EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Inspired by the 'Paris' Quartets of G.Ph. Telemann, the ensemble Le Mercure was formed in the Netherlands and concertizes throughout Europe. With an international core of members and a wide palette of instrumental colors, we are able to concentrate on music written in a true quartet style as well as trio sonatas for two upper voices and continuo. The quartet, however, is our starting point and remains as our main focus in concerts. The name Le Mercure was taken from various periodicals that existed in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, in which one often finds reports of important musical performances of the time. It also refers to Mercury, the messenger of the gods in Roman mythology. We feel ourselves as messengers who wish to transmit the richness and beauty of early music to our audience. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 536

"This idea, that ruled the aesthetics and the concept of baroque music especially in Germany inspired Jörn Boysen, harpsichordist and conductor to found the ensemble Musica Poetica in 1999.

The group is made up of young musicians from all over the world who specialise in early music, having done their studies in the conservatories of the Netherlands. They share an interest in performing music from the 17th and 18th centuries with an historically informed perspective, using instruments from that period and historical sources. The size of the group depends on the chosen programme. Musica Poetica performs as a chamber group as well as an orchestra including choir.

Their performance schedule has included concerts in Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and live radio broadcasts. Musica Poetica performs regularly in festivals and concerts around Europe such as the Schleswig-Holstein Musikfestival, Festival Mitte Europa and the Holland Festival Oude Muziek. The ensemble opened the „Van Wassenaer Festival 2004“ in The Hague with two very successful concerts, and has taken part in the successful series „Oude Muziek - Nieuwe Generatie“ in the Prinsenhof Museum in Delft.

In March 2007, Musica Poetica collaborated with the choir „ars nova“ in Salamanca for performances of the St. John Passion, and in May 2007 performed in the International Buxtehude Festival in Lübeck. This year Musica Poetica is focusing on music by Buxtehude and his contemporaries. A recording with works by Flor, Buxtehude and their contemporaries is planned for the end of 2008. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 357

"Formed in 1993 by Neapolitan musicians dedicated to research in the field of early music, "Le Musiche Chamber" from the outset has directed its activities towards the rediscovery of songs unpublished or little known Neapolitan composers of the XVII and XVIII. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 384

"The Accademia Strumentale Italiana was born in Verona in 1981 with the intent to recreate the atmosphere of ancient and illustrious academies. The repertoire is the vocal and instrumental music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. " (transl. (ed.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 398

"Musica Donum Dei is based in Nottinghamshire, but performs throughout the Midlands and over an increasingly wide area beyond.

We perform music from Monteverdi to Mozart, and are known for our unusual and accessible programmes. We often use readings, dramatisations and visual images alongside the music to evoke the spirit of the age in lively and imaginative ways.

Members of the ensemble are involved in historical research to revive neglected works, and we are also active in commissioning new ones; we held our first composers' competition in Spring 2006. As well as chamber groups of five to eight players, we can also provide a full-sized baroque or classical orchestra for choral works such as the Monteverdi Vespers, Bach St Matthew Passion or Mozart Requiem.

The ensemble varies in size according to the programme:
* A chamber ensemble of five or six performers
* A trio (flute/recorder or violin, cello or viola da gamba and harpsichord)
* A chamber orchestra with a chamber choir of hand-picked singers for mixed choral and orchestral programmes
* A full-sized baroque or classical orchestra to join your choir in works such as Messiah, or Bach's Mass in B Minor (for more details on MDD's work with choirs "


Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 452

"The Modena Consort is one of the first ensembles to perform Renaissance polyphony on the transverse flutes of the time.

The group was found in 1998 in The Hague, and consists of a singer, a four-part flute consort and a pair of lutes. The group’s repertoire explores different aspects of renaissance polyphony; from the meditative and intricate polyphony of the late fifteenth century of Josquin de Prez’s generation, through the jubilant and mischievous world of Italian Frottole and dance music. The consort has performed in various venues and festivals in Holland, Belgium, France and Switzerland, and was invited to perform in international meetings dedicated to the renaissance flute.

The group's first CD with the German Cornetto label, dedicated to music at the court of Maguerite of Austria, has appeared in August 2007. The instruments used by the consort were made by consort member Boaz Berney after originals in the Museé Instrumentale in Brussels. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 329

"…was founded in the year 2001, with the aim of exploring the early musical and poetical repertoire of Italian Duecento, adventuring in a mainly unexplored field of interaction between poetry and its musical attire. The historical field of research soon expanded to include a wider spectrum of repertoire, including the whole of the late Middle Ages. The musicians come from different fields, but have in common a specialization on the field of medieval music – careful academic research about the repertoire as well as the instruments and the performance practice give a stable theoretical background to the lively concerts." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 345

"Through their work together and with impulses from Evelyn Tubb, Anthony Rooley, Andreas Scholl, Andrea Marcon and Christina Pluhar they have successfully created a baroque ensemble which critics have described as “moving and enchanting”. Its quality was recognized by the jury of the ‘Early Music Network International Young Artists’ Competition” in York, England, who awarded the young ensemble first prize in 2003.

