EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Capella Alamire was formed in 1984 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the purpose of exploring the repertoire of the Renaissance. The word Alamire is a solmization term for the pitch A, sung as la, mi, or re; it was also the pseudonym of a Flemish music scribe employed by the Habsburg court at the beginning of the 16th century in the region of present-day Belgium and northern France, an area that produced many of the greatest composers and singers of the time. In the first twelve years the ensemble performed some 28 programs in over 100 concerts. The majority of these have been centered on repertoire by Franco-Flemish composers: Josquin DesPrez (Missae De beata Virgine, Malheur me bat, L'ami baudechon), Johannes Ockeghem (Missae L'homme armé, Fors seulement, Cuiusvis toni), Antoine Busnoys, Pierre de la Rue, Heinrich Isaac, and Nicholas Gombert. Capella Alamire has released six CD recordings to date, including one through Titanic Records (Motets, 1992), and two through Dorian Discovery (The Early Josquin, 1995, and Three Masses by Ockeghem, 1997), and our latest one through Naxos (Gombert, 2006). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 331

"De Camer van Musiecke ("the music chamber") performs renaissance music, mainly from 16th century Italy, France, Spain, England and the Low Countries.

They draw on compositions by (among others) Jacob van Eyck, Orlando di Lasso, Jacques Arcadelt, Nicolas Gombert, Thomas Crequillon, Giovanni Bassano, Cipriano de Rore, Giovanni Battista Riccio, Giovanni Paolo Cima, Girolamo Frescobaldi and, of course, the inevitable, but most versatile and unseizable anonymous." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 484

"Since its London debut in 1986, Fretwork has given concerts and broadcast round the world, made numerous highly successful recordings, set new standards in the performance of the great English music for viol consort, and generated a living repertory for the medium." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 563

"Fortune’s Wheel made its debut at the 1996 International Festival of Early Music in Mexico City, where critics acclaimed the group’s “style, diction, tuning, perfect balance, and total engagement with the music.” Since then, the ensemble has been presented by early music concert series in San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Tijuana, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Houston, Jackson, Tucson, Columbus, Cambridge, and Duke University. They have also appeared at the Boston Early Music Festival, the Berkeley Early Music Festival, the Amherst Early Music Festival, The Cloisters and the Frick Collection in New York City, Yale University’s Collection of Musical Instruments, and many other series." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 407

"The Ensemble Villancico was formed in 1995 for the purpose of performing and spreading the renaissance music collection "Cancionero de Upsala", and is conducted by Peter Pontvik. The ensemble has given more than a hundred concerts, in 25 countries (Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Baltic states and Latin America). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 640

"The ensemble Peregrina researches and performs the repertories of twelfth to fourteenth century Europe, specializing in vocal polyphony for equal voices. The sacred and secular music of the Middle Ages, such as the organa and conductus of high medieval Notre Dame, aquitanian nova cantica and the motets of manuscripts from Montpellier and Bamberg provide a rich bounty of repertory for three voices, and serve as the backbone of the ensemble Peregrina's current work. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 564

"Ensemble Enchiriadis, founded in Rome in 1998 by Andrea De Luca and Silvia Scozzi, perform music of the Middle Ages and the Reinassance particularly related to the cultures of the Mediterranean area. The project is carried on by musicians from different backgrounds, who deal with early music from different points of view: historical, folkloristic, philological, interpretative, including the manufacture of the instruments. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 351

"Luca Pianca is Italian-Swiss musician-lutenist born in Lugano, Switzerland (his specialty is archlute). He studied with Nikolaus Harnoncourt at Mozarteum Salzburg and collaborated with Concentus Musicus Wien since 1982. In 1985 he co - founded Il Giardino Armonico, a pioneering Italian early music ensemble based in Milan. He also served as a lutenist at Zurich Opera House.

Luca Pianca has recorded more than 20 CDs in and out of his work with Il Giardino Armonico, including complete recordings of lute repertoire by J.S.Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. He has partnered with soloists such as Cecilia Bartoli, Eva Mei, Sylvia McNair. Since 1999 Pianca has teamed with viola da gamba player Vittorio Ghielmi to record numerous CDs. Since 2001 he has also collaborated with a contemporary lutenist-composer Roman Turovsky-Savchuk, whose works he premiered at several international festivals (Urbino, Salamanca, Paris, Vilnius inter alia).“ (Wikipedia)

“Vittorio Ghielmi is a viola da gamba player, born in 1968, in Milano, Italy. Vittorio has performed in the most important concert halls of Europe and the USA as a soloist with orchestras such as Il Giardino Armonico, Wiener Philharmoniker, Philharmonia Orchestra London. He teaches viola da gamba at Conservatorio Luca Marenzio di Brescia.

