwell, Oakley and Luton. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 02, 2008 | Hits: 303

"The orchestra (founded in 2002) currently has about 50 members in sections playing sopranino, descant, treble, tenor, bass, great bass and contrabass recorders. New members are welcome. A good standard of playing and sight-reading is necessary, but auditions are not held. If you are in doubt, come and see how you fit in. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 02, 2008 | Hits: 389

"Based in South East England, the Berkshire Recorder Consort (BRC) was formed early in 1979. Our repertoire ranges from Early Music to contemporary composers encompassing a wide range of musical styles.

The members are local amateur musicians who aim to perform to a high standard whilst enjoying a friendly, social group.

Seven different recorders are currently used. The smallest is the tiny Garklein, descending in pitch and growing in size are the Sopranino, Descant, Treble, Tenor, Bass and Great Bass. In addition to recorders, the group features a variety of contemporary and period instruments in their interpretation of early music.

Voice, percussion, traditional folk instruments and improvisation all combine to give the BRC a unique style. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 02, 2008 | Hits: 485

"The history of the trade mark MOLLENHAUER started with a cultural impetus in 1822 given by Johann Andreas Mollenhauer. This impetus will appear in the following history as 'the breath, the soul of the recorder' living and weaving as an 'acting reason, sometimes assembling flexible, sometimes meaty' through all generations up to now. Restating persons of the MOLLENHAUER family in this report first they are representatives for an unknown number of men and women - handcrafters, traders, musicians and music teachers - more or less closely related to the family and inflamed by this impetus and bearing it for almost two hundred years responsibly. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Tags:  Windkanal

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 321

"Piers Adams trained initially as an astrophysicist before turning professionally to the recorder at the age of 21. A series of prizes and awards - including first prize in the inaugural Moeck International Recorder Competition (1985) - led to debuts in the premier London venues, and launched his busy international solo career. He has given recitals in most of the major UK festivals and concert halls (including eight to date in the Wigmore Hall) and in most European countries, as well as visits to USA, Canada, Russia and the Far East. He has been invited to perform concertos with, amongst others, the BBC Symphony and Concert Orchestras, the Philharmonia, the Academy of Ancient Music, the English Sinfonia, the City of London Sinfonia, London Musici and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and has made many CD recordings, reflecting his wide musical tastes. He can frequently be heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, both through his recordings and live concert broadcasts, and has appeared on television in many countries - including BBC's Pebble Mill, Blue Peter and Newsround. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 388

"Kathryn Bennetts and Peter Bowman have performed throughout the UK, in Germany, Norway, Estonia and the United States and have broadcast for TVS, Classic FM, BBC Radio 3, Lyric FM Dublin, Radio Netherlands and Deutschland Radio.

In 1998 "The Quarter Tone Recorder Manual" (Edition Moeck No. 2084) was published. The Quarter Tone Recorder Manual is an introduction to quarter-tonality on the recorder through a series of graded studies and compositions written by Bennetts and Bowman in collaboration with composer Donald Bousted.

Their CD recording of Bousted's A Journey Among Travellers and their most recent CD, Flights of Fancy, have received wide critical acclaim." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 11, 2008 | Hits: 424

"Dorothee Oberlinger is one of the most amazing discoveries of recent years, an expressive virtuoso who - quite rightly - received numerous awards while still quite young. Today she is seen as one of the best recorder-players in the world. Her concerts have been received with enthusiasm by critics and audiences alike, earning her unanimous acclaim. Her CDs are regularly fêted as the best new issues on the market.

Dorothee Oberlinger has given solo recitals at festivals all over Europe, in America and Japan, for example at the Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele, the Musikfestspiele Potsdam, the Settimane Musicale Stresa, the Nederlandse Oude-Musik-Network, the Festival de Musica Antigua Sajazarra, the Warsaw Beethoven Festival, the Europäische Musikfestwoche Passau, the Rheingau-Musikfestival, the Tage der Alten Musik Regensburg and the MDR-Musiksommer. Other venues in which she has played include the Wigmore Hall in London, the National Philharmonie in Warsaw, the Marianischer Saal in Lucerne, the Rosée Theater in Fuji and the Philharmonie in Cologne.

