EarlyMusicNews.Org

“In the world of Lady Georgianna, lascivious libertines and immodest maidens sport in the enchanted groves attended by nymphs and celestial zephyrs…

Wearing the flamboyant fashions of the Georgian and Regency eras we perform popular hits from the time of Marie Antoinette and Mad King George.

With voice, harpsichord and cello, we aim to bring to life the songs of the 18th century pleasure garden, interspersed with poetry and readings, for an unforgettable Georgian experience.

Lady Georgianna also perform popular Victorian music-hall songs and carols in late 19th century costume.”

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Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 259

“Founded in 2009 in Geneva by Pierre-Louis Rétat, harpsichordist and director, all Chioma d'Oro has chosen to explore the world of Baroque music through the relationship between text and music. “

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Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 258

"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: 256

“Datura plays medieval music. We have a divers medieval program with wild music to dance on, drinking songs, ballads, courtly- and secular music (o.a. from the Carmina Burana) and religious music (o.a.from the Cantigas de Santa Maria). We play with three or four musicians in matching medieval clothes.
   
Francesco Scafidi, Lies Sommer, Tom Haage and Nynke Glazema are together the band Datura. We work for more than ten years now as medieval musicians and have played in many castles, joustig events, medieval village parties, openings, ceremonies, weddings, gothic- folk- and fantasy festivals in the Netherlands and abroad.”

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Added on: Feb 19, 2012 | Hits: 256

"Schubert played on a quartet of rubber trout, pieces introduced in Japanese, Wagner grand opera seen through the wrong end of the telescope. Blissfully unaware of the limitations of an instrument with a range of just over an octave, the Chuckerbutty Ocarina Quartet take their small clay instruments through a dazzling array of improbable pieces, played with wit, musicality and occasional bursts of breathtaking speed. To add variety to the mix, the quartet also play guitar, charango and a few other surprises.

Since its debut at the Wigmore Hall, the Chuckerbutty Ocarina Quartet's talent has been appreciated in such prestigious venues as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Centre in London, and the Festival of Flanders. In 2005 the quartet appeared as the headline act at the 3rd international ocarina festival in Budrio, Italy, and in 2006/07 made six visits to Spain. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 255

"THE DULCAMARA training is instrumental, composed primarily of reeds and percussion, who wants to convey the variety of colors and sensations of representations itinerant street in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque. ... " (Google translation) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 254

“The instrumental ensemble Les Cornets Noirs have made their name in specializing in music of the Italian and German early Baroque.

The six musicians of different musical backgrounds met during their of study at the Schola Cantorum (Basel) …”

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Added on: Jun 03, 2011 | Hits: 254

"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: 253

“Founded by Antonio Frigé in 1989, as the natural evolution of the Duo Cassone-Frigé, the Ensemble "Pian & Forte" is a group with a variable structure formed by musicians dealing from many years with the study and the development of ancient music. Its aim is the rediscovery and the performance with original instruments of works dating from the early 17th to the late 18th centuries. And such a research, together with the extreme versatility and the fine musicianship of all its components made the Ensemble "Pian & Forte" one of the leading italian groups.

A very big concerts activity has been performed from 1993 for lots of International Festivals (Festival van Vlaanderen - Brugge Tage Alte Musik - Regensburg, Festival "Oude Muziek" - Utrecht, "Autunno Musicale di Como", Serate Musicali - Milano , International Organ Festival" in Aosta,
"Musica e Poesia a San Maurizio" - Milano, MIDEM - Cannes, Teatro Olimpico - Roma, "Pomeriggi Musicali di Milano"). It has moreover appeared in Corsica, France, Holland and Austria.

Up to now the Ens.Pian & Forte has recorded several C.D., issued by Nuova Era Records e Giulia Digital e Agorà with great approvation of the public and of the international critic who has more than once acclaimed them as "CD of the month". The "Pian & Forte" Ensemble plays for Dynamic.“

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 253

“ENSEMBLE TOURBILLON, founded in 1998 by Petr Wagner, brings together outstanding musicians from various parts of Europe who specialize in baroque and early classical performance practice on period instruments and are devoted to chamber music. Through its members the Ensemble Tourbillon combines the very best of European early music schools with outstanding musicianship, which lends the ensemble distinctively virtuosic style and refined sound colours.

