EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Centered on brothers Aaron, Pablo and Daniel Zapico, the ensemble Forma Antiqva is a point of reference within the field of early music in Spain. With the collaboration (depending on the programme) of young, prestigious soloists, the ensemble is regularly invited to the most important festivals, where the public and expert critics alike unanimously applaud their daring, virtuoso and lucid performances. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 291

"The “Armoniosi Concerti” ensemble takes its name from the guitar book “Armoniosi concerti sopra la guitarra spagnuola” by Domenico Pellegrini, published in Bolonia in 1650. It emerges as a result of the same titled recording of its director, Juan Carlos Rivera, featuring Italian music from the 17th century for guitar and theorbo, in which he gets accompanied by another theorbo and another guitar in several pieces. The record obtained, among other distinctions, the *****Goldberg. The group is receiving a very good response from the public, for the lively and entertaining way that their programmes are put together. ...

Depending on the concert programme, Armoniosi Concerti presents different formations from the basic trio, wich is often added to by the involvement of singers: María Espada, Lluis Vilamajó, Carlos Mena, Raquel Andueza, Olga Pitarch, or instrumentalists: Francisco Rubio (cornetto), Fahmi Alqai, Sara Ruiz and Itziar Atutxa (viola da gamba), José Manuel Vaquero (hurdy-gurdy), and Bárbara Sela (dulcian). ..." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 366

The Huelgas Ensemble is a vocal and instrumental groupe specializing in medieval and renaissance music. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 623

"Capella Leopoldina was founded in 1992 by Jörg Zwicker.

Following the musical tradition at the Viennese court during the reign of Leopold I. the ensemble includes a variety of musicians from Austria and the most important European music metropolises.

The work focuses on oratorio and orchestra literature of the 17th and 18th century. Furthermore, programs with chamber music instrumentation are part of their repertoire. Capella Leopoldina also plays in simple continuo instrumentation combined with one or several singers.

In January of 2000 Capella Leopoldina took over the instrumental part of the project BACH XXI. In co-operation with the Grazer Dommusik all cantatas by J. S. Bach will be brought to the stage. The timeline for this project is 18 years and it thus represents one of the major projects of Austrian music history. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 585

"If we consider that the revival of early music is a type of repossession and liberation, then the Capella de Ministrers ensemble has enlarged the boundaries of freedom by providing a comprehensive approach to several medieval, Renaissance and baroque works. The lyrics of these compositions offer a limited view of this literature, which can only be completed by listening to its musical accompaniment. Thus, this music becomes a bridge allowing present-day men and women to escape from the 21st century and join those who listened to and lived this music a few centuries ago.

Ever since its foundation in 1987, the Capella de Ministrers ensemble, directed by Carles Magraner, has developed an important investigative and musicological task in favor of the musical Spanish patrimony, from the medieval times up to the 19th century. The result transformed into musical testimony, brings together the perfection of three key factors: the historical rigor, the musical and, sensibility specially, an uncontrollable desire to communicate and they make us participants of these experiences. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 13, 2008 | Hits: 383

Founded by Benjamin Perrot and Florence Bolton, La Rêveuse is a French early music ensemble specializing in XVIIth century music. Visit website for more information.

Added on: Jul 13, 2008 | Hits: 482

"Founded in 1981 in Geneva by Chiara Banchini, and established in Franche Comté, France, since 2001, Ensemble 415 is named after one of the pitches at which baroque music is played. Among the first generation of enthusiastic pioneers were François Fernandez, Enrico Gatti, Emilio Moreno and Fabio Biondi. Twenty years later, Ensemble 415 pursues its career with young violinists gathered in a partnership of soloists. David Plantier, Stéphanie Pfister, Eva Borhi and Leila Schayegh perpetuate the initial enthusiasm of Ensemble 415.

Internationally renowned Ensemble 415 has been invited to the greatest festivals and concert venues. Not only are its concerts and recordings acclaimed by critics and public alike, they also set durable impulses to the development of the perception and the interpretation of musical works from the 17th and 18th century as well as to the broadening of the repertoire proposed to music lovers. ..." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 13, 2008 | Hits: 419

"Le Poème Harmonique, a group of soloists who came together in 1998 under the direction of Vincent Dumestre, centres its artistic activity on music of the seventeenth and the early eighteenth century.

