EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Ensemble Anonymus was formed in Québec City in 1978 by a group of young professional performers under the leadership of Claude Bernatchez, the group’s founder and musical director. Their passionate interest in early music led them to attempt to recreate the musical traditions of medieval Europe. Today, the long list of their concerts and original shows, along with a series of high-quality recordings, testifies to their achievements and the level of artistic excellence they have attained. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 423

"Istanpitta is a United States based ensemble performing music of the 10th to 14th century Middle Ages including many traditional Middle Eastern dance tunes. The ensemble consists of 3-5 musicians playing a variety of period instruments including oud, lute, saz, early percussion, shawms, recorders, transverse flutes, krummhorns, vielles, Medieval harp, bagpipes and voice. The ensemble performs live at formal concert venues, universities, and festivals. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 379

"Albuquerque Baroque Players was formed in the summer of 1997 by six Albuquerque musicians who found that they had in common a desire to play Baroque music on the instruments of the period. They held a common belief that such performances would offer a greater understanding and depth of expression to music written over 250 years ago. After two years of infrequent performances, ABP was reborn with the current four members and has been performing a regular series of concerts at Los Altos Christian Church and the Historic Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales, along with appearances at the Cathedral Church of St. John, the Albuquerque Museum, and the Albuquerque Public Library. To date, ABP has been financial assisted by New Mexico Arts, the City of Albuquerque Urban Enhancement Trust Fund , the Garcia Automotive Group, Van Dyke Software and the Walter A. Brooks & Marilyn Gulley Brooks Foundation, as well as many private sponsors. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 285

"The Camerata Hungarica is one of the best known Hungarian ensembles in Europe and overseas. Their repertoire covers the European music of the Middle Ages through the Baroque. The ensemble is known as the best performer of the Hungarian and East and West European music of these centuries.

The Camerata Hungarica recorded secular music in Buda Castle of the 16th century the first time ever. They also made first recordings from the music of Transylvania and that of the historical Hungarian territories from the 16-18th centuries. One of these recordings, the double album of the Vietoris Manuscript, won the Grand Prix of the Paris Academy in 1975.

The ensemble performs its rich repertoire on an extremely high level of musicality and technical skills. This is based on the versatile and virtuoso treatment of the instruments.

The Camerata Hungarica has been concertizing abroad continually since the first tour to Italy in 1973. They participated in numerous early music festivals and gave concerts in a long list of countries, from Mexico to Japan, from Sweden to Sicily. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 338

"Altramar, in the Occitan language of the troubadours, was the name given to the Near Eastern lands that lay "over the sea;" the lands where Crusade and trade resulted in the rich cultural interchange of East and West.

Altramar is an ensemble specializing in music of the Medieval Era, sharing historical repertory in the context of human experience, and evoking the vibrant tapestry of medieval culture. Altramar combines a process of collaborative partnership with a commitment to scholarship and expression. Since 1991, Altramar has been presenting their unique blend of song and story, drama and rhetoric, and voices and instruments to audiences throughout North America.

Altramar's members arrived at their medieval meeting place by way of diverse musical paths: Jann Cosart plays bowed string instruments from the twelfth to the twentieth centuries. Her varied performing and teaching experience has taken her throughout North America and the Orient. David Stattelman, a native Iowan, received his earliest musical training through participation in the Roman Catholic liturgy, in which he is still plays an active part. In addition to Altramar, he maintains interests in chant and medieval polyphony, and performs with Magnificat and Theatre of Voices. Chris Smith is a jazz guitarist and ethnomusicologist, specializing in performance traditions of the Near East and the African Diaspora. He is a faculty member at the Indiana University School of Music, and produces the program "One World" for National Public Radio affiliate WFIU in Bloomington. Angela Mariani is a specialist in the performance practice of medieval music, whose career has included experience in rock, folk, and traditional styles. She produces the nationally-syndicated early music program Harmonia at WFIU in Bloomington, and has taught and performed in Boston, Bloomington, Amherst, and Vancouver. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 249

"The Newcastle Players perform Renaissance, Medieval, Celtic and British folk music on lute, baroque guitar, theorbo, viola da gamba, recorders, whistles and other period instruments. The Baltimore based ensemble was formed in 1994 when as members of the Peabody Renaissance Ensemble they collaborated to form a smaller group. Each member has extensive experience with early music perfomance on period instruments. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 379

"Sfera Armoniosa specialises in performance of music from the seventeenth century. The ensemble's name is derived from a work commissioned for a seventeenth century noble marriage, published for voice and basso continuo.

