EarlyMusicNews.Org

“Created in 1995 with the help of harpsichordist Isabelle Ramona and her twin sister Catherine Ramona (gambist and cellist), La Ménestrandis is an association of professional musicians who perform already with many great French baroque ensembles.

The focus of the ensemble is to relive the great vocal or instrumental works of  of the XVII and XVIII centuries in their purest traditional form. ..“

Added on: Jul 27, 2009 | Hits: 369

“At the core of the ensemble is the duo of singer Donna Stewart and lutenist Ron Andrico. One of the few professional lutesong duos in the United States, their unique and immediate sound blends respect for authenticity with solid musicianship and a flair for improvisation. Their fresh and engaging approach imparts the immediacy of folk music to renaissance music. ..

Mignarda - Donna Stewart and Ron Andrico - perform historical music that transcends history. Ron Andrico is a lute specialist with publication of several important music editions and scholarly articles to his credit. Mezzo soprano Donna Stewart has a long background in research and interpretation of Gregorian chant and the renaissance choral repertory. Together, the duo specialize in performing music that resides in the grey zone between folk and art music, with interpretations that follow the renaissance ideal of 'moving the passions' of the listener.   ..“

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Added on: Jul 25, 2009 | Hits: 305

“ENSEMBLE TOURBILLON, founded in 1998 by Petr Wagner, brings together outstanding musicians from various parts of Europe who specialize in baroque and early classical performance practice on period instruments and are devoted to chamber music. Through its members the Ensemble Tourbillon combines the very best of European early music schools with outstanding musicianship, which lends the ensemble distinctively virtuosic style and refined sound colours.

Ensemble Tourbillon‘s repertoire spans a period from the seventeenth century up to C. F. Abel, C. Ph. E. Bach, with works of virtually unknown composers to familiar masterpieces of the baroque and early classical periods. Its formation ranging from 4 musicians (2 violins, viola da gamba, theorboe or harpsichord) to large instrumental and vocal forces enables the ensemble to perform major secular and sacred vocal repertoire. ..“

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Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 250

“The Callipygian Players are an ensemble of Chicago's finest period instrument musicians and singers under the leadership of Director and Baroque Violinist Martin Davids.

We present innovative and exciting concerts of music from the Baroque era (approximately 1600-1750). Known for our interesting programming, our concerts feature music of well known composers as well as lesser known masterpieces. ..“

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Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 360

“ArsAntiguaPresents.com, directed by Jerry Fuller, is a series of monthly, free audio web cast programs of music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras performed on period instruments with engaging and enlightening commentary by Peter Van De Graaff. Programs focus on one composition or a few short works.“

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Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 469

“Ensemble Phoebus Amsterdam was founded in 1996 by students of Bob van Asperen, Marten Root and Wouter Möller. The ensemble followed a special old-music course in France, organized by UNESCO and received lessons from Chiara Banchini and Barthold Kuijken. ..“

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Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 332

“Ensemble Ricreation d’Arcadia was formed in 2001 by four young leading Japanese musicians (Ayako Matsunaga and Yukie Yamaguchi, violin, Takashi Kaketa, violoncello and Takashi Watanabe, harpsichord & organ) who regularly play with several baroque ensembles and orchestras in both Europe and Japan such as Bach Collegium Japan, La Venexiana, Il Giardino Armonico and Academia Montis Regalis. The group’s aim is to explore the diverse instrumental music and vocal music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, particularly focusing on the vast repertoire for the “trio sonata”. Since 2003, they have also taken part in the annual performances of the “Handel Festival Japan” in Tokyo as core members of the orchestra, conducted by Takashi Watanabe. Their diverse repertoire ranges from works by Monterverdi and Carlo Farina (Capriccio Stravagante, 1626) to Handel’s operas and even early Mozart's symphonies, joined by fellow musicians who share the same ideal.

In 2004, Ricreation d’Arcadia won the first prize at “Premio Bonporti” (President of Jury: Gustav Leonhardt) in Rovereto, Italy and also received the Audience prize and the ORF recording prize. Since 2005, they have been invited to several early music festivals in Europe, including Accademia Filarmonica (Bologna), Associazione Filarmonica (Rovereto), Amici della Musica, Musica e Poesia a San Maurizio, MITO Festival (Milan), Festival di Brezice (Slovenia), Festival Internationale di Musica Antica (Urbino), Grandezze & Meraviglie (Modena), Trento Musicantica (Trento), Nuove Settimane di Musica Barocca (Brescia). Their concerts have been received with universal acclaim.

In 2006, the ensemble performed with Gunar Letzbor in Mejiro Ba-Rock Music Festival in Tokyo. In 2007, they were invited to music festivals in Austria, including Internationale Barocktage Stift Melk, INNtöne Festival, Schlosskonzerte Eckartsau and Konzertreihe FIORI MUSICALI in St. Florian. In Mejiro Ba-Rock Music Festival 2007, they collaborated with Enrico Gatti and La Venexiana, which was filmed and broadcast by NHK. Some of their live concerts have also been broadcast by RAI and ORF. In May 2008, their recording of chamber works and sacred motets of F.A. Bonporti was released from the ORF label.