In the following year savādi… achieved further successes in the Van Wassenaer Concours 2004, obtaining first prizes from both the jury and the audience. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 410

"Les Musiciens de l´îlot Royal was established 1997 in Stockholm, Sweden by harpsichordist and composer Miguel Robaina.

The ensemble are mainly into music from the baroque era. Their repetoir primary consists of french music in the spirit of Lully and music from the Swedish great powerperiod. Les Musiciens are also frequently performing music from the Scharffeneck collection of contemporary early music.

The ensemble are playing on historical original instruments or replicas of such. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 691

"BaroqueCompagniet is a newly formed ensemble with a focus on music from 1600 - and 1700's.

"BaroqueCompagniet Ensemble offers their services in various venues such as private celebrations, conferences, banquets, theme-kickoffs, restaurant-entertainment to more ceremonial occasions such as weddings, baptisms and the like.

The ensemble makes use of historic instruments and, if so desired, including period clothing. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 333

"The Early Music Company was founded in 1990 by Mamiko Hirai and Kenji Sano in Osaka, Japan, as a basic nucleus of voice and lute around which are built various combinations of voices and instruments for concerts centering mainly on the Renaissance and Baroque periods. They play European music from the14th to 19th century, give regular concerts in Japan, and record regularly for Aeolian records. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 321

"The Practitioners of Musick ensemble, founded by John Burkhalter and the late Professor Eugene Roan (1931 - 2006) to survey the musical riches of 18th century Great Britain - Ireland & both the Colonial and early Federal periods in America. Recent research, has also focused attention on musical life in New-France before the Fall of Quebec in 1759.

The group has presented period entertainments of music at many of the 18th century sites that are administered by the New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry and the National Park Service, as well as Old New Castle, Delaware, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts, and a great number of other historical sites. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 339

" Le Triomphe de l'amour is a chamber music ensemble performing Baroque music on original instruments.

Our concerts are more than just music: each is an exploration of music and cultural history, and a window into life in the 18th century. Illustrated pre-concert talks, focused program themes, and insightful program notes help to lead the audience to a deeper appreciation of the music.

Based in Princeton, NJ, Le Triomphe de l'amour presents an annual series of concerts performed in intimate surroundings by members of the ensemble and guest artists. Le Triomphe de l’amour is known for imaginative programming of both familiar and seldom-heard works of the 17th and 18th centuries. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 608

"Anima Mundi Consort, formed in 2003, groups various performers with extensive experience in the field of Period Music. The ensemble performs using solely original instruments from the chosen period and collaborates with renowned experts in the fields of research and interpretation of Ancient Music and also in the reconstruction of period instruments. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 328

"Antica Consonanza is an ensemble formed in 1987 by musicians with decades of experience in the field of Renaissance and Baroque music, focusing on musical production of the Middle Ages.

The instruments were largely designed and reconstructed in collaboration with the maker Pasquale Scala (Praiano, SA) on the basis of iconographic sources. In some cases are used medieval instruments still in use in the Mediterranean music. ... " (translated ed.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 325

"Antikantus, ... the project is to build a repertoire of music medieval Sicilian or having reference to Sicily or the Mediterranean world, investigating the musical traditions of Spain, Provence, North Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East. ... " (Google translation) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 334

"Aquila Altera is a vocal and instrumental group that specialises in performing pan-European medieval music. Building on the extensive experience and backgrounds of the performers, Aquila Altera aims to spread and promote the knowledge and education of ancient middle age music and to conduct musical research leading to historically correct performances. To achieve this, the group uses reproduction instruments of the era exclusively, and can consist of 5 to 12 different performers (musicians & vocalists), depending upon the specific needs of its programmes. Their repertoire is principally based on the performance of medieval and renaissance European music; covering monody, polyphony, sacred, secular and instrumental pieces.