Vittorio Ghielmi is the founder of Il Suonar Parlante ensemble (consort), playing with famous composers and jazzists (Uri Caine, Don Byron, Kenny Wheeler). He published a viol tutorial (in collaboration with Paolo Biordi, Ut-Orpheus Editions, Bologna) and also unedited viol music (Ed. Minkoff, Fuzeau).“ (Wikipedia)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 350

" Cancionero is an Early Music Ensemble based in the Sevenoaks and Maidstone area of Kent. The group perform music from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance with an emphasis on the troubadour and Spanish repertoire but also including music from the Tudor court. Programmes are available with from 2 to 5 performers.

Members of the group sing and perform on a wide variety of instruments: Renaissance recorders, cornamuse, crumhorn, bagpipes, medieval and renaissance lute, vihuela, harp, gittern, citole, crwth, dulcimer, psaltery, rebec, virginals, hurdy-gurdy and percussion." See website for more information (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 317

"Salut! baroque is one of Australia's most dynamic early music ensembles, bringing together Australia's finest baroque musicians in a chamber orchestra of up to twelve members. Formed in 1995 and led by artistic directors Sally Melhuish and Tim Blomfield, the ensemble performs annual subscription series concerts in Canberra and Sydney. Salut!'s international guest artists have included baroque violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch and Dutch cellist Jaap ter Linden." See site for more info. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 03, 2008 | Hits: 555

"Hailed by the New York Times as “Sophisticated and Beguiling” and praised by the Los Angeles Times for their “astonishingly vital music-making”, the New York-based Baroque ensemble REBEL (pronounced “Re-BEL”) has earned an impressive international reputation, enchanting diverse audiences by their unique style and their virtuosic, highly expressive and provocative approach to the Baroque and Classical repertoire. ..." (See site for more info (ed.))

Added on: Feb 02, 2008 | Hits: 362

"MUSICA ANTIQUA NOVA is the Westchester County concert series of the baroque ensemble REBEL, performances of which take place in two historically notable and acoustically excellent venues in Westchester County: the Bedford Presbyterian Church in Bedford, NY and the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, NY. Three to four programs are presented annually, and ofte include guest artists of international repute. The series aims to present both known and rarely if ever heard 17th- and 18th-century repertoire, performed on historical instruments of the period, in an intimate setting. Receptions often follow the concerts, at which the artists mingle freely with the audience. " ...

Added on: Feb 02, 2008 | Hits: 306

" Since 2002 La Favoritte early music has specialized in Baroque music on period instruments The ensemble also enjoys stretching the bounds of repertoire to include Medieval, Renaissance and contemporary works in performance. Since its inception as a trio, La Fav has grown to a larger ensemble frequently performing as a full-sized baroque orchestra including winds, brass, and tympani.

Our name, La Favoritte, from an 18th century piece for viola da gamba (by the French composer, Charles Dollé) is partly French - partly Italian, reflecting both the current musical fashion of the day, Les goût réunis (the unified style), and the ensemble's musical interests. Our special focus is the music of women composers, and the musical traditions of early Canada; great artists from ages past including Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, Barbara Strozzi, as well as the Augustine and Ursuline Nuns of New France. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 383

"We are a merry band of professional minstrels who provide a truly authentic flavour of Elizabethan England. Our music, instruments and costumes are all accurately researched, but we're not hardened academics. We play music that's an instant hit with most audiences.

We use 16th century improvisation techniques to keep the music fresh. Every performance is different, and we make sure that the tempo, style and instrumentation change regularly. No-one gets bored at a Diabolus gig. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 385

"From Medieval chant to the slightly scandalous ditties of the English court to the haunting strains of Sephardic Music, the Early Music Players' concerts are authentic, moving, and always thoroughly entertaining.
Elegant period garb, an astonishing array of early instruments and songs in their original languages as well as modern translations provide a thrill for the ears and a feast for the eyes.
The ensemble has been performing Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music since 1972, delighting listeners and garnering critical acclaim throughout the New York metropolitan area, from The 92nd Street Y, St. Bartholomew's Great Music Series, and Music at St. Peter's in Morristown to housewarmings and weddings. The Early Music Players have also been featured on WNET/Channel 13 and on New Jersey Network's "State of the Arts." ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 406

"Renowned for their unearthly vocal blend and virtuosic ensemble singing, the four women of Anonymous 4 combine musical, literary, and historical scholarship with contemporary performance intuition as they create ingeniously designed programs, interweaving music with poetry and narrative.

