EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Daughters of Elvin were formed in 1996 with the aim of presenting early music in a new and exciting way and of reaching as diverse an audience as possible. Evoking the spirit of Medieval Europe with music, masks, dance and giant stilt puppets, they give powerful displays of colour, movement and sound. Based around carefully researched music, they bring to life images inspired by medieval paintings, carvings and literature and are equally at home at festivals, churches, art centres, street and outdoor events. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 363

"Four Temperaments, previously known as Donum Musicum was established at the Royal Academy of Music in September 2005. The group benefitted from coaching with Historical Perfomance specialists such as Lisa Beznosiuk, Laurence Cummings, Nicolette Moonen and Jenny Ward-Clarke.

The quartet was awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music for 2007/2008. The group will act as an ensemble-in-residence at the Academy, working alongside current students in various areas of performance

In June 2006 Donum Musicum were awarded the prestigious Royal Academy of Music Friends' Early Music Prize. Representing four different nations (Finland, Great Britain, Hungary and Poland), the group derives its name in the neutral language of Latin, from the piece with which they won the RAM Friends prize and which was written specifically for their combination of instruments – The Musical Offering Trio Sonata by J. S. Bach. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 338

"Duo Dorado has been charming audiences since 1999. Hazel and David are two prize-winning early-music specialists who are passionate about the music of the baroque era. Slick, dynamic and accessible, Duo Dorado concerts frequently elicit standing ovations.

Our programmes mix great composers such as Vivaldi, Bach and Handel with other rare treats. Wild, sweet, passionate, flirtatious, our music ranges from the exciting new styles of the early seventeenth century to high-baroque and pre-classical masterpieces. We always talk to the audience and often introduce the music with readings and anecdotes. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 309

"Horses Brawl present an innovative take early music, with roots in renaissance, medieval, baroque and folk traditions they re-work, re-compose and explore unconventional techniques.

A masterclass in turning one instrument into many, Horses Brawl play bowed guitar, double barrelled recorders and crumhorn solos. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 379

"This London-based ensemble have been playing since 1990. Their performances include the opening concert at the Aldeburgh Festival and the closing concert at York Early Music Festival; London's Lufthansa Festival (where they put "brought in one of the largest audiences at the festival"), the Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), St David's Hall (Cardiff), Sana'a & Aden (Yemen), Brezice Early Music Festival (Slovenia), Istanbul, Amsterdam International Festival of Jewish Music, Chinchilla Early Music Festival; tours in Germany, Italy and Holland. Broadcasts include BBC Radio 3, 4, and World Service; German, Dutch and Slovenian radio. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 310

"La Suave Melodia was formed in 1998 to investigate more fully the trio sonatas of Dietrich Buxtehude and the Pieces de Clavecin of Jean-Philippe Rameau. They met with immediate success as prize-winners in the 1998 Van Wassenaer Concour for Early Music and have formed a unity of spirit and style that inspires and exhilarates audiences, bringing passion and a remarkable artistry to its performances.

La Suave Melodia brings together leading specialists in Early Music from the Netherlands; Rachael Beesley baroque violin, Cassandra Luckhardt viola da gamba & baroque cello, Regina Albanez theorbo & baroque guitar and Pieter Dirksen harpsichord & organ. Individually, the international musicians, from four different continents, are active performers and teachers in the early music arena and are dedicated to enriching the cultural and musical scene throughout the world as soloists in their own right. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 445

Early Music consort. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 406

"DIAPENTE is the ancient Greek and medieval name for the interval of a fifth, and originally means 'through five'. The newly founded 5-part viol consort Diapente is a truly international ensemble. The members come from the Netherlands, France, Russia, USA and Gemany and play in various leading European and North American early music ensembles as The Locke Consort, La Grande Écurie, Currende, Musica Eterna, Oberlin Consort of Viols and Tafelmusik. They called Diapente to life in 2001 in order to perform the most beautiful repertoire of the "golden age" of viol consort music. Using all instruments of the viol family in various combinations (here: treble, 2 tenors, bass and violone), Diapente seeks to bring out the charm, richness and beauty of its particular and idiomatic repertoire. The use of a violone - a historical but in our times unique feature in consort music - is already a hallmark of the sound of the ensemble. Diapente played at the 1. Festival de viole de gambe in Asfeld (France), June 2002 and at the Early Music Festival Utrecht (The Netherlands), August 2002. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 394

"The Parley crosses boundaries, from the recording studio, the concert platform, to the classroom or the humble village hall, the activities of members of the group focus on bringing their knowledge of historical style and techniques to the music they love, and enthusiastically communicating it to other players, and the audience.

