EarlyMusicNews.Org

"From its home in Birmingham, Ex Cathedra has established an international reputation as a leading UK choir and Early Music ensemble. Under founder and Artistic Director, Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is known for its vibrant performances and a passion for seeking out not only the best but the unfamiliar and the unexpected in the choral repertoire. Since its formation in 1969, Ex Cathedra has grown into a unique musical resource, comprising specialist choir, vocal consort of ten voices, period-instrument orchestra and thriving education programme.

Recent years have seen a major increase in Ex Cathedra’s national and international reputation thanks to its trail-blazing performances of Early Music – in particular the French and Latin American Baroque – and its role as a leading exponent of choral training and vocal skills education. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 463

Musica Fiata was founded in 1976 as an ensemble specializing in the performance of 16th and 17th century music o­n historical instruments.

An intensive study of performance-practice sources, playing techniques and original instruments of the period has enabled the group to develop a speech-based musical style and a distinctive sound which lends a transparency to the most dense textures.

Musica Fiata's exciting, virtuosic performances have resulted in invitations to leading festivals such as Ravenna, Innsbruck, Flanders, Utrecht, Brügge, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Venice, Herne, Berlin, York, Ansbach, Graz, Breslau, Malmo and Israel as well as radio and television recordings throughout Europe. Musica Fiata has recorded 30 CD's to date for Sony Classical, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi and CPO. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 465

Early Music Ensemble performing Medieval music. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 25, 2008 | Hits: 466

"Musica Antiqua of London is one of the foremost early music groups in the UK today. Playing renaissance instruments including viols, recorders, lute, guitar, harp, crumhorns, rebecs, shawms and sackbut, their performing history includes tours on the Early Music Network, the London concert halls, festivals throughout Britain and Europe, and appearances on national radio and television.

Often joined by leading guest artists for larger programmes, Musica Antiqua of London's virtuosity and versatility has won critical acclaim in the music press. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 469

"Trouvère bring medieval merriment to events of all kinds all around the country with a mix of performance and hands-on experience of medieval music-making.

Our medieval merriment show features a costumed band of medieval minstrels presenting songs, music, storytelling and dance. We regularly appear at castles and historic sites around the country, and at a wide variety of private and corporate functions. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 469

"Ensemble Phoenix Munich was established in 2003 by Joel Frederiksen, leading early music specialist, after moving to Munich, Germany. Munich is the resident city of the ensemble and the ensemble is proud to put the name of the city into its name. The ensemble is heir to Mr. Frederiksen’s previous group, the well-known L’antica musica New York (1989-2001). Ensemble Phoenix Munich presents early music at international standards using top international players and singers. The group is planning a concert series for 2007-8 in Munich and already has invitations to perform at international festivals. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 16, 2008 | Hits: 469

"The Toronto Consort is Canada’s leading chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early Baroque. Some of Canada’s leading early music specialists have come together to form the Toronto Consort, whose members include both singers and instrumentalists (lute, recorder, guitar, flute, early keyboards and percussion). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2007 | Hits: 470

"Sequentia is one of the world’s most respected and innovative ensembles for medieval music. Founded in 1977 by Benjamin Bagby and the late Barbara Thornton, Sequentia can look back on more than three decades of international concert tours, a comprehensive discography spanning the entire Middle Ages (including the complete works of Hildegard von Bingen), film and television productions of medieval music drama, and new generations of young performers trained in professional courses given by the ensemble.

After 25 years based in Cologne, Germany, Sequentia’s home has been re-established in Paris. In the 2008-2009 season, Sequentia’s newly-formed ensemble of men’s voices, based in Paris, will give the premiere of an innovative new program of vocal polyphony and chant from the Cathedral of Notre Dame. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 470

"Doulce Mémoire is synonymous, above all, with energy and team spirit, and with the delight of coming together with the common aim of taking a new look at the sacred and secular music of the Renaissance.

Doulce Mémoire is a close-knit group of instrumentalists and singers who appear regularly together at major international festivals – Innsbruck, Saintes, Bath, Ambronay and Boston, to name but a few – but also in more unusual settings, such as on the esplanade in front of the UGC cinema in the center of Paris, in a restaurant in Portugal, 4000 metres above sea level in the city of Quito in Ecuador, or on a barge (not ideal for stability!) on the lagoon at Tahiti.

