EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Ensemble Gombert is Melbourne's outstanding chamber choir, noted for its pure intonation and historic approach to choral sound and style. Named after Nicolas Gombert (c. 1495 - 1560), who has been largely ignored in the twentieth century despite an exemplary reputation amongst his contemporaries, the Ensemble specialises in a cappella performance of Franco-Flemish music of the High Renaissance. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 439

"Created in Paris in 1978, the Ensemble Clément Janequin performs sacred and secular vocal music of the Renaissance, from Josquin to Monteverdi. Their inimitable performances of the French 16th century Chanson have revealed what is now appreciated to be one of the Golden Ages in the history of French music, their recordings for harmonia mundi, Les Cris de Paris, Le Chant des Oyseaulx, Fricassée Parisienne and La Chasse being considered as benchmark interpretations. With tremendous appeal to a broad audience, these works by Janequin, Sermisy, Bertrand, Costeley, Lassus, Le Jeune... abound in the stylistic contrasts so dear to the Renaissance: the touching lyricism of the chanson amoureuse, the earthy humour of the chanson rustique that draws upon popular farce, the sounds of war, nature and street cries - a unique marriage of popular and high Renaissance culture. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 316

"Ensemble Claude-Gervaise is a group of musicians who specialise in the interpretation of early music as well as early music instruments. " (transl. ed.) See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 450

"José Hernández Pastor, altus; Ariel Abramovich, vihuela; Hernán Cuadrado, vihuela de arco.

The artistic project of El Cortesano was born in Basle, Switzerland, in 1998, thanks to the fortunate meeting of two young musicians both passionately dedicated to renaissance music. Although both studied at the Schola Cantorum Basilensis, José Hernández and Ariel Abramovich have different musical backgrounds and life experience, which enables them to put forward both diverse and complementary visions.

Inspired perhaps by their youthful enthusiasm, the duo have rejected rigid and universalist visions of this music. In order to compensate for this departure from conventionalism, they have found it necessary to search for new answers by the in-depth study of a careful selection of the period's incredibly rich poetic and musical output. In this investigation, the members of El Cortesano have turned directly to the original sources, without the mediation of modern editors.

Guided by the conviction that, as Castiglione put it in the work the group takes its name from, declamation can make wonders out of words, the duo embarked upon the adventure of experimenting with ways of bringing the music closer to the text. Thus they began a profound investigation, which throughout the years has been the key to defining a committed and rigorous artistic conception, widely acknowledged today. From this perspective, it is only direct communication with the audience -and the ephemeral spell this creates- that justifies the performance.

In such diverse situations and places as The Semana de la Música Antigua de Estella and the Festival Are More in Vigo among others, performances in renowned concert halls such as the Palau de la Música de Valencia and the Príncipe Felipe in Oviedo, and presentations all over Spain, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Morocco, Ecuador and Argentina, El Cortesano has been able to generate the same phenomenon; that of enabling the audience to participate in a singular artistic experience, inviting them to introspection and the encounter with the sensuality of this type of art.

The group’s recording career began in 2002 with El Parnasso, recorded by the French label Arcana, following an intense period of research into Castillian vihuelist's Estevan Daça's work (Valladolid, 1576), never previously recorded. This record was well received by critics and public, helping strengthen the duo’s identity and giving them the confidence to envisage future projects with enthusiasm. Among these we have, in the 2006 agenda, performances in Canada, the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and the recording of an original and innovative second album. "

See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 324

"Faye Newton and Hazel Brooks met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where they discovered a shared passion for medieval music and poetry. They subsequently worked together in the award-winning ensemble Concanentes and in the year 2000 they formed ‘duo Trobairitz’ to explore the courtly song repertoire of the troubadours and trouvères, which is especially appropriate to their combination of voice and vielle. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 408

"Early music ensemble "Drolls" was established in 1999. The o­nly field of activity of the ensemble is western European music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

OUR CREDO:
The majority of people consider the Middle Ages to be the gloomy time of inquisition fires or the world of fantasy with the traditional set of elfs and dragons.

It is the contribution of courses of history and Hollywood movies. We chose another path.

We don't depict people of the past; it is impossible, because we are surrounded by other religions. We practice the following principle: during the last centuries the mankind has changed, but the Man has remained unchangeable. The Man still loves and has fun as eight centuries ago.