In addition to their unmatched medieval repertoire, Anonymous 4 has often reached out into the realm of contemporary music, and has premiered works by Peter Maxwell Davies, John Tavener, Steve Reich, and Richard Einhorn. The group has most recently expanded their repertoire to include traditional music of the British Isles and America.

Anonymous 4 has performed in major venues and festivals throughout North America, Europe and the Far East. The ensemble has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," "CBS Sunday Morning," A&E's "Breakfast With the Arts," and NPR’s “Weekend Edition.” Anonymous 4's award-winning recordings have attained unprecedented popularity, rising to the top of Billboard's classical chart, and selling almost 1.5 million copies worldwide. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 375

"Vox is a 12-voice professional, Ann Arbor based, a cappella ensemble dedicated to the performance of early (primarily Medieval and Renaissance) vocal music. Founded in 2000 by Executive Director Whitnie Crown Wolverton, Vox has been under the artistic direction of Christopher Wolverton since its inception. Members of Vox have sung professionally as soloists and ensemble artists with some of the most prestigious vocal music ensembles, including Chanticleer, St. Paul's Cathedral (London), The Rose Ensemble, Conspirare, St. Martin's Chamber Choir, and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 397

"Carol Lisek, Director After receiving a Ph.D. in chemistry and working as a research scientist for several years, Carol Lisek decided to pursue what was a hobby – music – as a full time endeavor. She earned her M.F.A. in Vocal Performance from the California Institute of the Arts and her D.M.A. in Early Music Performance from USC. Dr. Lisek performs as a contralto soloist and as a chorus member in many area choruses, including Vox Femina Los Angeles. She is an adjunct music faculty member at El Camino College and the Claremont Graduate University.

Continuing a Legacy of Early Music. Since the 1960s, Jouyssance and its parent organization, the Foundation of the Neo-Renaissance, have been dedicated to performing both familiar and obscure repertoire of the 14th through mid 17th centuries. Although primarily a vocal ensemble, Jouyssance often features performances and accompaniments by period instruments. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 304

"Audiences love ARTEK concerts for their exciting, dramatic performances of baroque music, with compelling musical settings of beautiful poetry and infectious dance rhythms that infuse the performances with vitality and spirit. ARTEK features some of America's finest singers: Laura Heimes, soprano; Barbara Hollinshead, mezzo-soprano; Ryland Angel, countertenor; Philip Anderson, tenor; Michael Brown, tenor; and Peter Becker, bass-baritone. ARTEK instrumentalists include Robert Mealy, violin; Vita Wallace, violin; Motomi Igarashi, viola da gamba & lirone; Daniel Swenberg, theorbo; Charles Weaver, lute and guitar; Grant Herreid, lute; Christa Patton, harp; and Gwendolyn Toth, harpsichord and organ. …

ARTEK toured from 1997 to 2002 with the Mark Morris Dance Group, visiting major venues in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Canada, as well as more than 50 of America's premier theaters: BAM, Cal Performances in Berkeley, The Schubert Theater in Boston, McCarter Theater in Princeton, and many more from California to the Northeast.  ARTEK has appeared in Europe previously at the Regensburg Tage Alter Musik festival; at the Utrecht Fringe Festival; and in Feldkirchen, Austria; Dolni Lukavice, Czech Republic; Beaulieu, France; Konstanz, Germany; and Kreuzlingen, Switzerland.

In New York City area ARTEK has appeared on the Music Before 1800 series and on the Princeton Friends of Music series; on First Night New York at St. Bartholomew's Church; as featured performers with the Bach-Schutz Society Conference; and on the Kaye Playhouse Chamber Music Series. ARTEK presents its own series of evening concerts each season at halls and churches in New York City and Princeton, NJ.  ARTEK also performs regularly throughout the concert season on the free midday concert series, Midtown Concerts, at St. Bartholomew's Church in midtown Manhattan.  In spring 2001, director Gwendolyn Toth was awarded the Newell Jenkins Prize for excellence in early music performance in recognition of her work with ARTEK."

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Added on: Aug 20, 2007 | Hits: 408

"The ensemble Le Jardin Secret presents the wonderful treasure of Baroque solo vocal literature accompanied by the full colour and beauty of original continuo and obligato instruments. With soprano Elizabeth Dobbin, the ensemble performs a wide range of 17th and 18th century repertoire with dedicated attention to historical context and to the possibilities of creative continuo playing and improvisation.

