EarlyMusicNews.Org

"The Windermere String Quartet was formed in the spring of 2005 to perform the music of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and their contemporaries on period instruments. The Quartet is rapidly gathering notice for its dynamic performances and distinctive sound. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 339

"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

"Founded by Artistic Director and Conductor Daniel Taylor, the Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music (TEM) are sought-after interpreters of magnificent yet neglected choral and instrumental repertoire from four centuries. Their appearances include stunning a cappella programmes, with practices and aesthetics of former ages informing thought-provoking, passionate and committed reconstructions of music for historical events and major works from the oratorio tradition.

With Daniel Taylor, the Choir and Orchestra of the TEM are new visitors to the world's most renowned concert halls and festivals and are building an exciting discography in partnership with Sony Classical Masterworks. …"

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 538

“Tempest is Halifax's innovative Baroque music ensemble on period instruments led by internationally acclaimed violinist David Greenberg. Other members of the group include Symphony Nova Scotia musicians Kirsty Money (vln/vla), Karen Langille (vln), Celeste Jankowski (vln/vla), Hilary Brown (cello), and Max Kasper (double bass).

Since its creation in January 2001, Tempest has presented numerous concerts and has recorded for CBC radio and television. Tempest has collaborated with artists such as Chris Norman (flute, director of The Chris Norman Ensemble, and the Boxwood Festival, Lunenburg), Francis Colpron (recorder, director of Les Boréades, Montreal), David McGuinness (keyboards, director of Concerto Caledonia, Glasgow), Matthew Wadworth (lute, Montreal), as well as Nova Scotia's own Scott Macmillan (guitar). Tempest has been the orchestra-in-residence at the Boxwood Festival since 2006.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 120

“The STUDIO DE MUSIQUE ANCIENNE DE MONTRÉAL is dedicated to performing and promoting musical works written prior to 1750, with the intention of recreating and reintroducing this forgotten music, taking great care to maintain its authenticity. With its professional vocal ensemble, it premieres and presents concerts, and produces audiovisual recordings in Canada and abroad. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 119

“Spiritus Ensemble is a vocal and instrumental ensemble based in Kitchener-Waterloo, dedicated to the performance of great religious music, especially the cantatas Johann Sebastian Bach.”

Note: this link leads to this group’s Facebook site and is only accessible is you have a Facebook account. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 15, 2011 | Hits: 315

"Sine Nomine (founded in 1991) performs the vocal and instrumental music of Europe transmitted in manuscripts from the tenth to the fifteenth century (or earlier, when it can be reasonably recovered). Concerts are structured around the music of a particular country, period, genre, or are thematically organized to allow for both depth of preparation and coherence in presentation. As historically-informed performance is best when evanescent sound is buoyed by learning worn lightly, so Sine Nomine strives to create a performance atmosphere both relaxed and informal, gently removing the barriers between audience and performer so often found in classical music." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 518

" Sampling from a broad range of genres, Scaramella features Canada's finest early music specialists, showcased in energetic and accessible chamber music programs. Scaramella combines the unique and subtle timbres inherent to period instruments with the excitement and anticipation of performing new, or little-known works. Each program reveals some unexpected elements through choice of repertoire, by juxtaposing music with art and literature, or simply via the manner in which the presentation is staged. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 387

"Réjouissance was founded in 1995 by Halifax musicians Karen Langille and Ivor Rothwell, both long time members of Symphony Nova Scotia. The ensemble specializes in the performance of 17th and 18th century music on period instruments, in historically informed style.

The name “Réjouissance,” used by 18th century composers as a title for certain especially delightful pieces, means rejoicing or merrymaking, sensibilities the ensemble strives to instill in their performances. Often, the musicians perform in 18th century costume and by candle light.

Réjouissance draws most of its repertoire from the vast collections of European instrumental music; from early 17th century Italian composers such as Uccellini and Fontana , to great 18th century German masters like Bach, Handel and Telemann. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 357

“Masques is a Montreal-based early music ensemble founded in 1998, performing vocal and instrumental music of the 16th and 17th centuries. The name of the ensemble is inspired by the masques of Elizabethan England - mystical performances that fused poetry, music, dance and drama.

The ensemble has become a meeting point for Canada's young musicians. Masques also collaborates regularly with up and coming European talents, thereby maintaining close ties with musicians of diverse backgrounds.

