EarlyMusicNews.Org

"I FAGIOLINI was founded in 1986 while the singers were students at Oxford University. In 1988 the group won the UK Early Music Network’s Young Artists’ Competition and has since released 14 CDs and 2 DVD. It gives about 50 concerts a year from the BBC Proms and major European festivals to further afield such as the Far East and both ends of Africa. Its unusual name has been misspelt, mispronounced and misunderstood throughout the world.

‘Like their concerts the disc is lively, imaginative, even anarchic... and a lot of fun.’ BBC Music Magazine

I Fagiolini’s core repertoire is Renaissance and contemporary solo-voice ensemble repertoire. In recent years it has pioneered innovative staged presentations with a project called The Theatre of Music, which brings classics of Renaissance secular music to life. This project has been a huge success with promoters and audiences. It recently released two DVDs on Chandos (Vecchi L'Amfiparnaso with Simon Callow) and Naxos ('The Full Monteverdi' - also broadcast around the world). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 405

"His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts is a group of virtuoso wind players who specialise in playing early music in authentic styles on original instruments. The noble sound of cornetts and sackbuts was among the most versatile instrumental colours available to composers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It was heard in many musical contexts: in consort or in alternation with voices in the extravagant liturgy of the great Italian and Spanish churches - above all the Basilica of St Mark's in Venice; in aristocratic entertainments such as the intermedii of northern Italy or the masques of Jacobean England; and in the ceremonial and devotional music for the courts and free cities of Lutheran Germany. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 323

"The Hilliard Ensemble is considered to be one of the world's finest vocal chamber groups, and is probably unrivalled for its formidable reputation in the fields of both early and new music. Its distinctive style and highly developed musicianship engage the listener as much in medieval and renaissance repertoire as in works specially written for the group by living composers. The ensemble's performing schedule is busy and varied, amounting to some hundred concerts a year. Its substantial following in Europe, particularly in Mediterranean and central European countries, is augmented by regular visits to Japan, the USA and Canada. The group’s reputation as an early music ensemble dates from the 1980s and its series of highly successful records for EMI (many of which are now re-released on Virgin), but from the start the group has paid equal attention to new music ..."

Added on: Apr 13, 2007 | Hits: 329

"The Haydn Lute Trio was formed in 2000 and has been delighting audiences since with its widely varied programmes featuring the 18th century lute and theorbo in ensemble. Following the critically acclaimed ‘Lute music for a Princess’ CD (for ASV Gaudeamus) the trio have regularly featured in arts festival, music society and educational programmes contrasting rarely heard early classical Lute trios by Haydn and his contemporaries with the great violin sonatas of Bach, Handel and Corelli, using the theorbo as continuo. The Trio also include French 18th century repertoire in their concerts, with the pièces de théorbe en partition taken from the 1716 publication of Louis 14th’s court theorbist, Robert de Visée. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 266

"Hautbois are a lively and talented duo that use music as a vehicle for historical entertainment.

They have worked for many years alongside English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces and National Trust and also appear at many other historical venues.

They have made many appearances performing for television, radio, and films, weddings, concerts and schools. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 633

"It’s not an ensemble of harps, but rather the combination of one early harp with singers, lutes, baroque guitars, viols, violins, early flutes, shawms, bagpipes and percussion: anything from a medieval trio to a baroque orchestra.

Our repertoire contrasts folk dances and the highest art music; medieval song, renaissance consorts and baroque operas. Rhythm, dance and improvisation are to the fore.

And, by the way, we don't just play dance-music. Guitarist Steven Player brings historical dance-steps to life with rhythmic footwork and improvised choreographies. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 314

"Like so many of the best things in life, the birth of Gothic Voices came about almost by accident. Back in 1980 Christopher Page was asked by the BBC to put together a programme of plainchant by the 12th century Abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Record producer Ted Perry tuned in to that broadcast and it so impressed him that he set up what was to become one of the best-selling recordings of pre-classical music ever made: A Feather on the Breath of God — Hymns and Sequences by Abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Since that time, Gothic Voices has recorded a further twenty CDs on the Hyperion label, three of which have won the coveted Gramophone Magazine Award. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 425

