EarlyMusicNews.Org

"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.

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Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 474

"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. "

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Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 473

"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: 470

"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: 469

"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

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

Added on: May 25, 2008 | Hits: 466

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. "

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Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 465

"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

"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

"The Baroque ensemble Les grâces formed in the spring of 2008 in order to explore seventeenth- and eighteenth-century music. The ensemble’s performances are equally inspired by the four young performers’ passionate musicianship, as well as their collective study of historical performance practices at leading conservatories in Europe and the US. The name Les grâces stems from a long literary and artistic tradition. The number of graces varies in different depictions, but there were usually three. Daughters of Zeus and Hera, they were representations of brightness (Aglaia), joyfulness (Euphrosyne), and bloom (Thalia). Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century artists frequently depicted them as nude females, united by a sash, representing harmony. Taken as general symbols of love, beauty, and fertility, they are often accompanied by Cupid or Mercury, their male counterparts. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 15, 2008 | Hits: 457

"Maria Sangers, Recorders; Dawn Johnston, Lute, Theorbo, Guitar

Aurora provides small scale music-making of a particularly intimate kind. Employing a wide range of recorders and plucked string instruments, the performers recreate the sound world of a renaissance chamber.

Aurora's programme style and content makes them particularly suitable for smaller, historic, or candlelit venues, and they have been heard to fine effect in various National Trust properties.

Aurora is also available to provide stylish and atmospheric music to enhance events such as weddings or receptions. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 455

“ The Early Music Association of NSW (EMA) was founded in 1977.

Its members comprise professional and amateur musicians, instrument makers, teachers, students and concert-goers.

The EMA aims to promote interest in all forms of Western music composed before the nineteenth century through two primary means. It encourages the study and performance of early music using authentic instruments, principles and interpretation. It also promotes research into and the editing of early music.“

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Added on: Apr 18, 2009 | Hits: 455

"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

"La Suave Melodia was formed in 1998 to investigate more fully the trio sonatas of Dietrich Buxtehude and the Pieces de Clavecin of Jean-Philippe Rameau. They met with immediate success as prize-winners in the 1998 Van Wassenaer Concour for Early Music and have formed a unity of spirit and style that inspires and exhilarates audiences, bringing passion and a remarkable artistry to its performances.

La Suave Melodia brings together leading specialists in Early Music from the Netherlands; Rachael Beesley baroque violin, Cassandra Luckhardt viola da gamba & baroque cello, Regina Albanez theorbo & baroque guitar and Pieter Dirksen harpsichord & organ. Individually, the international musicians, from four different continents, are active performers and teachers in the early music arena and are dedicated to enriching the cultural and musical scene throughout the world as soloists in their own right. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 453

"Founder and artistic director, Lisette Kielson, presents L’Ensemble Portique as a rare ensemble in today’s chamber music genre. Its conception emerged from Lisette’s passion for playing Baroque and contemporary music on the recorder and flute. Its name was inspired by the sculpture “Portique” designed and crafted by her grandmother, internationally renowned artist Madeleine Stanley-Jossem. Two forms of steel interlaced with silver stand boldly apart, creating an opening, a gateway, yet both are connected to the solid base that supports and unites them. “Portique” is the visual representation of L’Ensemble Portique’s mission to explore the independence and interdependence of the distinct and separate musical worlds of early and contemporary music. Lisette’s vision of integrating the two provides the guiding force behind this unique ensemble. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 452

“Literally translated Il Concerto Barocco means "the baroque concert". This name was chosen as it bests describes what this ensemble is about. Il Concerto Barocco is an ensemble accommodating a wide range of instrumentations ranging from the trio to the full baroque orchestra. The basic principle of the ensemble's performances is that the music played is best served by the instrumentation and performance practices developed and used in the period that the music was conceived.

Founded in 2001 Il Concerto Barocco has become an established link in the Netherlands music scene. Il Concerto Barocco presents a number of concert series per year with concerts performed in their home concert venue, The Waterstaatskerk in Hengelo (The Netherlands) and various other venues throughout the Netherlands and Germany. “

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Added on: Apr 27, 2009 | Hits: 451

"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

"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

“The chamber ensemble Nordic Affect was formed in 2005 to promote music of the 17th and 18th centuries and the performance of contemporary music. Its members are all specialists in historical performance and have appeared throughout Europe with various well-known ensembles. The musicians share a passion for viewing familiar musical forms from a different perspective as well as venturing into new terrain. Their performances in Iceland and on the Continent have ranged from the dance music of the 17th century to the exciting electronic compositions of today and have been received with great critical acclaim. Nordic Affect has performed for the Icelandic Broadcasting Service and the European Broadcasting Service. Their first CD, which consists of Apocrypha, a composition by Hugi Guðmundsson was nominated for an Icelandic Music Award and received the Kraumur Award.

The artistic director is Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir“

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Added on: Jul 21, 2011 | Hits: 448

"Parthenia is a dynamic quartet of viols dedicated to performing the rich and abundant repertoire for viola da gamba from the 16th to 21st centuries. We present an annual series of concerts in Manhattan, where we collaborate with esteemed guest artists in engaging and surprising programs; we commission and premier new works for viols; we work to increase awareness of the viol's cultural heritage by touring to historical venues throughout New York City and to prestigious venues around the country. Parthenia is committed to creating more consort-playing opportunities, both professional and amateur, throughout America."

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Added on: Aug 05, 2008 | Hits: 446

“RICERCAR CONSORT – PHILIPPE PIERLOT

« Aux paroles exprimées dans le chant, la musique apporte son pouvoir sur les passions humaines, sa vertu purificatrice et sa transcendance » (Cantagrel)

In 1985, the Ricercar Consort made their first tour with  J.S. Bach’s« Musicalisches Opfer », and is rapidly internationally known  for it’s interpretation of cantatas and instrumental music of the German Baroque ; numerous concerts are given with famous artists like Henri Ledroit, Max van Egmond and James Bowman.
  
For the last few years,Philippe Pierlot has been directing the ensemble, alterning chamber music and orchestral productions ,where eventually the viola da gamba has an important place.

Their recordings encounter enthousiastic reactions both by the public or international press : “De Aeternitate” with the counter-tenor Carlos Mena received the “Diapason of the Year 2002” award and started a fructuous collaboration between Ricercar Consort and the label Mirare directed by René Martin in France. Fantazias for the viols, Stabat Mater by Vivaldi  and Pergolesi, or  “Valoroso”, italian chamber music by Bertali, Bach cantatas recordings,  and recently Bach’s Magnificat  (Gramophones’ Editor Choice): with never ending passion the ensemble brings these works to the audiences of  the most important ancient music festivals of the world with extreme professionalism.

“Vielleicht wird so ja im Himmel musiziert...der Vorschein einer besseren Welt“
Die Zeit 2009“

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Added on: Apr 22, 2009 | Hits: 446