It is possible to feel the still living past by means of music. The music, which has been historical, unfairly forgotten and depreciatingly put off. We strive for proof and prove this principle by every our performance. We are always glad and happy when our creative work awakes response by different audience: from specialists to unsophisticated audience. It serves as the doubtless evidence of the fact that we are o­n the right way. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 336

"For over a decade and a half, Concerto Palatino, under the direction of Bruce Dickey and Charles Toet, has been leading the way in the revival of the cornetto and baroque trombone. Their highly acclaimed concerts and recordings have brought an appreciation of their important but little known music to modern audiences, and stimulated many young players to take up these instruments, practically unknown a generation ago. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 326

"Collegium 419 is a vocal ensemble specializing in music of the 16th to 18th century. It performs in different casts, depending on type of project, from vocal ensemble (5 singers) to a chamber choir (16 - 24 singers). The ensemble features lesser known works of the Renaissance and Baroque polyphony with particular consideration for coherent dramaturgy. Collegium 419 cooperates with leading instrumentalists, who follow historical performance praxis of early music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 408

"The Clemencic Consort is an early-music ensemble comprised of international artists under the direction of René Clemencic. It performs in varying combinations of voices and instruments, depending on the programme.

Singers and instrumentalists from around the world have made it their task to interpret music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period on historical instruments. They set great store on lively authenticity, but at the same time they consciously avoid "the wagging finger". The programmes are structured in such a way that they convey a colourful overall impression of the respective period. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 589

"With a riot of period instruments, lusty voices and all the exuberance of an early street or theatre band, THE CITY WAITES perform popular English songs, ballads and dance music from the Tudor period to the early 19th century. Street cries, theatre songs, bawdy broadside ballads, early Music Hall, Coffee House catches, courtly dances and the foot-stomping rhythms of a village dance band.

Performances in concert halls, festivals, historic houses, corporate functions and cultural events throughout the world; British Council tours to Middle and Far East; universities in USA, major London venues incl Queen Elizabeth Hall; collaborations with Shakespeare’s Globe, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, RSC; Royal National Theatre; TV, radio and film soundtracks. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 350

"Ciaramella brings to life Medieval and early Renaissance music from historical events and manuscripts. Praised for performing intricate fifteenth-century counterpoint "with the ease of jazz musicians improvising on a theme," its members are united by the conviction that every omposition conceals a rich story waiting to be unlocked through historical research and speculative performance.

Founded on a core of winds: shawm, sackbut, recorder, organ, and voice, Ciaramella takes its name from the Italian shawm and from a fifteenth-century song about abeautiful girl whose clothes are full of holes. When she opens her mouth, she knocks men flat. Ciaramella's members met as graduate students at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. They first performed together on Christmas Day 2003, in Spoleto, Italy. There they collaborated with musicologist Gioia Filocamo to perform music from the manuscript Panciatichi 27, much of which had not been heard for centuries. In 2004, the group performed in a staged production of the first Hebrew play, A Comedy of Betrothal by Leone de'Sommi (c.1550) at the Cleveland Museum of Art. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 328

"We are a vocal group devoted to early music with a wide repertoire especially centred in Renaissance polyphony. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 458

" Jeremy Barlow specialises in English popular music and English dance music from 1550-1750, as a performer, writer and lecturer. His group the Broadside Band has performed at major venues and festivals in England, Scotland, France, Austria, Germany and Sweden and has made many recordings for Harmonia Mundi, Hyperion, Saydisc etc. These include the Edison Award winning complete Beggar's Opera featuring Bob Hoskins and Sarah Walker, and best-selling ‘Songs and Dances from Shakespeare'. His book The Enraged Musician: Hogarth’s Musical Imagery (Ashgate, 2005) has received excellent reviews, and his next book, The Cat & the Fiddle: Images of musical humour from the Middle Ages to modern times (Bodleian Library, Oxford) will be published shortly. Jeremy Barlow lectures at home and abroad on a variety of subjects linking music and art. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 310

"The Baltimore Consort has delighted audiences on both sides of the Atlantic and earned their CDs a place on the Billboard Magazine Top-Ten list. The Baltimore Consort's arrangements of early music from England, Scotland, France, Italy, and Spain speak to the heart as well as the mind, and their love for the early music of English/Scottish heritage has led them to delve into the rich trove of traditional balladry and dance tunes preserved in the Appalachian mountains and Nova Scotia. More recently, the group has explored the extraordinary repertory from the Iberian peninsula awill in a program entitled "Cancionero: Early Music from Spain."

The Consort tours all regions of the USA, has also appears frequently in Europe, and has held residencies at the Walters Art Gallery and the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. Its performances on such syndicated radio programs as Performance Today, St. Paul Sunday, Millennium of Music, Harmonia, and Onstage (CBC) have broadcast its music far and wide.

The Consort has recorded thirteen discs on the Dorian label (click on Recordings link above). The group also performs with orchestra, in a family-friendly show entitled O'er the Hills and Far Away, which is a set of symphonic arrangements created by Consort member and composer Larry Lipkis. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 380

"The ensemble Ars Cantus was established in the year 2000 as a vocal group associated with the Wroclaw Chamber Choir (Wroclawscy Kameralisci), under the artistic direction of Tomasz Dobrzanski.