"Gaïta is a group based in Edinburgh dedicated to Medieval Music. They are performers of medieval music and early dance, produce books of medieval music, and design and build medieval instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 418

"The Gabrieli Consort & Players were founded by Paul McCreesh in 1982 and have just celebrated their 25th anniversary season. Initially recognised for their mould-breaking reconstructions of music for historical occasions, they have gone on to captivate audiences worldwide with their bold readings of the masterworks of the baroque and renaissance. They are regularly heard at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and the USA. In partnership with Martin Randall Music Management, they have pioneered new areas of 'cultural tourism' in creating festivals of music in historic centres, including Venice, Rome, Naples, Leipzig, and northern Spain. September 2007 saw the ensemble's largest residency to date as part of the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Wrocław, Poland, where Paul McCreesh became Artistic Director in 2006. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 433

"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: 554

"Since its formation in 1991, Florilegium has established a reputation for stylish and exciting interpretations of music from the baroque era to the early romantic revolution. Among the numerous Residencies Florilegium has held over the years was the coveted post of Ensemble in Residence at London’s Wigmore Hall, a position they enjoyed for three seasons from 1998 to 2000. During that time they performed several series of concerts each year and became actively involved in the Hall’s education work. Their last season as Ensemble in Residence featured a six-concert series marking the 250th anniversary of J.S.Bach’s death.

Concert engagements have taken Florilegium throughout Eastern and Western Europe and to North and South America, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Israel and Turkey. The group receives numerous invitations to perform at major international festivals each season and recent concert venues have included the Sydney Opera House, Frick Collection in New York, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, The Concertgebauw in Amsterdam, The Vienna Konzerthaus in Austria, Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Handelhaus in Halle, and Théâtre Grevin in Paris."

Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 384

“The dynamic ensemble, Fleuri, formed in 2002 after graduating from the Royal College of Music in London, where they were the winners of the Century Fund Prize for Early Music. Specialising in repertoire of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, they share a passion for the music of Handel's London and folk-inspired baroque music from around the British Isles and Eire. A distinctive feature of some of their performances is the wearing of sumptuous eighteenth century costume designed and made especially for the ensemble, adding to the visual spectacle and enriching the concert experience for audience and performers alike. …“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 190

“Flat Pavan is one of the most successful youth music groups in Britain. Based in Glasgow, Flat Pavan performs popular Traditional and Early Music (400 year old songs and dances which you can download and listen to from the website). The group have played in venues all over Britain and 8 Schools Proms. They were also one of only 6 performing groups from Britain invited to join 50 others at the 1994 Biennial ISME (international Society for Music Education) conference in Florida. The group have also played in Italy (including over an hour impromptu to the Pope). ..“ Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2009 | Hits: 299

“Fires of Love, the critically acclaimed early music quartet specialising in innovative programmes of Renaissance and early Baroque chamber music,  combining a stunning array of instruments with soprano and baritone voices. …

Fires of Love present music of the period 1500-1700 in an accessible and historically informed style. The music is colourful, dramatic and lively.  Informative programmes focus on lute and guitar songs, set amongst instrumental ensembles, solos, recent discoveries and the group’s own arrangements.   The repertoire spans the breadth of Europe; the unique voice of the Spanish renaissance, the royal courts of war torn 17th century France, the flowering of the Italian baroque and the golden age of Elizabethan lute song.  Instruments include lutes, archlute, theorbo, vihuela, baroque guitar, four-course guitar, recorders (from bass to garklein) and percussion.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Dec 28, 2011 | Hits: 231

“Enjoy a night of real historical culture and cuisine with Feast the Ancestors.  

Just sit back and enjoy the good food and entertainment that your forefathers knew.

Entertainment (and Catering) for Medieval Banquets, Saxon and Viking Meadhalls, Tudor Feasts, Napoleonic Parties and Roman Festivities!