The group's vocal and instrumental interpretations are enriched by other disciplines, with actors and dancers joining its singers and musicians in programmes of chamber works – Le Ballet des Fées, Il Fasolo – and, since 2004, in large-scale stage productions, such as Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, a comédie-ballet by Molière and Lully (stage director Benjamin Lazar) and Baroque Carnival (directed by Cécile Roussat), an original show combining Italian music with the circus arts (artists trained at the Centre National des Arts du Cirque). For operatic performances as Cadmus et Hermione by Lully (stage director Benjamin Lazar), Le Poème Harmonique studies in depth the correspondences between ‘period’ aesthetics – use of candles for lighting, authentic gestures and, for Cadmus, painted canvases and machinery – and the aesthetics of modern stage productions. Interaction between artistic disciplines and real teamwork – working together as a company – are Le Poème Harmonique’s hallmark in Baroque performance today. ..."

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Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 403

"Ausonia is an ensemble of instrumentalists and singers, founded and directed by Frédérick Haas and Mira Glodeanu, committed to bringing to life the music of the 17th and 18th centuries by means of dedicated application of historical performance practices and a continuous searching for the expressive possibilities inherent in this music. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 531

"The Croatian Baroque Ensemble is the most prominent Croatian ensemble specialized for historically authentic interpretations of instrumental and vocal and instrumental music from the baroque and similar periods, performed on original instruments and their quality replicas.

The ensemble was founded in 1999 and consists of esteemed musicians from the younger generation - both instrumentalists and vocalists, who are already renowned in performing baroque music.

Along with a continuous concert series consisting of seven concerts at the Croatian Music Institute with clear thematic programs that include Croatian and foreign baroque music, they are regular guests at numerous national and international festivals (Varaždin Baroque Evenings, Zagreb Baroque Festival, Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Split Summer Festival, St. Donat’s Festival in Zadar, Histria Festival, Croatian Passionic Heritage, Organum Histriae, Concerts at the Eufrazijana, Rovinj Summer Festival, Brod Summer Festival, Osijek Summer Festival, Summer Festival on Pag, Festival Brežice, Festival of Croatian Music in Vienna, Festival of Central European Countries in Rome, Festival Tesori musicali Toscani in Pisa, etc.) ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 395

"Since it was founded in 1997, the Prague ensemble Collegium Marianum has focused on   revitalising the music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. One of the few professional companies specialising in this field in the Czech Republic, it not only gives concerts of works in particular by composers who were born or active in central Europe, but also regularly performs unique musical drama and dance productions. Several modern day world premieres are presented each year. The ensemble has collaborated with renowned European directors, choreographers, conductors and soloists such as: Andrew Parrott, Simon Standage, Chiara Banchini, Benjamin Lazar, Sergio Azzolini, Peter Kooij, Peter van Heyghen or Sigrid T´Hooft.

Since 1999 the company has been under the artistic leadership of flautist Jana Semerádová, whose active research together with her study of baroque gesture, declamation and dance, has enabled her to gradually broaden the profile of the Collegium Marianum ensemble and present operas and intermezzos in the authentic surroundings of Czech baroque theatres.... "

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Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 303

"The ensemble «Soloists of Catherine the Great» (Saint-Petersburg) is a unique project of the Foundation for the Revival of Early Music, which aims to discover and return into the contemporary cultural context the rich heritage of 18th century music in Russia. The ensemble has been specifically formed for the performance of chamber music (duos, trios, quartets and quintets) and presents the core of the Catherine the Great Orchestra – Russia’s first professional baroque orchestra founded in 2001. In collaboration with a number of leading experts and musicologists, the ensemble musicians have undertaken research in the Russian archives in order to bring to light and present to the public the previously forgotten masterpieces by the Russian Court composers like Khandoshkin, Jarnovich, Tietz, Facius and others. The ensemble’s other major point of interest is music which was played at the Russian noble estates in the 18th and early 19th centuries and which still retains the unique atmosphere of this by-gone world. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 238

"The Balthazar Ensemble wind quintet was established in 1999; it performs classical and early romantic wind music on the instruments for which the music was originally composed. All the members specialize in early music performance, and play on historical instruments or modern copies.