Ensemble Tourbillon‘s repertoire spans a period from the seventeenth century up to C. F. Abel, C. Ph. E. Bach, with works of virtually unknown composers to familiar masterpieces of the baroque and early classical periods. Its formation ranging from 4 musicians (2 violins, viola da gamba, theorboe or harpsichord) to large instrumental and vocal forces enables the ensemble to perform major secular and sacred vocal repertoire. ..“

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Added on: Jul 14, 2009 | Hits: 253

Chalice Consort collaborates with early music scholars and musicians in helping little-known works from the Renaissance and early Baroque eras become more widely appreciated by the modern music-loving public. The Consort pays special attention to the verbal texts and to the music's rhetorical force, as well as to acoustics. Its performances also take into account the various concepts of stylistic decorum that were strongly articulated by humanist writers in the Renaissance and provide an essential part of the context in which these repertoires were composed, performed, and first appreciated. Chalice Consort aims to communicate the emotional power of this music to modern listeners.

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Added on: Jan 28, 2011 | Hits: 253

"The Ensemble Diapsalmata is made up of professionals medieval music. Text and singing, with the help of reconstructed instruments. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 24, 2008 | Hits: 252

Andrea Ortu traverso flute
Claudio Frigerio cello
Milena Frige' harpsichord

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Added on: Aug 05, 2008 | Hits: 249

“Les Délices is quickly establishing its reputation for polished, expressive, and dynamic performances of masterpieces and little-known works from the French Baroque. Founded by baroque oboist Debra Nagy, Les Délices is comprised of some of the nation’s top early music specialists, each with notable careers as soloists, chamber musicians, and teachers. In addition to touring engagements, Les Délices presents two to three concert sets per year in Northeast Ohio in intimate settings that encourage cooperation and mutual interest between local visual and performing artists. Les Délices' performances on period instruments allows them to explore the rich tapestry of tone colors available in this repertoire, and the group's name conveys their approach to the music of this era: a delight, a fine delicacy, sumptuous, and exciting. Audience members have called their performances “exquisite,” “superb,” and “breathtakingly gorgeous,” while the Cleveland Plain Dealer has lauded the ensemble’s “rhythmic buoyancy, suave phrasing and seamless interplay.” Les Délices has been delighting audiences with regional concerts in the midwest since 2006, made their Boston recital debut in June 2009, has had live performances featured on WKSU’s In Performance, and will have their new recording featured as part of the Audio-guide for an upcoming exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (Watteau, Music, and Theater).“

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Added on: May 03, 2010 | Hits: 249

“Praised for their “well-thought-out articulation and phrasing” (Early Music Review) and “elegant string playing that was immaculate in tuning and balance” (Early Music Today), the Sebastian Chamber Players (Sebastians) specialize in music of the Baroque and Classical eras and newly commissioned works for period instruments. Since their founding in 2001, the ensemble has performed throughout the United States. The group is comprised of members who have studied at the Historical Performance Program at the Juilliard School and as post-graduate fellows in early music at Yale University. The Sebastians were recently named the artists-in-residence at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester, CT. They were finalists of the 2011 York International Early Music Competition and the 2011 Early Music America/Naxos Recording Competition.”

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Added on: Jan 21, 2012 | Hits: 249

“Pro Musica Rara, Baltimore's “premier early music ensemble”, is a period instrument chamber music ensemble performing baroque, classical, and early romantic repertoire. Founded in 1974, its musicians include Baltimore area professionals, early music specialists from throughout the eastern seaboard and world-renown guest artists. As Artists-in-Residence at Towson University Center for the Arts, PMR presents an annual subscription series and offers pre-concert lectures, master classes, and open dress rehearsals for students. In recent years, PMR has also given performances in important area venues such as the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, Peabody Conservatory, and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.”

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Added on: Jan 22, 2011 | Hits: 246

“La Compañia formed in 1997 to perform music of the renaissance and early baroque. Directed by Danny Lucin, the ensemble brings together Australia's leading specialists on period instruments, creating a consort rich in possibilities.

A line up of historically important instruments, including; cornetto, sackbuts, dulcian, shawm, viola da gamba, lute and percussion, allows for exciting sound combinations reflecting the various instrumental groupings of the period. The group follows the sixteenth century performance practice of ornamentation, diminution and embellishment. Their vibrant musicianship combined with their improvisatory skills has established La Compañia's reputation with both audiences and critics for presenting innovative programs and dynamic performances.

La Compañia's credits include concert performances, major Australian arts festivals, international feature films, television appearances, live radio broadcasts, Musica Viva CountryWide, CD recordings including El fuego on ABC Classics and their current subscription series at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Director Danny Lucin

Musicians
Danny Lucin:  cornetto & mute cornetto
Mitchell Cross:  shawm & tenor dulcian
Glenn Bardwell:  sackbut
Bob Collins:  sackbut
Julian Bain:  sackbut
Brock Imison:  alto and bass dulcian
Simon Rickard:  bass dulcian
Rachael Beesley:  baroque violin
Lizzie Pogson:  baroque violin
Victoria Watts:  viola da gamba
Laura Vaughan:  viola da gamba
Rosemary Hodgson:  vihuela, guitar, lute & theorbo
Linda Kent:  chamber organ & harpsichord
Christine Baker:  percussion
Denis Close:  percussion”

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Added on: Oct 10, 2011 | Hits: 245

“Cançonièr is a Bay Area-based early music group devoted to medieval repertoire from the 12th to the 15th centuries, and some traditional music from related regions (Scandinavia, the Balkans, and the Middle East).