The group is based around an unchanging core of continuo players. Vocal soloists are then added to the ensemble according to the demands of the repertoire. The more commonly heard basso continuo combination of lute and viola da gamba is enriched by the use of less well known instruments such as the lirone and the baroque guitar.

In addition to the music of famous composers such as Monteverdi and Lully, the ensemble undertakes research into the manuscripts and printed works of Italian, French, Spanish, English, German and Dutch libraries in order to provide a rich spectrum of music from lesser known composers. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 300

"he cultural association Ensemble Baschenis takes its name from the well-known XVIIth century painter Evaristo Baschenis, who is considered the most accomplished painter of musical instruments in figurative art. Affiliated to the association are few selected Groups and Ensembles of high quality performers. Ranging from music from the Renaissance to XVIIIth century music for mandolin, the association organizes concerts of Early Music at the highest level of philological research, from both a musical and a technical point of view. Different formation and fields of interest characterize our Association's vast repertory: from a duo for voice and lute, to the Ensemble Salomone Rossi which has a specialized interest in the repertoire of Jewish music from the Baroque period. ... " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 358

"The Krauka group takes you on a musical journey back in time to an era when the Norse culture blossomed over the North Atlantic region, the time when the Vikings were setting out on perilous sea voyages from Scandinavia across the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland to Vinland (New Foundland).

Krauka was formed in 1999 around the idea of combining storytelling and music from the Viking Age. First they did research on what kind of instruments existed in the north of Europe during the Viking Age. From this information they built their own instruments, but using modern strings that made the music more powerful.

From the beginning Krauka was a band inspired by the Viking-age instruments and sagas, playing acoustically for about 100 persons. Later they have taken part in big festivals, for instance: in 2000 at a festival in Greenland, celebrating the 1000th year of Leif the Lucky's finding Vinland; and in 2001 at a Viking festival on the Faroe Islands. The same year they had their first school concert tour in Denmark and played in different Viking festivals in DK. In 2002 they played at a festival at Fjorukrain, outside Reykjavik in Iceland and at different locations in Iceland. This year they have also made two school-concert tours.

The musicians in Krauka are: Gudjon Rudolf: vocals, jew's harp and percussion; Jens Villy Pedersen: flutes, lyre, rebec and vocals; Aksel Striim: bowed lyre, shawm, flute and vocals. "

Visit website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 359

"LA MORRA performs European music of the period roughly defined by the dates 1300 and 1500 (traditionally referred to as 'late Medieval' and/or 'early Renaissance') with occasional escapades outside this time frame. The ensemble pays particular attention to the secular art song, sacred para-liturgical genres and instrumental music.

Formed in 2000, LA MORRA (named after Heinrich Isaac's famous instrumental fantasia) has rapidly made its way on to the stages of Europe's most prestigious early music festivals and concert series (including 'Festival van Vlaanderen', 'Netwerk' and 'Holland Festival Oude Muziek', 'Rencontres de Musique Médiévale du Thoronet', 'Freunde Alter Musik in Basel' and 'Il Canto delle Pietre'). Numerous live performances, broadcasts and the four CD releases that have appeared to date (see Discography) have contributed to establishing LA MORRA as one of the leading formations in the field, with a reputation for both varied, evocative and thoroughly researched programs and "virtuoso", "seductive" and "plausible" (Diapason) interpretations.

The ensemble is based in Basel (North-West Switzerland), home of the prestigious Schola Cantorum Basiliensis where the performance and theory of 'early music' have been taught for over 70 years. LA MORRA consists mainly of former students of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (usually four to eight vocalists and instrumentalists) and adapts to the requirements of each new concert or recording project. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 407

"claimed as an ensemble of “imaginative” programming and “delicate, flawlessly-played music”, the Chicago Early Music Consort recreates the rich and diverse sounds of the late Renaissance and early Baroque chamber repertoire in a historically-informed manner. Founded by Gary Berkenstock, the consort performs throughout the Chicagoland and Wisconsin areas.