Future plans include performances of Biber’s complete Harmonia Artificioso-Ariosa, as well as trio sonatas by Locatelli, Caldara, Corelli, Leclair and C.P.E. Bach.“

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Added on: Jul 05, 2009 | Hits: 348

“Quadriga Consort – the Early Music Band on an expedition to the origins of pop music: early ballads and tunes from the British Isles, ranging from rollicking dance music to the Celtic-Gaelic and the courtly song traditions. The archaic melodies provide the basis for authentic music of today and tomorrow, so typical for Quadriga – with interpretations so fresh, that they make many a pop song of today pale in comparison to the enduringly moving ancient songs of love, yearning, joy and sorrow. ..“

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Added on: Jul 05, 2009 | Hits: 511

“Ensemble Harmonia Musicae, recently formed, brings together musicians sharing a love for early music repoertoire. The group comes in various configurations, depending on the programs, while paying special attention to vocal music / instruments of the period at the turn of the'600 and'700.“ (Google translation)

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Added on: Jul 03, 2009 | Hits: 309

“Florida Pro Musica was founded in 1998 by George F. Gramling, III and Larry Kent. We presented our Inaugural Concert at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida in May of 1999.

Our concerts over the first ten years have included some wonderful highlights, from large-scale works like Mozart's Requiem and Handel's Messiah to intimate offerings such as the complete Masses by William Byrd, baroque trio sonatas, madrigals in costume, and a whole spectrum of choral and instrumental programs. We have performed in Largo, Clearwater, Sun City Center, and Ocala, as well as in St. Petersburg and Tampa. Our main performance home since 2002 is Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa.  “

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Added on: Jun 10, 2009 | Hits: 340

“GALATEA, founded and directed by Paul Beier, has performed in prestigious European festivals, and has recorded several CDs dedicated to Biagio Marini (Emanuela Galli, soprano; Monica Huggett, violin), Barbara Strozzi (Emanuela Galli, soprano), and Giovanni Battista Buonamente (Monica Huggett, violin and Bruce Dickey, cornetto). The repertoire of Galatea is centered on innovative Italian music of the beginning of the Seventeenth Century, experimental and virtuosic, of high artistic level, a bridge between the mature Renaissance and the Baroque period. The group comprises different instruments or voices according to the program, giving particular importance to the lute and other plucked stringed instruments for a rich and varied continuo. The name, recalling the legend of Pygmalion, who through his love transformed the marble statue of Galatea into a living person, symbolizes bringing Renaissance and Baroque music to life according to the spirit and practices of the period.“

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Added on: May 18, 2009 | Hits: 229

RAYUELA was founded in spring 2004 by Claudia Gerauer, Martina Joos and Thomas Engel. The three recorder-players had studied with Kees Boeke and Matthias Weilenmann at the Zurich School of Music, Drama and Dance. As the "Trio O'Henry" they toured many European countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Russia) and north Africa (Morocco), and won several prizes at international competitions (International Recorder Competition in Calw, Germany, Kiwanis Prize for Chamber Music, Switzerland, the Swiss Orpheus Prize, the Migros-Genossenschaft Chamber Music Prize, Switzerland, and the International Chamber Music Competition on Period Instruments "Premio Bonporti" in Rovereto, Italy). ..

In the spring of 2004 the trio's many years of intensive work with other musicians culminated in the formation of the RAYUELA ensemble. Its programmes always include the three recorders, while other instruments are added depending on the particular programme.

RAYUELA made its debut with the programme "Changes" (in the monastery church of St. Gerold, Austria) in May 2004, which was recorded by Austrian radio. It delighted the audience and critics alike . ..“

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Added on: May 18, 2009 | Hits: 320

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 421

“Founded by Antonio Frigé in 1989, as the natural evolution of the Duo Cassone-Frigé, the Ensemble "Pian & Forte" is a group with a variable structure formed by musicians dealing from many years with the study and the development of ancient music. Its aim is the rediscovery and the performance with original instruments of works dating from the early 17th to the late 18th centuries. And such a research, together with the extreme versatility and the fine musicianship of all its components made the Ensemble "Pian & Forte" one of the leading italian groups.

A very big concerts activity has been performed from 1993 for lots of International Festivals (Festival van Vlaanderen - Brugge Tage Alte Musik - Regensburg, Festival "Oude Muziek" - Utrecht, "Autunno Musicale di Como", Serate Musicali - Milano , International Organ Festival" in Aosta,
"Musica e Poesia a San Maurizio" - Milano, MIDEM - Cannes, Teatro Olimpico - Roma, "Pomeriggi Musicali di Milano"). It has moreover appeared in Corsica, France, Holland and Austria.