Ars Cantus performs the music of bygone epochs, from the Middle Ages (songs from the medieval Carmina Burana manuscript) to the early Baroque (e.g. Salomone Rossi - Court and Synagogue Music). An essential part of the repertoire of Ars Cantus is the musical heritage of Lower Silesia, which reaches back to the 14th century and which, in many cases, is now being made available to listeners for the first time in centuries (Banquet at City Hall - works from Wroclaw and Silesia musical prints of the 16th and 17th centuries - and Serena mente jubilo - works from 14th and 15th century manuscripts from Wroclaw, Zagan and Zielona Gora). " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 448

"ARS ANTIQUA AUSTRIA, director: Gunar Letzbor Ars Antiqua Austria was founded in Linz in 1995 with the aim of introducing audiences to the roots of specifically Austrian baroque music played on period-instruments. The music performed at the imperial court in Vienna at this period shows the strong influence of Italy and later of French forms, while Spanish court ceremonials also shape the character of the works. The typical Austrian sound of the period also betrays the influence of the many Crownlands. The political and social boundaries of Austria in the baroque era were far wider than in the 20th century. Elements of Slav and Hungarian folk music mingle with alpine sounds and can be heard in the art music of the period. The Austrian sound also reflects the temperament and character of the Austrians of that period - a unifying element in the melting-pot of many different cultures: the joie de vivre of the South, Slav melancholy, French formality, Spanish pomp and the Alpine character of the German-speaking regions. This fusion of court- with folk music and a strong element of dance music form the typical Austrian sound.

The core of Ars Antiqua Austria comprises 8 musicians directed by Gunar Letzbor. The ensemble is readily augmented to accommodate a still wider repertoire.. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 595

“Internationally recognized for the quality of its performances and the originality of its projects, Alla francesca figures among groups who strive to discover and interpret repertoire in the best of conditions. The interpretation, both lively and poetic, is the result of a long process of maturation, research and exchange, a music test of performance practice, with a real sense of collaboration and contact with the public. .. . ”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 307

"La Saltarelle was formed in 1986 in Castres, dans le Tarn (FR). The group offers a repertoire of dance, music and songs of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in Renaissance Europe. " (transl. ed.) See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 359

"Formed in 1991, the Collegium, early music ensemble, is composed of adolescents and young adults loving music and especially the ancient instruments.

The repertoire is based primarily on the baroque periods and style but without rejecting other styles (South American music, various adaptations to jazz ...).

The program includes medieval music renaissance and baroque instrumental and vocal music of the Andes. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 454

"Pro Musica Antiqua Oslo was formed in 1969. Using period instruments and performing in an historically informed style, they make medieval and renaissance music come to life in spontaneous and thrilling performances. PMA has toured in Scandinavia and Germany (Musikfestival Schleswig-Holstein, Festival for medieval music in Montalbane), and has recorded two CDs: "Valravnen", renaissance music from Denmark-Norway was well recieved by the press in 1995. "Cantio", church and school songs from Piae Cantiones (1999 - Simax classics) was called "the most successful recording of medieval music ever from a Norwegian ensemble".

Hans Olav Gorset, the director of the ensemble, co-founded the original PMA, Oslo, and teaches flute, recorder, and performance practice at the Norwegian State Academy of Music in Oslo. He also performs regularly as a soloist and in other groups, has made hundreds of radio programs about early music for the Norwegian radio, builds historical instruments, and for more than 20 years he taught students from all over the world at the Ringve Museum International Summer Course for Early Music. His research into the popular music of Denmark-Norway in the 17th and 18th century has been fruitful: The CD "For Citizens and Peasants", Norwegian popular music from 18th century manuscripts, was nominated to the Norwegian Gramophone Prize for 1990 (Spellemannsprisen). His solo recording of the flute music of the French composer Pierre Philidor (1681-1731) has received excellent reviews in the international music periodicals.

PRO MUSICA ANTIQUA, OSLO is a flexible group, from three to 7 musicians and singers. For certain projects they also invite choirs and local performers to join them. For the most part they are 2 singers and 3-5 instrumentalists. The current line-up is Marit Isaksen Solstrand, soprano and Staale Ytterli, baritone, Gisela Attinger and Elizabeth Gaver, fiddles and rebec, Vegard Lund, lutes and Hans Olav Gorset, flutes and recorders. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 285

"Magnificat was formed in 1991 by its conductor, Philip Cave, to explore the rich diversity of choral music from the last five centuries. The ensemble specializes in the restoration and performance of neglected choral masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries. The choir ranges from four to forty voices and has performed a wide range of music, both a cappella and with its own orchestra of period instruments. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 262

"La Donna Musicale was formed in 1992 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and the historical performance of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Contemporary music by women composers. The group presented three concerts in its inaugural year, using scores discovered through the research of its director, Laury Gutiérrez. Sponsored by Indiana University, the performances took place in Bloomington, Indiana during Women's History Month. An enthusiastic reception to those events prompted additional research and performances. Professional musicians and music producers in Bloomington and Boston encouraged the participation of the ensemble as a concurrent event during the 1993 Boston Early Music Festival. Its success attracted more performers to the group and led to the establishment of a Boston-based ensemble.