Created in the summer of 2008 by multi-instrumentalist Tim Rayborn and recorder virtuoso Annette Bauer, the group appears both as a duo, and in an expanded form, featuring the talents of Bay Area favorite Shira Kammen on bowed strings, and the beautiful voice of Phoebe Jevtovic.

In a short time, the group has gained the attention of the early music community, and received acclaim for its musicianship, unusual and exciting concert programs, and its debut CD.  … “

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Added on: Feb 07, 2011 | Hits: 245

"TRIO GOYA play Classical chamber music on period instruments. Formed out of a collective fascination with the new colours and narratives that these instruments suggest, the group concentrates its repertoire on the trios by Haydn and Mozart and the Beethoven opus 1 set. A fortepiano by Paul McNulty after Anton Walter, Vienna 1795 is the centrepiece of this music and a later instrument can be supplied for Beethoven from opus 70 (including the "Archduke Trio") and Schubert. Programmes can also include the three fine trios by Mozart's friend, the English stage composer Stephen Storace, Mozart's two dramatic fortepiano quartets and solo works for each of the three instruments by the aforementioned composers as well as their lesser known contemporaries. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 12, 2008 | Hits: 244

“alla polacca was founded by three music graduates who came together at the Cologne Conservatory. Here they continued to develop their expertise in historic performance-practice, especially in the realm of chamber music and honed their skills under the direction of such distinguished artists as Konrad Junghänel, Barbara Schlick, and Kai Wessel.

The basic group is formed by Iwona Lesniowska-Lubowicz (soprano), Paulina Kilarska (harpsichord, organ) and Stanislaw Gojny (theorbo, lute, baroque guitar) of whom all can draw upon year-long experience in collaborating professionally with leading specialists in the field, in and outside of Germany.“

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Added on: May 09, 2009 | Hits: 244

“Founded in 2001 by tenor Benoit Haller, Chapelle Rhénane is a group of singers and instrumental soloists. The team is dedicated to the great works of European vocal repertoire. Its ambition is, through concerts and discs, to reveal the emotion, humanity and modernity of its music that could attract a broad contemporary audience.”

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Added on: Apr 24, 2011 | Hits: 244

“The Sydney Consort is one of Australia’s most energetic music ensembles devoted to early music of the 17th and 18th Century. Originally consisting of three members the group brings together Australia’s finest musicians and singers to a small chamber orchestra of up to fifteen performers. Formed in 1997 and led by artistic directors Monika and Stan Kornel, the Sydney Consort is an ensemble dedicated to bringing beauty and wisdom of Baroque music to a rapidly growing audience. The ensemble has performed music ranging from the 16th to 18th Century, as well as contemporary Australian music, and with concert themes such as English, French, German and Italian Baroque, Music and Poetry, and the Johann Sebastian Bach concertos.”

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Added on: Jan 15, 2012 | Hits: 244

“Taking its name to the hero of the Astrée of Honoré d'Urfé, Ensemble Celadon was founded in 1999 on the initiative of tenor Paulin Bündgen to explore the repertoire for the alto voice.

Based in Lyon, Celadon is made up of musicians specializing in music performance called "old" Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque, …“

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Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 244

“Founded in 1997 in Toulouse, the chamber choir elements, led by its founder Joel Suhubiette. The choir performs regularly on the French stages and has also been invited to Canada, the United States, Lebanon, Egypt, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Great Britain, Switzerland and the Netherlands .  ” (transl.)

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Tags: Catherine Kauffmann-Saint-Martin

Added on: Oct 10, 2011 | Hits: 243

“Ironwood is an Australian-based ensemble, committed to exploring music of the baroque, classical and romantic periods on early string and keyboard instruments. The members are some of Australia’s most respected early and contemporary chamber musicians. The ensemble was established in 2006 as a flexible group of players, drawing on a wealth of experience from across the globe. Ironwood believe that historically informed performance should be complemented with new material and has an active commissioning program for music on early instruments. The group performs widely and has produced recordings for ABC Classics and Vexations840. Ironwood are 2007 - 2010 Artists in Residence at the Bundanon Trust, NSW, and also run a Developing Artist program in Victoria and NSW.”

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Added on: Mar 01, 2012 | Hits: 240