Aquila Altera has taken part in numerous concerts, historical revocations and sound tracks for television. Recent performances include: Settimana Internazionale della Musica Medievale e Rinascimentale di Erice; Il Festival"Alia Musica" – Parma Estri d'Estate" Parma; Concerti per il Giubileo - Rome ; Stagione Concertistica Fondazione G.P. da Palestrina - Palestrina RM; il Canto delle Pietre - Lombardia Europa Musica; VII Festival del Teatro Medievale e Rinascimentale di Anagni; "Musica a Corte" - Reggio Emilia; "Echi e Suoni dalla Pieve" - Forlì; "Dalle Palme a San Luca 2002" - Bologna; ”Los Conciertos del Cervantes” - Istituto Cervantes – Roma.

The group is passionate about medieval music and feel that it is very relevant and appropriate in historic events and revocations, because the music is relocated in the proper space and sound of that era. The group has also taken part in numerous medieval festivals throughout Italy.

Aquila Altera, in collaboration with the Le Cantrici di Euterpe (a vocal musical association), performed in several festivals and shows, both in Italy and abroad. In 2000, they recorded a compilation CD of sacred and secular music, "Tempus Transit". Two years later they undertook the recording of "Menando gli Anni". This collection contains medieval and renaissance music from Abruzzo. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 399

" ... It is to recreate the atmosphere and courteous popular medieval world that the group uses of musical instruments, some faithfully reconstructed on the basis of precise iconographic references, others still in use in the tradition of countries bordering the Mediterranean.

The group has toured in France, Germany, Poland, Holland, Austria, Finland, Hungary, Australia. The ensemble has performed for important associations concert and has participated in major ancient music events both Italian and foreign. ... " (translated (ed.)) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 306

"The ensemble Babel, formed in 2002, was born with a desire to enhance culture and music of the period commonly called Middle Ages. The musicians in the group, all from other ensemble of ancient music and popular (Sagegreen, Pandemonio, Harmonia Mundi Ensemble, Les Nouveaux Trouvères), un'inedita proposed merger between the medieval and Renaissance music and popular European musical tradition. The ensemble has participated in numerous historical commemorations in northern Italy (Novara, Rhone, Cusago, Castelnuovo), several dinners medieval and Renaissance and has played at various concert music old (Varese, Lecco, Milan, Arona). ... " (Google transl.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 393

"Bel Fiore Dança is dedicated to ancient music repertoire and popular music, both instrumental and voice ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 292

"The group "Gaudium et Clamor" was founded in 1996 with the intent to promote the ancient music, dedicating it to the study and again the public to a repertoire that ranges from medieval songs to Renaissance dances. The artist girovago, minstrel, is the figure of medieval times that inspired the character of our group, which seeks to recreate such moments of celebration in both square and on the street among people both medieval dinners and concerts. In respect of philology, we try to interpret the music choices avoiding cold academic operations, not only distant in time, but also by the public. " (Google translation) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 20, 2008 | Hits: 370

El Delphìn, Early Music Ensemble was established in 2004. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 531

"Ensemble Adelchis was founded at the opportunity of Alessandro Manzoni's bicentenarial anniversary. At Sforza Castle, Milano, the Municipality set up the exhibition "Adelchis, dai Longobardi ai Carolingi", under the supervision of Arch. C. Calderini. The Head of the Culture Department of Milano Municipality charged Giovanna Motta with transcribing the lament for the death of the late Longobard Duke of Friuli, composed by Bishop Paolino d'Aquileia in 799, on the basis of the original notation. The resulting lament was recorded and used as background for the exhibitions held in Milano and Pavia. From the very few elements of these performances, say ine voice, one rebeck, one harp, as time went by the Ensemble Adelchis grew to its present formation. Althought relatively recently formed, the Ensemble Adelchis has already successfully performed before competent audiciens, such as Pavia's University, on the occasion of the 9th Anniversary of Lanfranco da Pavia' death; Foundation "G.Cini" in Venice; Medieval Weeks at Brisighella; Associazione Internazionale di studi di Canto Gregoriano in Cremona; Centro Italiano di Studi sull'Alto Medioevo in Spoleto. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 307

"The Ensemble Diapsalmata is made up of professionals medieval music. Text and singing, with the help of reconstructed instruments. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 265

"This international group, specialized in medieval and Renaissance music, was founded in 1991. Besides a busy concert calendar, ensemble members collaborate regularly with important educational and scientific institutions, in particular the Centre de Musique Ancienne de Genève, the CERIMM of Royaumont.

Much of LUCIDARIUM’s research and is dedicated to repertoires considered "minor," that were, in reality, powerful vehicles for spreading and evolving new musical concepts during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This music, meant for daily use and wide distribution, represents a mirror of the taste and mentality of the era, at the same time raising a series of questions about the relationship between written music and oral transmission, and about the continuous exchange of forms and themes between the different levels of medieval and Renaissance society. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 389