EarlyMusicNews.Org

“In the Middle Ages, the paladins were knights, who roamed in search of adventure.

In 1760, Rameau composed Les Paladins, considered as the ultimate masterpiece of the French Baroque genre, characterised by fantasy and imagination.

Taking their name from a work by one of the greatest composers of the French Baroque period, Les Paladins explore the neglected repertoires as well as the greatest works of the Baroque musical period. The ensemble is associated with the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles where they gave performances of previously unperformed works such as Iphigénie en Tauride by Desmarets or The Elements by Destouches. They are also regularly invited at the Ambronay Festival, where they performed Histoires Sacrées by Carissimi, Serpentes in Deserto by Hasse, at the Jean de la Fontaine festival where they sang Actéon by Charpentier and The Bourgeois Gentilhomme by Lully and at Musiques d'Automne in St Genest Lerpt. They also participate in the Semaines Musicales de Quimper where they performed Dido and Aeneas and the Ode to Santa Cecilia by Purcell. ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 27, 2009 | Hits: 302

"The music ensemble instrumental and vocal Les Talens Lyriques was established in 1991. By choosing this title, subtitle of a Rameau opera (Festivities Hebe, 1739), Christophe Rousset demonstrates his appeal for the repertoire of the eighteenth century.

The repertoire of Les Talens Lyriques extends from Monteverdi (The Coronation of Poppea) to Handel (Scipione, Riccardo Primo, Rinaldo, Admeto, Giulio Cesare, Serse, Tamerlano, Alcina), Lully (Perseus, Roland), Cimarosa (Il Mercato di Malmantile, Il Matrimonio Segreto), Traetta (Antigona, Ippolito ed Aricia), Jommelli (Armida abbandonata), Martin y Soler (La Capricciosa Corretta) and Mozart (Mitridate, Re di Ponto, Die Entführung aus dem Serail). ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 16, 2008 | Hits: 328

“The ensemble “Les Timbres” sprung out of musical and human common understanding, and was created by three young musicians from varied backgrounds :

 Japanese violinist Yoko Kawakubo, fourth Prize in the International Competition of Baroque Violin of Rovereto in Italy (2007), a graduate of the University of Fine Arts of Tokyo - Japan - and from Odile Edouard's class at the National Conservatory of Lyon - France - (Master and DNSPM Très Bien à l’Unanimité avec les Félicitations du Jury);

French viola da gamba player Myriam Rignol who graduated from the National Conservatory of Lyon - France - (Marianne Muller's class) and the Musikhochschule of Köln - Germany - (Rainer Zipperling's class), and won the second Prize at the International Viola da Gamba Competition "Bach-Abel" (Köthen, Germany, 2009); the first Prize at the Yamanashi International Early Music Competition (Kôfu, Japan, 2010); as well as, the Second Prize and “Prix du Public” at the “Concours de Bruges” of 2011

Belgian harpsichordist Julien Wolfs, first Laureate of the International Competition of Harpsichord of Bruges -Belgium - in 2007 (Second Place ex-æquo and Public Audience Prize), who studied at the Upper Conservatory of Amsterdam - Netherlands - in Menno Van Delft's class and at the IMEP of Namur - Belgium - , where he was gained the highest honours for his Master of Music and his Master of Pedagogy.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 234

Discography

• Kapsberger: La Villanella (2001)
• Stefano Landi: Homo fugi velut umbra... (2002)
• La Tarantella: Antidotum Tarantulae (2002)
• All'Improvviso (2004)
• Cavalieri: Rappresentatione di Anima, et di Corpo (2004)
• Los Impossibles
• Monteverdi - Teatro d'Amore (2009)
• Via Crucis (2010)
• Monteverdi - Vespro della Beata Vergine (2011)
• Los Pajaros Perdidos (2012)

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 395

“Musica-Humana Ensemble was formed in 2006.  It is devoted to the interpretation of music from the 14th to the 17th century with the aim of exploring areas of the repertoire that have until now mostly been ignored.   Beginning with academic research, Musica-Humana presents innovative programs and instrument combinations.  By adapting and recreating repertoires from often fragmentary source.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 19, 2010 | Hits: 367

"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

“XVIII-21 Le Baroque Nomade is a Baroque music ensemble, its adventure sometimes leading it to contrast this repertoire of the 17 th and 18 th centuries with other types of music that crossed it, thanks to the globe-trotting musicians who travelled the world in an era when voyages led to hybrid cultures...