The ensemble has performed in venues ranging from the Noorderkerk church in Amsterdam to Dussum Castle, and inaugurated the Mengalzaal at the Ghent Conservatorium.

Individually Balthazar's members perform (in some cases on instruments they have built themselves) with the world's leading orchestras, early and otherwise, and ensembles — Freiburger Barockorchester, The Academy of Ancient Music, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, Musica ad Rhenum, Les Talens Lyriques, Radio Symfonie Orkest, Nachtmusique, Zefiro, Concerto K�ln, La Grande Ecurie and Europa Galante.

Balthazar Ensemble offers you a fresh and sparkling interpretation of the works of well known composers — Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Rossini, without neglecting the output of their less well known contemporaries, Danzi, Mengal, Reicha and Gebauer, which deserve once more to be placed in the spotlight.

The unique sounds of historical instruments, the combination of transparent timbres and clarity of articulation results in uplifting and vital performances of this fascinating repertoire. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 332

"The activities of the ensemble, which are conducted by the artistic direction of Carlo Ipata, till their beginning in 1997 are characterized by the research on the Tuscan index of the Renaissance and the Baroque Age. Thanks to numerous first modern performances, the productions that have been realized until now have allowed the reconstruction of some important pages of Tuscan musical history, showing the relationships that have been hold between the local and the European composers. ...

The members of AuserMusici, which have a great training and experience in early music, and which come from different Italian towns, meet regularly. They arrange precisely the musical programmes with some musicologists. ...

The productions of AuserMusici are the result of a complex research that addresses a large public by involving musicologists and musicians in the analysis and comparison of original texts. The productions consist of recordings, seminars, lectures/concerts and editions (on paper and online). ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 417

“The vocal ensemble TriacaMusicale was first formed in 1995 and its activity has since mainly revolved around giving concerts and carrying out research into old music and in particular unknown repertoires and authors from the European Baroque and Renaissance musical periods.

Research and study into the original theories of the chosen historical period, of manuscripts and original prints, is carried out by the members of the Ensemble, exploiting their various levels of musical experience and competence.“

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Added on: Jul 07, 2008 | Hits: 394

"Italian ensemble with variable musicians (from triosonata to chamber orchestra), Festa Rustica is active in the ancient music field since ten years. Its first worldwide recording of the Francesco Mancini recorder concerts was for the Musicaimmagine(MR 1004) music company. The record obtained several positive feedbacks from national and international critics and according to the American magazine “Fanfare” is one of the world’s best classical music recordings produced in 1995 (“the want list 1995”). In addition to the numerous concerts performed in Italy (Settembre Musica, Oratorio del Gonfalone, A. D. M. Di Novara ecc...) and abroad (France, Spain, Albania) Festa Rustica has produced several recordings for Milan’s Agorà and ASV music companies. The founder and director of the ensemble is a recorder and cello player, Giorgio Matteoli, music expert and teacher at the Aquila conservatoire. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 05, 2008 | Hits: 371

"The Trompettes des Plaisirs ensemble has a staff of natural trumpets (in number varying from three to five), baroque timpani and organ in addition, the voices and other instruments, as the songs scheduled to reach a staff orchestra. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 01, 2008 | Hits: 265

"Les Nations, founded by Maria Luisa Baldassari, is a musical group composed by musicians trained in historical performance of baroque and renaissance music, with an improved experience both in practical music, research fields and teaching in conservatories, musical schools, stages and masterclasses. Les Nations has played in many Italian and European festivals. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 01, 2008 | Hits: 286

"The Cultural Association of "Orchestra Barocca La Confraternita de' Musici" is not for profit and aims to promote the musical culture through diversified solutions such as research, concerts, conferences, meetings, records, courses and competitions.

Founded by Cosimo Prontera, the Ensemble makes its debut at the “Leonardo Leo” Barocco Festival 1997. The ensemble plays on period instruments esploring the important and unknown repertoire of apulian composers acttive in Naples during the XVII and XVIII century. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 01, 2008 | Hits: 295

"Il Circolo delle Quinte Vuote”is a vocal and instrumental group which was formed in 1992 by musicians who share the same interest for ancient music.