Few groups harbour as much expertise in their chosen field. Long experience in the scholarship and performance of 17th and 18th century music are brought together in their specialist areas of string and continuo performance practice. The main focus of The Parley's activities has been in the repertoire of the early violin family, and their knowledge of 17th instrumental and vocal repertoire forms a solid background for the study and historical context of later composers such as J.S. Bach and his contemporaries.

Many years of working together have produced a 'house style' that is consistent and well thought-out through a combination of experimentation with historical techniques and experience. This style is as clearly communicated in the workshop situation as it is from the platform. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 337

"Costume Bands presents musicians in period costume for every occasion, from concert performance to weddings, ceilidhs, historical banquets, birthday and anniversary parties, fairs, festivals and much more besides.

Whether you are looking for a solo instrumentalist, a trio or a seven-piece band your needs will be met at this site. The superbly costumed musicians play a wealth of traditional instruments that include lute, cittern, pipe and tabor, harpsichord, serpent, harp, concertina and hurdy-gurdy.

Lively dance tunes, wedding processionals, lusty rounds and tranquil airs... all form part of a repertoire extending from the Mediaeval, Tudor, Stuart and 18th-century eras, to Victorian times.

Musicians represented on this site have provided music for film and TV work, as well as sound tracking for BBC radio productions. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 287

"Wynndebagge is one of England’s best known players of the hurdy gurdy and English bagpipes. Musician, comedian historian and raconteur, he is above all an entertainer. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 400

"The Oxford Waits take their name from a real-life band of city musicians, known as 'waits,' who flourished in Oxford during the 17th century, the tumultuous era of the English Civil War and Restoration. The performers appear in period costume, and concerts are enlivened by street ballads, dance tunes, airs and rounds as well as readings from diarists and poets. Superb singing voices are matched by specialist skills in an array of instruments that include fiddle, bagpipes, lute, cittern, harpsichord, pipe and tabor, hurdy-gurdy, shawm, flute and percussion. A typical concert line-up consists of four or five performers, but the Oxford Waits are also represented by larger and smaller combinations of musicians, as well as by individual artists in solo recitals. The Oxford Waits are available for public concerts - and for private events too, such as banquets, fairs, dances, themed parties, school visits, weddings, corporate entertainments and Civil War re-enactments. " Visit website for more information. (ed)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 401

"Wyldes Noyse is a group of two or three musicians drawn from King's Lynn Waites. Consisting of Chief Waite Chris Gutteridge, wind and string player Elizabeth Gutteridge, and other members of the Waites if required, the group is named after William Wylde, King's Lynn minstrel, and one of the first recorded Waites in the country. The group wears Renaissance dress and performs on a variety of early instruments as well as singing.

Wyldes Noyse is the ideal group for fêtes, garden parties, dinners, weddings, etc. where a smaller group is desired, or in a more intimate setting. The group has an extensive memorised repertoire and can play from a balcony or gallery, or in the corner of a room, or will roam about freely, playing as they go. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 303

"Hautbois are a lively and talented duo that use music as a vehicle for historical entertainment.

They have worked for many years alongside English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces and National Trust and also appear at many other historical venues.

They have made many appearances performing for television, radio, and films, weddings, concerts and schools. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 637

"From lusty dances and drinking songs to the haunted airs of the troubadors, Swyndelstock evokes the turbulent reality of mediaeval life. The band is available both for incidental music and for formal concerts in music and spoken word. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 379

"The Haydn Lute Trio was formed in 2000 and has been delighting audiences since with its widely varied programmes featuring the 18th century lute and theorbo in ensemble. Following the critically acclaimed ‘Lute music for a Princess’ CD (for ASV Gaudeamus) the trio have regularly featured in arts festival, music society and educational programmes contrasting rarely heard early classical Lute trios by Haydn and his contemporaries with the great violin sonatas of Bach, Handel and Corelli, using the theorbo as continuo. The Trio also include French 18th century repertoire in their concerts, with the pièces de théorbe en partition taken from the 1716 publication of Louis 14th’s court theorbist, Robert de Visée. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 269

"Since its formation in 1998, The Parnassian Ensemble has gained a reputation for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming. It regularly appears at prestigious venues throughout the British Isles such as The Purcell Room and St John’s, Smith Square, London; St David’s Hall, Cardiff and The Fairfield Hall, Croydon. The ensemble also performs for festivals, music societies and museums as well as schools and universities.