The core ensemble consists of a “broken” consort of viola da gamba Phillip W. Serna, soprano Stephanie Sheffield, lute/theorbo Joel Spears, and recorders Gary Berkenstock, but the ensemble is supplemented as needed by the dictates of the music. Programs are built around historical themes in order to provide modern audiences with a meaningful social context that will enrich their musical experience. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 16, 2008 | Hits: 478

"The Spirit of Gambo is a Chicago area viol consort featuring Ken Perlow, Phillip Serna & Russell Wagner. The Spirit of Gambo performs music throughout the rich viol consort repertoire. Programs are built around providing historical context as well as variety in the repertoire to produce a stirring musical experience.

The Spirit of Gambo – a Chicago Consort of Viols was formed in 2005 to address a growing deficiency of viol consort performers in the Midwest region, especially in the Chicago area. All being professional performers, the Spirit of Gambo are passionate advocates of the performance of music for early instruments, especially music composed for viols.

The Spirit of Gambo’s members have performed on period instruments with varied groups including Ars Antigua, Ars Musica Chicago, Bella Voce, the Boston Early Music Festival, the Bottom Line Continuo Consort, the Catacoustic Consort, Chicago Early Music Consort, Chicago Opera Theater, the Classical Arts Orchestra, Comic Intermezzo, Early Music Chicago, Ensemble Musical Offering, the Forces of Virtue Ensemble and Choir, the Janus Ensemble, the Newberry Consort, the Second City Musick, and the Evelyn Dunbar Memorial Early Music Festival at Northwestern University. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 16, 2008 | Hits: 387

"Harmonia Baroque Players was established to perform the rich and plentiful small ensemble repertoire of the Renaissance and Baroque period, playing not only the popular works, but also the lesser-known masterpieces of this era. We are also deeply committed to providing affordable, high quality performances, thus making the enjoyment of live music concerts available to a wide audience which might not be able to afford higher priced events. Ticket prices are kept very low, but anyone who cannot afford even that will be admitted for free. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 279

"Musica Pacifica achieved recognition as one of North America's premiere baroque ensembles soon after the group's founding in 1990. Mining a rich vein of Baroque literature for mixed wind/string ensemble, the group performs the spirited chamber concerti of Vivaldi and Telemann, colorful dance suites from the courts and opera houses of France, and the more intimate solo, duo, and trio sonatas from European countries as diverse as Scotland, Poland, Spain, and England. Musica Pacifica has been described by the press as "some of the finest baroque musicians in America" (American Record Guide) and "among the best in the world" (Alte Musik Aktuell). At home in the San Francisco Bay area, the artists are members of Philharmonia Baroque, and they appear with many other prominent early music ensembles nationally and abroad. ... " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 380

" Musica Antigua de Toledo works to recreate the styles and sounds of early European music (pre-1800 CE) with as much historical accuracy as possible, using various combinations of voices and period instruments.

Each year we present a concert season of music organized around a theme, using various subjects, time periods, or national styles.

Several school programs are offered to acquaint children with early music and society, including colonial America.

The ensemble is available for programs specialized to fit your entertainment, educational, or holiday events. We occasionally join forces with other musical and dance groups! " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 347

"Founded by local musician and early music enthusiast, John Truitt, Música Antigua de Albuquerque has been performing medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music since 1978. In recognition of New Mexico's Hispanic tradition, the ensemble concentrated on the repertoire of Renaissance and medieval Spain in its early performances. Soon, however, the organization began to broaden the scope of its repertoire, and its concerts have since featured music from many areas in Europe from the 13th-18th centuries.

Música Antigua has given guest performances throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Silver City, Portales, Hobbs, Taos, Tucumcari, Los Alamos, Socorro, Grants, Corrales, Cedar Crest, Tomé, and Mountainair. The ensemble has given joint performances with the Sangre de Cristo Chorale and the Coro de Cámara, and has collaborated with the Cathedral Church of St. John in productions of the medieval Play of Daniel and T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral. In 2002, the group performed for the Southwest Repertory Theater's Shakespeare Festival. The ensemble has also given tour performances in Houston and Milwaukee. In addition to its concert series and guest performances, Música Antigua gives frequent lecture-demonstrations of early music and instruments to adults and students of all ages. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 423

"Musica Angelica is led by Music Director Martin Haselböck, the internationally renowned organist, conductor, and composer. Regarded as Southern California's premier Baroque ensemble, Musica Angelica presents wide-ranging programs encompassing music from the early Baroque through the early Classical era.