She has been the guest soloist with leading international Baroque ensembles such as London Baroque and Musica Antiqua Köln directed by Reinhard Goebel, and she also plays regularly with modern symphony orchestras such as the WDR-Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester and the Detmolder Kammerorchester. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 501

"ERTA ITALIA is an association of recorder teachers of all levels, open to students of all ages and abilities, to manufacturers of instruments, composers and performers and anyone who supports the purposes and intent of the association. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 386

"Brisk gave its first concert in the Bachzaal in Amsterdam in 1986. The ensemble has been active ever since then, and thus became the quartet of renown which it is now. Over the last twenty years Brisk has been bombarding concert halls with its original, innovatory and quite unusual concert programmes. ...

The quartet also excels in performances of early music, enhanced by a never-ending search for unknown repertoire and arrangements made in agreement with the tradition of their instrument. Many musicians have been working together with Brisk. Among them were Michael Chance, Johannette Zomer, Maarten Koningsberger, the Egidius Kwartet, the Gesualdo Consort, Bernard Winsemius, Leo van Doeselaar, Susanne Braumann, Mike Fentross, and The Locke Consort. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 364

" The Flanders Recorder Quartet wonderful enthusiasm and virtuosity of Bart Spanhove, Tom Beets, Joris van Goethem and Paul van Loey is more than sufficient to convince international audiences of the limitless possibilities and sheer beauty of their instrument. Jubilant critiques following CD releases and live performances attest to the success of their daring and unique programming. The four members of the FRQ are regularly lauded for their crystal clear ensemble playing, their seemingly effortless virtuosity and their expressive interpretation. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 496

"Helen Hooker studied the recorder at Trinity College of Music under Philip Thorby, graduating in 1993 with a first class degree and the Post-Graduate Certificate in performance with distinction. She now combines performing on the recorder with teaching the instrument.

Helen regularly teaches on residential courses for players of all ages, including the Recorder Summer School, of which she is Chairman. Helen has also tutored on the Northern Recorder Course and the Irish Recorder and Viol Course. She directed recorder courses at The Old Rectory, Fittleworth from 1998 until the College closed in 2002 and now directs weekend recorder courses at West Dean College. Helen also tutors on weekend recorder courses at Dillington House in Somerset and Belstead House in Suffolk.

Helen is a visiting conductor and Musical Advisor to the Society of Recorder Players, regularly conducting playing days,pastoral visits and workshops for SRP branches throughout the country. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 341

"The Thames Valley Recorder Orchestra (TVRO) is the UK's newest recorder orchestra. It was set up in March 2007 by Anne Helmore, with Helen Hooker as Musical Director.

TVRO currently has around 20 members but is interested in recruiting more players. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 606

"The society was founded in 1953 as an offshoot of the Adult Education Centre in Auckland, until in the mid 1960's it became an independant entity.Since then the society has matured and now has members of all ages and abilities throughout New Zealand.

OUR AIMS ARE

• To provide opportunities for recorder players to meet for playing

• To encourage recorder consorts

• To provide a library of music

• To improve the standard of recorder playing and encourage the authentic interpretation of recorder music

• To inform people about concerts, music schools and other events of interest

• To keep in contact with recorder players both in New Zealand and overseas "
  
  
  Visit website for more information. (ed.)
  

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 441

"Eileen was born in Bristol, UK, and started playing recorder and cello at the age of seven. Music was always central to everything, even at that age. She was soon principal cellist of local school and youth orchestras, and was fortunate to find the Bristol Youth Recorder Group at an early age. After A levels, she went on to study for a music degree at Cardiff University, where she had cello lessons with George Isaac, an inspiring teacher and wonderful player.

After her first music degree, Eileen studied the recorder and early music practice in the Netherlands from 1976, with Ku Ebbinge, Ricardo Kanji, Frans Bruggen and Wim ten Have. She lived and worked there until 1988, when she moved to Aberystwyth, Wales. There she taught at the University, as well as teaching in local Carmarthenshire schools.