Experienced historical performers provide music stories and songs for all manner of historical events at venues all over the country.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 315

"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: 452

"Leading players of European orchestras such as the English Concert, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, the Orchestra of Age of Enlightenment and Il Giardino Armonico have pledged time to work in this unique and remarkable international formation. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 362

" The formation of the Etesian Ensemble in 1999 brought together five musicians committed to performing the great wealth of chamber music from the classical and romantic periods for fortepiano, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon. Performances of this exciting repertoire are rarely heard on today's concert platform, therefore the Etesian Ensemble set out to bring their vibrant, explorative interpretation of such works to a wider audience.

In concert, the ensemble presents established classics such as the exquisite Mozart Quintet for Fortepiano and Winds, which Mozart himself described as it as “the best thing I have ever composed in my life”, alongside lesser known and recently discovered works that deserve the attention of today’s audience.

All five members of the ensemble are active in the period performance world, working with established orchestras such as The Academy of Ancient Music, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Europa Galante, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, La Petite Bande, The Kings Consort and The Gabrieli Consort. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 309

“With so much to play, it’s hard to know where to begin.  But the truth is that we began ensembleF2 in the spring of 2009 with concerts up and down the country performing great works of Haydn and Mozart.  The focus of these performances was our two Wigmore Hall concerts in London.  Playing to delighted audiences ensembleF2 launched with large and small ensemble pieces from two giants of the music world.

We play music we love and want  to do that on the instruments which seem to suit the repertoire best.  It involves a lot of research, trying out, listening and reflecting but we think it’s worth it and makes our job so much more interesting.  Assembling and Ensembling with friends and deeply respected colleagues allows us to constantly learn from each other and we relish the journey ahead.

Our future programmes will present a groundbreaking approach to period performance using the research and knowledge gained in our individual fields and working to the highest musical standards in our power.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 178

"Ensemble Telemania takes its name from the German baroque composer, Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) and is a baroque chamber music ensemble specialising in the performance of 17th and 18th century repertoire on period instruments.

Concert appearances have included: Charlton House, Waltham Abbey Church, St. Hilda's College Oxford, The Town Church in St.Peter Port Guernsey, The Foundling Museum, Southwark Cathedral and the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. In May 2006, Ensemble Telemania won the Ella Kidney prize for Early Music at Trinity College of Music, London. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 289

“Since its formation in 2006, multi award-winning Ensemble Meridiana has established itself as one of Europe’s finest Baroque ensembles of it’s generation. The five members of Ensemble Meridiana come from four different countries and met during their studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland where they specialised in early music.

Added on: Nov 20, 2011 | Hits: 220

“Formed in 2011 to explore the virtuoso wind music from the 18th century, the Edinburgh based Ensemble Marsyas counts amongst its members some of the finest historical instrumentalists working in Europe today. Having first met whilst studying in Basel and performing with the European Union Baroque Orchestra, the core members of the ensemble went on to win first prize and audience prize at the 2007 Brugge International Competition playing the music of Zelenka. Each member has since established themselves at the forefront of the profession and individually they have been awarded accolades by both critics and the recording industry alike.

Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 108

“Emerald Baroque is a dynamic ensemble focusing on enchanting music inspired by Ireland. The group performs Celtic Baroque music led by Bridget Cunningham on the harpsichord with Laura Justice (recorders), Farran Scott (baroque violin), Jennifer Bullock (viol, baroque cello), Eleanor Harrison (baroque violin) and Breda McKinney (soprano) They have recently recorded 'Ireland's Enchantment', featuring early Irish tunes and new compositions and arrangements, in a modern approach performed on baroque instruments. Music includes folk songs, new pieces, harpsichord music, instrumental music as well as baroque music by composers such as O'Carolan and his contemporaries.

Emerald also commissions new works and are available for recording, film work, festivals, concerts and lecture recitals. Other programmes include 'Handel in Dublin' and previous concerts include Camden New Town Festival, Winchester Early Music Festival, Handel House Museum, Brighton Early Music Festival and the Workshops Series 2010.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 219

"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: 398

"Faye Newton and Hazel Brooks met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where they discovered a shared passion for medieval music and poetry. They subsequently worked together in the award-winning ensemble Concanentes and in the year 2000 they formed ‘duo Trobairitz’ to explore the courtly song repertoire of the troubadours and trouvères, which is especially appropriate to their combination of voice and vielle. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 400