XVIII-21 aims at finding other kinds of music :  music that is exotic or different ; music that is listened to in other ways, by other kinds of people. This pursuit sometimes involves violence, restrictions or confrontation. But it also makes way for an encounter, a fundamental, liberating passion. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 25, 2011 | Hits: 201

"The Croatian Baroque Ensemble is the most prominent Croatian ensemble specialized for historically authentic interpretations of instrumental and vocal and instrumental music from the baroque and similar periods, performed on original instruments and their quality replicas.

The ensemble was founded in 1999 and consists of esteemed musicians from the younger generation - both instrumentalists and vocalists, who are already renowned in performing baroque music.

Along with a continuous concert series consisting of seven concerts at the Croatian Music Institute with clear thematic programs that include Croatian and foreign baroque music, they are regular guests at numerous national and international festivals (Varaždin Baroque Evenings, Zagreb Baroque Festival, Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Split Summer Festival, St. Donat’s Festival in Zadar, Histria Festival, Croatian Passionic Heritage, Organum Histriae, Concerts at the Eufrazijana, Rovinj Summer Festival, Brod Summer Festival, Osijek Summer Festival, Summer Festival on Pag, Festival Brežice, Festival of Croatian Music in Vienna, Festival of Central European Countries in Rome, Festival Tesori musicali Toscani in Pisa, etc.) ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 395

"Ensemble "Responsorium" is closely specialised in the performance of vocal and instrumental pieces of the 16th and early 17th century. Special prominence is given to the revitalisation of Croatian baroque musical literature. The ensemble follows the principle of authentic and historically informed interpretation of early music. It has so far carried out numerous successful projects performing at the most prominent festivals: Donaufestwochen, Austria; Musical Evenings in St. Donat; Concerts in Basilica Euphrasiana; Musical evenings in Lubenice ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 322

“The Hungarian early music group Affetti Musicali, founded by the Hungarian musicologist János Malina in 1984, specialises in the historic performance of 17th- and 18th-century (and, in a few cases, later) vocal chamber music, both sacred and secular. Cantatas, duets, solo motets etc. alternate in their programs with contemporary sonatas and trio sonatas. The repertoire of the ensemble is extremely rich and exciting: they often unearth and perform virtually unknown masterpieces of great composers from Carissimi to Hasse. Their creed is that the music of past centuries, once revived and given proper performance, will become organic part of our modern culture. Affetti Musicali propagates this belief, live and through their records, across Europe.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 28, 2011 | Hits: 155

"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: 348

"Capella Savaria was founded in 1981 in Szombathely. (Savaria was the name of the town in the Roman times, hence the name). The ensemble plays Baroque and classical music relying on original documents of the given period. The basis of the ensemble is the strings and the harpsichord joined by winds when required. Their instruments either are original ones from the 18th century, or are genuine copies of the originals. The ensemble performs chamber music, orchestral pieces, operas and oratorios. Capella Savaria has made nearly 60 recordings since its foundation, five of which have won the "Record of the Year" prize. They have recorded with several labels including Hungaroton, Quintana, Harmonia Mundi, Dynamic, Naxos and Dorian Records. ... "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 29, 2008 | Hits: 377

"The Esterházy Ensemble, directed by Michael Brüssing has chosen its name from the famous Hungarian noble family. The group has, for several years now, specialized on the music for barytone (viola di bordone) and viola da gamba at the court of Esterházy - and its aim is, to make this little known facet of classical chamber music more acquainted to a broader public. Concerts at festivals (also the 'original sites' at Palace Esterházy in Fertőd, Hungary and Eisenstadt, Austria), radio and TV productions, CDs with CPO/SWR, Cavalli Records and Brillant Classics show the acceptance of these efforts. The complete recording of all works written by Joseph Haydn for the barytone was recorded within two years and published in February 2009. The musicians of the group all have a lot of experience with diverse period instrumental formations throughout Europe. ... "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 04, 2008 | Hits: 418

“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

"Bray Baroque is a group of musicians centred in Bray and devoted to promoting

* the appreciation of Classical Music with courses, conferences, recitals
* the authentic interpretation of Western Music, from the Middle Ages to the Romanticism
* the links between Ancient Music and Irish Folk Music

in the Republic of Ireland, with the main focus in County Wicklow and South Dublin. " Visit website for more information.

Added on: Jan 15, 2009 | Hits: 298

“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“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 21, 2011 | Hits: 448

“We are a string quartet that plays on original instruments and forms the core of an ensemble of varying combinations; like faces on dice, alea’s numbers can change.