The music is intimate and highly expressive, exploiting the powerful and contrasting affects of the poetry to which it is set, welcoming the listener into the most secret places of the heart. Le Jardin Secret (in French a metaphor for the heart) is a place of sensual beauty and delight, of mystery and contemplation, of lament, grief and suffering, of amusement and assignation.

The members of the ensemble, which won both the first prize and the audience prize in the Early Music Network International Young Artists’ Competition in York in 2007, are post-graduates of conservatories in Basel, The Hague and Brussels. It is the aim of the ensemble to bring to life the emotive energy of the music, opening the door to the aesthetic world of the Baroque in all its beguiling beauty. " ...

Added on: Aug 20, 2007 | Hits: 522

“Masques is a Montreal-based early music ensemble founded in 1998, performing vocal and instrumental music of the 16th and 17th centuries. The name of the ensemble is inspired by the masques of Elizabethan England - mystical performances that fused poetry, music, dance and drama.

The ensemble has become a meeting point for Canada's young musicians. Masques also collaborates regularly with up and coming European talents, thereby maintaining close ties with musicians of diverse backgrounds.

All of the musicians of Masques have enviable concert experience and regularly perform as soloists and chamber musicians throughout Canada, the United States and Europe with such ensembles as Capriccio, Stravagante, Tafelmusik, La Petitie Bande and Les Voix Humaines. While maintaining a core ensemble, Masques varies in size according to the demands of each project it presents. ...“

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Added on: Aug 18, 2007 | Hits: 629

"The Early Music Studio of Saint John is a new venture providing local musicians - both amateur and professional - with educational and performance programs about the music of the 16th to 18th centuries, the period of the first exploration and settlement of our region from the first voyage of Jacques Cartier in 1534 to the arrival of the Loyalists in 1783. The Early Music Studio seeks through its performances to offer the community the opportunity to experience the "soundtrack" of our early history. The adventurous spirit and energy of the early explorers and settlers is reflected in this lively, colourful music, as the composers of the time charted new realms of musical expression to create works which still have the power to entertain and move us today.

In keeping with the historical focus of the music, the Early Music Studio takes the stage in a number of Saint John's landmark heritage buildings. These dramatic performance spaces provide a fitting, historic backdrop for the performances of the Early Music Studio. " ...

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 439

"Early Music Studio was formed in 1987. Since then we have performed in concerts on period instruments exclusively, and recorded over seven hours of music written between 1580-1985. Our recording program began in the mid-1980's and continues with new web-only material in August and October 2004, February and December 2005 and May 2006. " ...

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 367

"The seeds for ARS & AMICI — a 10- to 12-day travel, study and performance program in Italy for young professionals and highly talented amateur musicians — were planted in 1996 in Boston. Under the guidance of Sheila Beardslee, a well-known Boston-area teacher and performer in early music, the ARS & AMICI program has visited Rome, Florence, Orvieto, Siena, Cortona, Assisi, Bolzano, Padua and Venice. In addition to performances in churches, community centers and schools ARS & AMICI seeks to create connections between amateur musicians and rising young professionals in the U.S. and in Italy. ARS & AMICI participants frequently work with distinguished early music teachers and directors in cities which the program visits. Each year ARS & AMICI’s repertoire changes to reflect the musical creativity of the Renaissance masters from Italy and the continent over the period 1520-1620, including choral and consort music in both sacred and secular genres, as well as historical dance. " ...

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 414

"The vocal and instrumental ensemble Les Arts Florissants is one of the most renowned and respected early music groups in Europe and throughout the world. Dedicated to the performance of Baroque music on period instruments, the ensemble was founded in 1979 by the Franco-American harpsichordist and conductor William Christie and takes its name from a short opera by Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Les Arts Florissants have been largely responsible for the resurgence of interest in France of 17th-and 18th-centuries more generally.

It is in the field of opera where Les Arts Florissants have enjoyed most success, regularly collaborating with eminent directors and choreographers, such as Jean-Marie Villégier, Robert Carsen, Alfredo Arias, Francine Lancelot, Béatrice Massin, Ana Yepes, José Montalvo... They have an equally high profile in the concert hall and on disc. For twenty years Les Arts Florissants have been artists in residence at the Théâtre de Caen.

The ensemble tours widely in France and is frequently invited to perform at prestigious festivals and venues internationally (the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center, the Barbican Centre in London and the Vienna Festival among others).

Les Arts Florissants receive financial support from the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the City of Caen and the Basse-Normandie Region. They are artists in residence in the théâtre de Caen. Imerys is their Principal Sponsor.”

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Added on: Aug 14, 2007 | Hits: 418