She lived, performed and taught in Wales and then Iceland where she was principal cellist of the North Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, as well as recorder and cello teacher. Whilst in Iceland, she also set up a Baroque ensemble with other local musicians, and gave national workshops on Baroque style.

Currently Eileen lives in Scotland, where she performs with the Baroque group, Banquet of Musick, and the recorder ensemble Flauti Animati Scotica. She also conducts the Scottish Recorder Orchestra.She also conducts the Scottish Recorder Orchestra, as well as many other groups, including a new orchestra, Recorders Incorporated.

Eileen teaches on recorder and viol courses around Europe. These include the Easter Early Music course, the Recorder and Viol course in Ireland, and the Recorder Summer School, of which she is a director. These involve coaching adults, conducting groups, and performing with colleagues. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 386

"Flauti Animati Scotica is a recorder quartet based in South West Scotland. Formed in October 2000, we comprise four dedicated recorder players from varying walks of life who, between us, have amassed a wealth of musical talent and experience. All four of us have given recitals and played at various concert venues throughout the United Kingdom. We have taught and been taught by some of the most respected musicians in the field. Drawn together by our common love of the recorder and the desire to share our music, Flauti Animati Scotica is at the forefront of professional recorder playing in Scotland. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 292

"The North East Recorder Orchestra (NERCO) was formed in January 2004 to enable recorder players in the North East of England to rehearse and perform some of the quite large repertoire that is now available for recorder orchestras. At present it has some 30 members and involves the full range of recorders from sopranino down to contrabass.

Meetings are normally held on the 4th Saturday in each month (no meeting in August) in the Hall of Christchurch, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne (directions), from 10am to 1pm . This is the same venue as used by the Newcastle Society of Recorder Players. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 487

"Since 1964, the Montreal Recorder Society (MRS), a non-profit organization, has been providing amateur musicians of all ages the opportunity to play music together under the leadership of professional musicians. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 660

"Born in 1983 in Rio de Janeiro, Inês d’Avena attended as a four-year-old her first music class with Luiz Carlos Csekö and on the next year began to take recorder lessons regularly with Cláudia Ernst Dias and Tina Pereira, having participated in concerts in Rio and Brasília with the group “Os Flautistas da Pró-Arte”. Also studied piano from 1991 until 1994 with Elza Usurpator Schachter.

With fourteen began to participate in early music festivals both in her native Brazil – Juiz de Fora, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and abroad – the X Boston Early Music Festival & Exhibition and the XIII Baroque Academy of the Amherst Early Music Festival.

In such occasions worked with Gwénaël Bihan, Hans-Joachim Fuss, Cléa Galhano, Geert van Gele, Pierre Hamon, Dan Laurin, Marion Verbruggen, Reine-Marie Verhagen, having chamber music lessons with Francisco Gato, Edmundo Hora and Homero de Magalhães Filho and participating in baroque orchestra projects with Manfred Kraemer and Sigiswald Kuijken.

In 2001, after being accepted in many European conservatories, amongst which the Civica Scuola di Milano, Rotterdams Conservatorium, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague, decided for the latter, having concluded in May 2005 the Bachelor Degree in Music under the orientation of Reine-Marie Verhagen. Also in the same year, finished the teaching diploma (Muziekpedagogiek), with the juri’s compliments on working with young musicians.

In 2003 performed Hans Werner Henze’s Pollicino with the Nationale Reisopera and participated in the Steve Reich Festival performing at the most important music halls in Holland. In 2004 took part of the Fringe program of the Holland Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht and performed also at the Soloists of the Koninklijk Conservatorium Concert at the Chateau de Chimay during the 5th International Baroque Singing Competition in Chimay (Belgium). In 2005 performed as soloist at the opening concert of a series of concerts at the Anton Philipzaal in cooperation with the Koninklijk Conservatorium.

Performed A. Campra’s L’Europe Galante with the 12e Académie Baroque Européenne d'Ambronay, under the direction of William Christie.

Currently working on the Master’s Degree at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, under the orientation of Sébastien Marq. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 477