Italian Renaissance and Baroque music, played with copies of original instruments, and according to a filologic lecture, is the main activity of the ensemble

The group gives several concerts every year, in Italy as well as abroad, always meeting the extreme favour of all kind of spectators.

“Il Circolo” took part in theatrical performances, as well as in international festivals such as the International Music Campus in Latina; the Festival Latina Musica Oggi; the second edition of the International Festival of Ancient Music in Avellino; the International Ferrara Buskers’ Festival; in Germany, Dachau and Munchen; in Prague, in the beautiful baroque frame of Nostilz Palace, at the presence of some members of both the italian and the czech Embassies, and of the Italian Culture Institute; in the International Ancient Music Festival in Var in France, etc. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 288

"Gruppo Seicento early music ensemble was established in 2002 by the effort of musicians dedicated for a long time to the early music in the will to face the baroque repertoire, with a special interest in Seventeen century Italian music, using original instruments or copies, studying the original sources of this period and performing on historical tunings.

The Gruppo Seicento has played in several early music concert seasons and festivals in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and South America obtaining unanimous approval from the public and the critic. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 758

"Formed in 1993 by Neapolitan musicians dedicated to research in the field of early music, "LeMusiche da Camera" from the outset has directed its activities towards the rediscovery of songs unpublished or little known Neapolitan composers of the XVII and XVIII, with executions based on the recovery of executive baroque practice. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 379

"The Dittamondo Ensemble was born of the meeting of some Venetian Musicians interested in ancient music for brass.

The group’s purpose is to spread the music literature of the late Renaissance and of the Baroque when the trumpets, the kettledrums, the organs were the protagonists of a seldom performed nonetheless very interesting and sonorously attractive repertory. Aiming to recreate the ancient trumpets and kettledrums guilds’ atmosphere the group performs with a number of 4-8 trumpets, kettledrums and organ or with the strings or with voices. The performances respects the traditional music practice of the period; they are introduced by an interesting historical and technical background when necessary.

The instruments played by the musicians are copies which faithfully reproduce the originals.

All the group’s members are professional musicians and they won national and international competitions and they deal with different music branches: their artistic work ranges along lasting or unsettled collaborations with famous orchestras (Arena di Verona, La Fenice di Venezia, Orchestra Haydn di Trento e Bolzano, I Virtuosi Italiani, Orchestra del Teatro Olimpico di Vicenza, Orchestra Filarmonia di Udine), solo performances, chamber concerts and teaching experiences in Academies of music and music institutes.

The Ensemble was requested by famous ancient music festivals, in Italy (Musica Antica a Magnano, Festival Lodoviciano, TrentoMusicAntica, Soli Deo Gloria, Festival SeicentoNovecento, Echi Lontani, Karalis Antiqua Musica, Festival della Basilica dei Frari di Venezia), Switzerland and Germany. The ensemble recorded the Compact Disc Alio Modo edited by Velut Luna; the CD collects the most expressive - in ensemble’s opinion - natural trumpet passages written between the XVII and the XVIII centuries and the national and international specialised printing appreciated it a lot. Moreover, the ensemble is going to record a DVD for a japanese label. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 339

" The group was initially formed to support organisations working towards the protection of the national artistic patrimony of Piemonte and other regions of Italy. The profits made out of the concerts are used towards the restauration of Churches, paintings and frescos.

The 'Archilegio Ensemble' gathers musicians of different musical background and origin and aims to promote and reveal some of the less knowen Baroque repertoire.

The common passion for the music combined with a strong sense of harmony within the group have allowed the Ensemble to achieve considerable musical results, therefore obtaining positive feedback from critics and audiences. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 330

"The performers of the Ensemble "Dolci Accenti" come from a various artistic and cultural experiences. They met duringt their studies at the Conservatory of Vicenza where they specialised in the axecution of the musical repertoire of XVII and the first years of the XVIII centuries. Deepening their studies and their researches about that age's music in original sources ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 312