The ensemble is presently guided by a group of prominent individuals who, through the dedicated work as Boards of Directors and Advisors, represent both the artistic and business community. Since its inception, the researchers and performers of La Donna Musicale have studied more than 17 women composers, performed 100 pieces in 18 concerts, and gathered over 1,000 works. The ensemble has premiered the works of Milanese nun Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Venetian courtesan Barbara Strozzi and the mysterious Antonia Bembo. Other composers include Julie Pinel, Bianca Maria Meda, Caterina Assandra, Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, and Madalena Casulana. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

La Donna Musicale is a non-profit research, education, and performance organization devoted exclusively to the discovery, preservation, and promotion of sacred and secular music by women composers.  The internationally acclaimed ensemble uses period instruments and historically-informed performance practice to showcase the work of women composers from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods, as well as contemporary works. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, La Donna Musicale performs throughout the U.S. and internationally.

La Donna Musicale brings together world-renowned musicians and scholars to unearth, perform, and record music that, in many instances, has never been performed or recorded previously. Concerts have featured modern world premieres of works by Antonia Bembo, Anna Bon, Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Julie Pinel, and Caterina Assandra, among others. Under the leadership of founding director Laury Gutiérrez, the ensemble translates the concept of historical performance into live and recorded music. Collaborating scholars, experts in their field, include Claire Fontijn, Robert Kendrick, Thierry Favier, Catherine E. Gordon-Seifert, David Lasocki, and Rebecca Messbarger.

Since its inception, La Donna Musicale has educated listeners through outreach programs, workshops, pre-concert lectures, extensive and informative CD liner and program notes, radio programs, and via its website which features online audio files. The Ensemble has also participated in music education series such as Harvard University’s Meet the Performer, and has been lauded by Early Music America as an ensemble that performs “…outstanding music stylishly performed…”  Each of La Donna Musicale’s four ground-breaking CDs of music by Antonia Bembo and Julie Pinel and Anna Bon has received national and international accolades."

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 350

"Seven Times Salt was formed in February 2003. Since that time, we have performed for the Longy School of Music, Harvard University, The Society For Historically Informed Performance, the Boston Recorder Society, Plimoth Plantation, the Ken Pierce Dance Company, the Amherst Early Music Festival, the Early Music Festivals in Bloomington (IN) and Boston, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, and WGBH radio. We are based in Boston, MA, and our specialty is chamber music of the 16th and 17th centuries. ...

In our own repertoire, we strive to cover the waterfront from Morley to Matteis and everything in between, including not just English music, but other popular music from around Europe in the musically fertile period of the 16th and 17th centuries. The English consort turns out to be a perfect vehicle for a wide variety of Renaissance and early Baroque music, especially with the occasional addition of voices and other instruments such as bagpipes and percussion. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 385

"For more than a decade, LIBER (formerly Liber unUsualis) has been the foremost interpreter of late medieval music in the United States.  LIBER’s artistic director and founding member, William Hudson, is doggedly devoted to rediscovering and performing this ancient repertoire.  His extensive research and meticulous preparation of the music of the late medieval period highlights the vitality of this music.  Audiences leave a LIBER performance entertained, enlightened, and energized by their new experience of this ancient art form."

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Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 359

"Constantinople is a performing ensemble that draws its inspiration from the music of the Mediterranean, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Middle-Eastern musical traditions. Constantinople presents a new form of musical expression, born of a wellspring of transformation and integration of divers traditions from the Middle Ages and today, from here and abroad.

The ensemble provides a forum for cross-fertilization among various musical cultures, both within the ensemble itself and with its guest artists. Constantinople endeavours to consolidate the ties among these cultures by cultivating a unique mode of musical expression -a musical vocabulary that has grown out of extensive research into the history and esthetics of the musical traditions into which it delves, combined with freshness and creativity.

Constantinople has given numerous performances in Canada, in Mexico and in Europe. Last two years, the ensemble has been performing in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Lebanon, Mexico and Canada among others. Many of these have been broadcast on the CBC/Radio-Canada radio network. Winners of the Discovery of the Year Award from Opus Gala in 2003, Constantinople have been the Ensemble in residence at Radio-Canada for the 2004-2005 season. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 424