Since its inception in 1993, Musica Angelica has produced an annual subscription season of orchestral and chamber concerts in venues throughout Los Angeles County, programming a mixture of known masterworks along with rarely heard gems, and featuring many of the best Baroque musicians from across the country and Europe. Guest conductors have included Rinaldo Alessandrini, Giovanni Antonini, Harry Bicket, Paul Goodwin, and Jory Vinikour, among others. Concertmaster/Resident Artistic Director Elizabeth Blumenstock, the noted Baroque violinist, programs Musica Angelica's chamber music series.

Musica Angelica's first international tour, distinguished by sold-out performances and wide critical acclaim, took place in March 2007 in a joint venture with Haselböck's acclaimed European orchestra, the Wiener Akademie of Vienna. The ensemble presented 13 performances of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in Los Angeles, New York, Savannah (Savannah Music Festival), Mexico, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Italy and Germany. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 309

"Mediva's credo is to bring passion and life to music of previous times and go beyond authenticity experimenting with jazz, improvisation, theatre and dance.

In its various guises, Mediva can go from performing 12th century organum from original notation in a prominent Early Music Festival through to rocking out in a back street night-club.

Innovation and diversity are Mediva's key characteristics powered by the creative vision and energy of Ann Allen, one of the most cutting edge performers on the Early Music scene. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 384

" Using historic instruments, the professional musicians of the Ensemble recreate the unique characteristics of style and musical expression known to the composers of the Renaissance, Baroque and Classic eras. The Long Island Baroque Ensemble is committed to authentically duplicating the sounds and ambiance of times gone by." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 334

"The CONSORT VENETO is an italian group, playing on renaissance instruments. We are interested to shine new light on both instrumnetal and vocal music, composed in the centuries from the Middle Age to the early Baroque.

The Consort Veneto is particulary devoted to study and perform the music of Venetian area, i.e., north-eastern Italy.

The Consort Veneto performed more than 400 concerts in Italy and abroad, namely in Poland, India, Rumania, Greece, Belgium, Egypt, Israel, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Mexico, Portugal, recording for italian, greek, israeli, and egyptian TV and radio broadcasting corporation. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 378

"Chatham Baroque, western Pennsylvania's only professional baroque ensemble playing on period instruments, excites audiences with dazzling technique and artful interpretation. In recent years the trio has taken its performances and educational programs to Montreal, Mexico City, the British Virgin Islands, California, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington, DC. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 583

"Chanterye is a group devoted to presenting aspects of medieval life to modern audiences. In its simplest form, three performers - Helen, Alison and David Cooke - offer a range of music from the 13th to 15th centuries. But they are often supplemented by other singers and instrumentalists.

In its largest form to date, the group expands to take in actors and other entertainers to put on representations of medieval life and literature in a musical context. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 340

"Carolina Baroque was organized by Dale Higbee in 1988 for the purpose of performing music of the Baroque period (c. 1600-1750) on instruments familiar to Monteverdi, Purcell, Buxtehude, Vivaldi, Telemann, J. S. Bach, and Handel during this Golden Age of Music. Since then we have performed in many cities in North Carolina, as well as in South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. We appeared on Public TV (WTVI-42), have received rave reviews in the press, and digital CD recordings of our Salisbury concerts have been broadcast many times over both Davidson College's WDAV (FM 89.9) and Wake Forest University's WFDD (88.5 FM). Carolina Baroque is a funded member of the Arts Council of Rowan and an organizational member of Early Music America. The Music Director is a resident of Salisbury, NC, but the other artists are professional musicians from various North Carolina cities who have performed throughout the US, as well as in Europe and South America. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 412

"Founded in 1998 by the organist, harpsicordist and music historian Saverio Villa, Cappella Teatina has the aim of rediscovering, revaluating and reproposing the ancient Italian music repertoire of the "Maestri di Cappella" of XVIII century.

The knowledge of the existence of an enormous musical heritage of undoubtable value, which has not yet been explored, is the stimulus of an intense research of the original manuscripts held in numerous libraries both in Italy and abroad. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 248

"The vocal and instrumental consort Capilla Flamenca takes its name from the choir of the court chapel of Emperor Charles V. When Charles left the Low Countries in 1517, he took his best musicians with him in order to accompany him as 'living polyphony' to Spain.

Today's Capilla Flamenca recruits its specialized musicians mainly from Flanders so as to bring to life again the unique timbre of this brilliant 15th-16th century music in its full authenticity. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 583