In 2000, we decided to join paths in a wish to explore the chamber music repertory and performance practice of the Classical and Romantic periods.

The four of us each have extensive experience in the field of ancient music, which we play regularly as section leaders of various ensembles (Europa Galante, I Barocchisti, Accademia Bizantina, Les Talens Lyriques, Le Concert d`Astrée). For this reason we find ourselves sometimes taking on projects with Alea that stretch back to the 17^th Century or the first half of the 18^th Century, but our main interest lies in the music of later epochs.

It is our conviction that the study of source material – treatises and early editions – as well as the use of various types of historical instruments and bows, still provide new interpretive insights. This is the reason we share our experience with musicologists, luthiers and bowmakers who are driven by a similar passion.  …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 16, 2011 | Hits: 393

"Antonio Piricone (1977), is one of the most exciting Italian musician of the younger generation whose personal approach, both as a pianist and an exponent on historical keyboard instruments, is commanding increasing attention internationally. His interpretative skills, versatility, keen sense of style, technical agility and integrity to the score distinguish him both as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician.

After his initials studies in Catania, Antonio Piricone has mastered his musical education attending the piano and chamber music stages of Bruno Canino, Chantal de Buchy, Andrzej Jasinsky, and most recently with Andreas Staier on historical keyboard instruments.

His achievements has lead him to performing through Europe and Japan with leading orchestras and ensembles, singers, soloists and conductors. Hes has appeared at major venues and in renowned music festivals and concert series to the great acclaim of critics and audiences alike. These include Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna, Prague Spring International Music Festival, Dvořak Hall in Prague, Prinzregentetheater in Munich, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, De Vereeniging Concertgebouw Nijmegen & Vredenburg Muziek Centrum Utrecht in Holland, Offerta Musicale Ensemble, Munich Symphony Orchestra, Aargau Symphony Orchestra, Czech Chamber Philharmonic, to name but a few. ...

Antonio works currently in the Netherlands where he focuses on his research on the development and evolution of historical keyboard instruments and performance practice with Jacques Ogg, Patrick Ayrton, Stanley Hoogland and Bart van Oort at the Royal Conservatory on The Hague (NL), and with Andreas Staier in Cologne (D). " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 386

"The name of Accademia Bizantina has been firmly established in the narrow circle of ensembles performing on authentic instruments who are rightly recognised as bringing fresh energy and creativity to the interpretation of Baroque music. The path which has led Accademia to its current international success resembles an apologue of over twenty years of instructive formation within the Italian musical world of the highest professional skill and competence. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 410

"The Accademia Strumentale Italiana was born in Verona in 1981 with the intent to recreate the atmosphere of ancient and illustrious academies. The repertoire is the vocal and instrumental music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. " (transl. (ed.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 384

“Guido Morini and Marco Beasley founded Accordone in 1984, motivated by a great passion for the music before Bach, for original instruments and for a new musicological approach to problems of interpretation. At the heart of their work is Italian music for voice and basso continuo from the 16th and 17th centuries. The voice of Marco Beasley, immediately recognizable for its beautiful timbre, in perfect stylistic balance with the instruments which accompany him, is the ideal companion for the profound knowledge of instrumental, improvisational and compositional questions cultivated by Guido Morini, and make Accordone a unique ensemble on the European scene.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Oct 14, 2011 | Hits: 280

"Anima Mundi Consort, formed in 2003, groups various performers with extensive experience in the field of Period Music. The ensemble performs using solely original instruments from the chosen period and collaborates with renowned experts in the fields of research and interpretation of Ancient Music and also in the reconstruction of period instruments. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 320

"Antica Consonanza is an ensemble formed in 1987 by musicians with decades of experience in the field of Renaissance and Baroque music, focusing on musical production of the Middle Ages.

The instruments were largely designed and reconstructed in collaboration with the maker Pasquale Scala (Praiano, SA) on the basis of iconographic sources. In some cases are used medieval instruments still in use in the Mediterranean music. ... " (translated ed.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 317

"Antikantus, ... the project is to build a repertoire of music medieval Sicilian or having reference to Sicily or the Mediterranean world, investigating the musical traditions of Spain, Provence, North Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East. ... " (Google translation) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 18, 2008 | Hits: 320

"The Apulia Baroque Ensemble, founded by John Rota and Antonio De Crudis, was created in 2005 by the necessity of musicians who share the same interests to create stable training ground dedicated to the study and implementation of passages from the Baroque repertoire, with particular attention to the School Neapolitan composers. ... " (Google translation) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 25, 2008 | Hits: 329