Positively averse to boredom, Doulce Mémoire constantly creates new and original performances and takes up all sorts of interesting challenges, such as giving a show on a horse-drawn caravan on tour in 2000, sharing a concert with the great Uzbek singer Munnajat Yulchieva and training amateur choirs or young Indians in Bolivia.

Open to every form of art, Doulce Mémoire has worked with the musicians and dancers of the internationally recognized Han Tang Yuefu company of Taiwan, the Italian dancers of Il Ballarino, the British singers of the Cardinall’s Musick, and with Spanish dancers in an exciting show combining Renaissance music and flamenco.

The humdrum and the monotonous are shunned by Doulce Mémoire, which moves with ease from Renaissance cabaret (La Dive Bouteille) to mystical music fir Holy Week and from the Requiem for the Kings of France to commedia dell’arte in its latest show, Viva Venezia !.

Doulce Mémoire records for Naïve, K 617 and Zig Zag territories. Its recordings have received many awards and distinctions, including Diapason Record of the Year and maximum ratings from Le Monde de la Musique and Télérama." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 471

"Les Muffatti came into being to satisfy the need felt by several young Brussels musicians — with an eye to performing Baroque orchestral repertoire — to establish a professional working environment where the basic pleasure of music-making, the refinement of skills, and the investigation of content could be equably combined. Their enthusiasm, application and idealism resonated with Baroque specialist Peter van Heyghen, who joined the ensemble as permanent coach and conductor. They presented their debut concert in Brussels in 2004, and have since performed in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal. They have appeared numerous times in the Concertgebouw in Bruges, at the Musica Sacra festival in Maastricht, and at the renowned Early Music festivals in Bruges and Utrecht. Between 2007 and 2009 they will be one of the ensembles in residence at the Augustinus Music Centre in Antwerpen.

The ensemble's name refers to the cosmopolitan composer Georg Muffat (1653-1704), a key figure in the orchestra's history, and one of the first writers to describe in detail the great stylistic differences between French and Italian Baroque music. Les Muffatti's first recording was devoted to the works of this composer. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 473

"Le Petit Ensemble explores the music of the 17th and 18th centuries with its luxurious aesthetics by choosing and intimate contact with the public thanks to its chambre music." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 474

Early music ensemble.

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 475

" Le Basile is a group of talented young musicians specialising in music of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries who met during their studies in the Medieval Department of the prestigious Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland. The group takes its name from a piece by Solage in the Chantilly Codex (a 14th century music manuscript); le basile is French for basilisk and is also the basis for the name Basel – the group’s town of origin. The group performs throughout Europe and is a regular visitor to the Brighton Early Music Festival. Concerts are presented on copies of medieval and early Renaissance instruments and the members strive to introduce this ‘little heard’ music to audiences through innovative, informative and entertaining performances. Recent recitals and workshops in Germany, Switzerland and the UK have received excellent reviews. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 477

“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. ..“ 

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 479

“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.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 481

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

"Since its inception in 1982, Sonnerie, formerly Trio Sonnerie, has evolved into one of the most imaginative, flexible and dynamic period instrument ensembles in the country. It is directed from the violin by Monica Huggett, world-renowned for her expressive and impassioned performances.

The group's unusual versatility means it can expand from a trio of violin, viola da gamba and keyboard, into a full chamber orchestra. Recent recordings include the 2002 Gramophone award winning CD of Biber violin sonatas and the Bach Violin Concerti for Sanctury Classics, discs of Handel's Op.2 trio sonatas and organ concertos (Avie) and the Mystery sonatas by Biber (ASV). More details can be found on the discography page.

Sonnerie has performed internationally at all the major festivals and concert halls - recent highlights have included the Cheltenham, Innsbruck, Nordic Baroque, Radlovica (Slovenia), Koethen Bach and Aldeburgh festivals, as well as performances in Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, York, Glasgow and at the Wigmore Hall in London. Visit the concerts database for details of future engagements. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 484

"The Women's Antique Vocal Ensemble (WAVE) was founded in September 1999 as an outgrowth of an education class sponsored by the San Francisco Early Music Society (SFEMS). This ensemble, now an affiliate of SFEMS, consists of 14 women who are dedicated to promoting and performing music of the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. From its inception WAVE's mission has been to perform in as authentic and skilled a manner as possible, while always striving to communicate the heart and soul of this incredibly rich musical heritage. WAVE has performed concerts in the greater San Francisco Bay Area as well as many public service concerts and outreach programs for communities in need such as hospitals, senior citizens, and the inmates at Santa Rita Jail. Members of WAVE give of their talent to support those in need as well as engender an appreciation of early music through their performances. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 02, 2008 | Hits: 485