The group’s 2005/6 concert schedule has included appearances at the Cobbe Collection of historical keyboard instruments, Hatchlands, Surrey; the Newbury Spring Festival; the Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham; the Firth Hall, University of Sheffield and the Totnes Early Music Society, Devon. They have recently accepted their first invitation to perform at St John’s, Smith Square, London. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 358

"Founded by Francis Colpron in 1991, Les Boréades de Montréal focuses on early music. The ensemble has chosen an interpretative approach in keeping with the spirit of the Baroque era, by adhering to the rules of performance practice of the past and playing on period instruments. Critics and audiences alike in Canada and abroad have been unanimous in hailing the group’s energy and spontaneity as well as its theatrical, expressive and elegant playing, indicative of a unique flair for Baroque aesthetics. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 428

"Réjouissance was founded in 1995 by Halifax musicians Karen Langille and Ivor Rothwell, both long time members of Symphony Nova Scotia. The ensemble specializes in the performance of 17th and 18th century music on period instruments, in historically informed style.

The name “Réjouissance,” used by 18th century composers as a title for certain especially delightful pieces, means rejoicing or merrymaking, sensibilities the ensemble strives to instill in their performances. Often, the musicians perform in 18th century costume and by candle light.

Réjouissance draws most of its repertoire from the vast collections of European instrumental music; from early 17th century Italian composers such as Uccellini and Fontana , to great 18th century German masters like Bach, Handel and Telemann. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 352

"Born in France, where he began his musical studies in violin and composition at the Conservatoire National de Region of Rueil Malmaison. From there he went on to specialize in Medieval and Renaissance music, studying medieval fiddle, ancient bagpipes, and voice. After studies with Marco Horvat, Jasmin Martorell and Lucie Jolivet at the Centre de Musique Medievale in Paris, he moved to Switzerland where he currently studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. He collaborates regularly with many musicians in various ensembles including Millenarium (Thierry Gomar and Christophe Deslignes), Leones (Marc Lewon), La Morra (Corina Marti, Michal Gondko), Les Jardins de Courtoisie (Anne Quentin) and Vox Suavis (Dominque Vellard and Ana. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 479

"The members of vox suavis came together, fascinated by the beauty of traditional spanish art and the excellence of its interpretation. They are eager to revive certain aspects of a type of music on the verge of disappearing. the group has taken on the work and the message of personalities such as felipe pedrell, kurt schindler, alan lomax, joaquín díaz and garcía matos, ethnomusicologists and composers. They are known for speaking out for a musical culture based on oral tradition which has an immense richness and artistic force. vox suavis aims to build bridges between medieval and renaissance music and popular music of an oral tradition. One of its assumptions is that studying the interpretation of traditional music facilitates the interpretation of early music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 431

"The baroque ensemble was founded in 1999 in basel, where all the members of the group studied early music at the schola cantorum basiliensis. The repertoire of la cecchina goes from the end of XVI century until the end of XVII century, during this period the poliphony leaves the protagonism to the accompanied modody, and that offers the possibility to create bridges between two different styles that always appeared clearly separated: the renaissance and the baroque. The ensemble tries to express the way the music of this period developed.
since the founding of la cecchina the ensemble has appeared at various festivals in france, spain, italy, belgium and switzerland. in 2005 the swiss radio drs recorded the group's interpretation of francesca caccini's compositions. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 274

"L'Ensemble Gilles Binchois, who will celebrate its 30th year of performance, since its creation in 1979, has explored the large repertoire of the Middle Ages to the vocal repertoire of the Renaissance. ... "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 394

"TREFOIL is a trio of singer-instrumentalists long active in early music, with experience in such ensembles as Concert Royal, Les Arts Florissants, New York's Ensemble for Early Music, Pomerium, Clarion Music society, Piffaro, My Lord Chamberlain's Consort, and other groups. The trio debuted in New York and Philadelphia early in 2000 with a program of 14th-century French ars subtilior song. The Philadelphia Inquirer tagged the performers as "a hearty trio of medieval music specialists" and their work as "an intricate, enigmatic vocal art." TREFOIL has appeared in concerts and master classes at The Cloisters, Temple University, Vassar College, Middlebury College, Franklin and Marshall College, the Vermont Millennium Arts Festival, the Museum Series of Providence, Boston College, the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, the 2002 Amherst Early Music Festival, the New York Early Music Celebration, the Washington D.C. Early Music Festival, and the 37th International Congress on Medieval Studies at the University of Western Michigan at Kalamazoo. The trio has also made joint appearances with Piffaro, the Renaissance Band in Philadelphia, the Folger Concert in Washington, D.C. and The Newberry Consort in Chicago, Illinois. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 327

"Le Petit Ensemble explores the music of the 17th and 18th centuries with its luxurious aesthetics by choosing and intimate contact with the public thanks to its chambre music." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 466