Up to now the Ens.Pian & Forte has recorded several C.D., issued by Nuova Era Records e Giulia Digital e Agorà with great approvation of the public and of the international critic who has more than once acclaimed them as "CD of the month". The "Pian & Forte" Ensemble plays for Dynamic.“

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 248

“In 1991, the Salzburg musician, Wolfgang Brunner, founded the ensemble Salzburger Hofmusik performing in various settings from trio to full orchestra. The repertoire encompasses works mainly from the 17th to the early 19th century concentrating on the music of the Royal Church Choir under the Salzburg Prince Bishops.

The name Salzburger Hofmusik comes from the 18th century and meant in the vernacular of those times, the Royal Church Choir of the Prince Bishops.
From the time of its founding, Salzburger Hofmusik programs were performed that established Salzburg's integration into the music history of Austrian and European cultural traditions.

Along with this came scholarly work, exploiting sources that until now had gone unnoticed or had been unjustly forgotten. In order to present performances that are as authentic as possible, the ensemble plays mainly (but not exclusively) on historical instruments or on faithful copies of originals. ..“ 

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 471

“Art's Delight is a duo that performs popular music of the 18th century, at historic sites, re-enactments and special events of every kind. It consists of Bobbie Wayne and Dan Mozell who have been performing together for the past 24 years. Their 18th century repertoire combines dance music and airs with revolutionary songs, love ballads, drinking songs and more.“

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Added on: May 16, 2009 | Hits: 267

“Enjoy a night of real historical culture and cuisine with Feast the Ancestors.  

Just sit back and enjoy the good food and entertainment that your forefathers knew.

Entertainment (and Catering) for Medieval Banquets, Saxon and Viking Meadhalls, Tudor Feasts, Napoleonic Parties and Roman Festivities!

Experienced historical performers provide music stories and songs for all manner of historical events at venues all over the country.“

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 319

“Full-on Medieval Music for Street Festivals, Carnivals, History Fairs and other events

We’re serious about medieval music, and we want the power of that music to reach as wide an audience as possible.  To bring you that power at full blast, we have formed Mandrake! featuring twinned bagpipes, hurdy gurdy and twinned percussion.  

It’s an infectious and boisterous mix that is well suited to popular public events.

In fully authentic medieval costume or carnival dress, led by its bagpipe divas, Mandrake! also makes a distinctive eye-catching spectacle.“

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 404

“Historical songs and music of all ears. Anne Marie Summers and Thor Ewing.The name ‘Squeake’s Noyse’ is inspired by the seventeenth-century band ‘Sneake’s Noyse’ that accompanied the first performances of some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.“

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 314

“The duo Misericordia specialises in the Music and Song of Medieval Britain and Europe.

Anne Marie Summers and Stephen Tyler have been playing and recording together as a duo for over a decade, taking some of the earliest scored music and combining it with the improvisational element of folk music for an exciting and dynamic performance. They are accomplished multi-instrumentalists, and their wide range of instruments allows them many different sound textures to match the different musical traditions of medieval Europe.

A performance by Misericordia will take you from the mesmeric drone-based harmonies of their trademark combination of bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy, to the harmonically sparser sound of recorder and citole, as well as to softer timbres such as voice and harp.

Misericordia regularly perform at concert venues and early music festivals throughout Britain and Europe and have made various recordings.  Originally formed as a duo, they now work regularly with other instrumentalists and singers for a larger ensemble; all are professional and extremely versatile musicians specialising in early music.

Workshops are also available in medieval instrumental music, song, and singing for dancing. ”

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 365

“Bergen Barokk was founded in 1994. Their repertoire consists of 17th and 18th Cent. vocal and instrumental music from Italy, France, Germany, England and Scandinavia.  Bergen Barokk is supported by the City of Bergen and the Norwegian Culture Council.”

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Added on: May 09, 2009 | Hits: 343

“Has in recent years become one of the most popular ensembles in the music of the 16th and 17 Century and is now a regular guest of the most important European Festivals of Early Music. ..“

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Added on: May 09, 2009 | Hits: 437

“alla polacca was founded by three music graduates who came together at the Cologne Conservatory. Here they continued to develop their expertise in historic performance-practice, especially in the realm of chamber music and honed their skills under the direction of such distinguished artists as Konrad Junghänel, Barbara Schlick, and Kai Wessel.

The basic group is formed by Iwona Lesniowska-Lubowicz (soprano), Paulina Kilarska (harpsichord, organ) and Stanislaw Gojny (theorbo, lute, baroque guitar) of whom all can draw upon year-long experience in collaborating professionally with leading specialists in the field, in and outside of Germany.“

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Added on: May 09, 2009 | Hits: 235

“Female vocal ensemble, usually five to ten a cappella singers, Discantus brings the vocal repertoire of the Middle Ages(9th century) to the dawn of the Renaissance, especially sacred music. It has emerged internationally as a reference for this kind of repertoire performed by female voices.” (Google transl.)

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Added on: May 07, 2009 | Hits: 339

“Ensemble Mediolanum was founded in 1999 by Sabine Ambos, Felix Koch and Wiebke Weidanz with the aim of conveying the expressive and versatile power of early music.“ (Google transl.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2009 | Hits: 330