"Born in France, where he began his musical studies in violin and composition at the Conservatoire National de Region of Rueil Malmaison. From there he went on to specialize in Medieval and Renaissance music, studying medieval fiddle, ancient bagpipes, and voice. After studies with Marco Horvat, Jasmin Martorell and Lucie Jolivet at the Centre de Musique Medievale in Paris, he moved to Switzerland where he currently studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. He collaborates regularly with many musicians in various ensembles including Millenarium (Thierry Gomar and Christophe Deslignes), Leones (Marc Lewon), La Morra (Corina Marti, Michal Gondko), Les Jardins de Courtoisie (Anne Quentin) and Vox Suavis (Dominque Vellard and Ana. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 486

"Inspired by Romance lyrics (reverdies) celebrating the return of Spring, the ensemble laReverdie was founded in 1986 by two pairs of sisters, all singers and instrumentalists, with the intent of exploring the musical repertoire of Europe from the High Middle Ages to the end of the 14th century.

The painstaking attention to authenticity with which laReverdie prepares its programs is only one of the numerous means through which the ensemble strives to communicate the vitality, meaning and unaffected harmony of everything it presents to its audience. A particular attention is given to the wide and mostly unexplored repertoire of "sacred theatre": liturgical dramas and dramatic liturgy, collective representations, manifestations which evoke the religiousness of an age whose echoes are not extinguished yet. The aim is not so much to meticulously catalogue a collection of archaeological relics as it is to faithfully reconstruct the musical heritage of the Middle Ages as a living fragment of a culture long since past but not lost.

laReverdie has enjoyed the regular collaboration of various other musicians: among the others Doron David Sherwin, one of the leading specialists of cornetto, as well as a versatile arranger, singer and percussionist. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 486

"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: 489

“Our mission is to promote and encourage the performance and appreciation of Early Music, principally but not exclusively in East Cork.

By the term "Early Music" we understand music composed before 1750, performed with instruments appropriate to the period. We aim to integrate the authentic style and spirit of an earlier time with performances which are vital and coherent in the present. Therefore, later music may be included and connections made to contemporary music, traditional music from various cultures, non-written-down forms of music, and other art forms such as dance, theatre, literature, visual art, film etc. In this way, we acknowledge 'Early Music' as a vital root of our present culture.

East Cork Early Music will work to nurture and support Irish and Irish-based musicians at every level, as well as attracting specialist performers from overseas. Our audiences should be both local and international. We will promote concerts of the highest quality and innovation. Together with concerts we will create an educational programme consisting of intensive masterclasses, lectures and school performances. Theses are aimed at a wide range of students: from primary school-children to college level and adults, both music students and non-specialists. We will encourage participation in masterclasses by those who are new to Early Music performance, as well as by those already specializing in it.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 03, 2010 | Hits: 491

"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: 493

“With a desire to create a period instrument ensemble dedicated to the music of the Renaissance and Early Baroque, La Compañia was formed in 1997 by its artistic directors Danny Lucin and Mitchell Cross, who share a long collaborative partnership which commenced whilst studying improvisation at the Victorian College of the Arts.

La Compañia is a unique Australian ensemble, performing a rarely-heard repertoire on historically important instruments, to form a consort rich in possibilities. ..“ Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2009 | Hits: 507

"Polyhymnia is a small ensemble of singers and instrumentalists focusing on historically informed performance of sacred music from the courts and cathedrals of the Renaissance world. The singers that comprise the ensemble are drawn from many sources, including some of the finest church choirs in New York. Past and present members have sung with Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Saint Luke in the Fields and Holy Apostles. Originally artists-in-residence at Saint John’s in the Village, the ensemble moved to its current home at Saint Ignatius of Antioch in 2003, when the ensemble and its audience outgrew its original home. Currently producing three concerts a year in New York, Polyhymnia has also made a name for itself at performances in Boston as a popular entry in the Boston Early Music Festival fringe events, and has been the guest choir at a number of special events, most notably the centenary celebrations of Holy Cross Monastery, in Westpark NY. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 511