All of the musicians of Masques have enviable concert experience and regularly perform as soloists and chamber musicians throughout Canada, the United States and Europe with such ensembles as Capriccio, Stravagante, Tafelmusik, La Petitie Bande and Les Voix Humaines. While maintaining a core ensemble, Masques varies in size according to the demands of each project it presents. ...“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 18, 2007 | Hits: 633

" The MadriGALS are an enchanting a cappella trio who sing the music of the Renaissance with beauty, elegance-and an irrepressible sense of fun. Three very different women, the GALS bring an eclectic range of vocal backgrounds to their ensemble, including opera, folk, jazz and musical theatre. But the unity in this diversity is their common background in theatre, which leads them to approach Renaissance music from the point of view of its stories and history, for the human richness embedded in the music. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 344

"Les Voix Baroques is a professional chamber ensemble dedicated to historically informed performances and recordings of unexplored 17th and 18th century repertoire for voices and instruments. Founded in 1999, the group has a regular concert series of baroque vocal and instrumental programs. The ensemble regularly invites both young singers and world-renowned guest artists and singers to perform with them. Les Voix Baroques has been the ensemble in residence at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal since January 1999. In January 2004 Les Voix Baroques was awarded the 2004 Cannes International Classical Award for their 2003 release Elegeia, produced by Analekta. In March 2004 the group, fronted by Canadian soprano Shannon Mercer, participated in Prarie Debut that saw them perform in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Les Voix Baroques has toured in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, has performed at The Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, The Ponticello Music Series, the West Brome Concert Series, CBC McGill, CBC o­nStage, and Le Festival de l’Art Vocal" ...

Added on: Jul 06, 2005 | Hits: 781

" Since 2002 La Favoritte early music has specialized in Baroque music on period instruments The ensemble also enjoys stretching the bounds of repertoire to include Medieval, Renaissance and contemporary works in performance. Since its inception as a trio, La Fav has grown to a larger ensemble frequently performing as a full-sized baroque orchestra including winds, brass, and tympani.

Our name, La Favoritte, from an 18th century piece for viola da gamba (by the French composer, Charles Dollé) is partly French - partly Italian, reflecting both the current musical fashion of the day, Les goût réunis (the unified style), and the ensemble's musical interests. Our special focus is the music of women composers, and the musical traditions of early Canada; great artists from ages past including Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, Barbara Strozzi, as well as the Augustine and Ursuline Nuns of New France. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 390

"Shunning the traditional concert-going experience, I FURIOSI Baroque Ensemble is revolutionising the face of Canadian early music. This group of four inspired and informed musicians performs programmes of music rarely heard on stage with an unparalleled and unusual fervour and sex-appeal. Having studied at institutions including University of Indiana at Bloomington, University of Toronto, McGill University, International Baroque Institute at Longy and The Banff Centre, these daring musicians bring their skill and expertise to new audiences, and are the edgy new voice in the early music world. The configuration of string trio and soprano allows a wide range of repertoire to be performed. I FURIOSI performs in Canada, the United States and abroad, and plans to expand to other venues in the coming years. In its Toronto concert series, the ensemble invokes the “bizarre and unnatural” aesthetic of the Baroque era, both cherished and despised in its time."

Added on: Apr 15, 2007 | Hits: 425

"Over a 25-year history, the Exultate Chamber Singers have garnered praise from all quarters for sensitive, precise and seamless performances. The choir was established in 1981, when conductor John Tuttle brought together a group of graduating university students who wanted to continue performing choral music at a high standard. The choir is enriched not only by the excellent musicianship of its members but also by their varied academic and professional backgrounds. Together, they form a passionate, committed ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire." ...

Added on: Feb 03, 2007 | Hits: 766

“Young early musical ensemble devoted to the repertoire of the  XII-XIVth centuries. The group is interested in reliving the multiple aspects of the repertoire of the day from the motet to vernacular song.

Some of the instruments used by the ensemble were constructed by Bruno Cognyl-Fournier, Robert Gagnon et Micheline Racicot.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 23, 2010 | Hits: 364

“Recordare consists of four inspired musicians who began playing together in 2010.

Under the guidance of McGill University’s world-renowned Early Music department, they discovered a wonderful rapport with one another and common approach to expression. Always looking for diverse sonorities and textures, Recordare has explored and performed a wide variety of styles and composers. Though they have focused on Italian music of the seventeenth century, the ensemble recently found an affinity with the music of Giuseppe Sammartini. Committed to a performance more thrilling than the printed page leads us to believe, the ensemble strives to reflect the “science, originality and fire” that Charles Burney found so striking in these works.

With their proposal of recording Sammartini’s chamber music, Recordare has been named one of the six finalist groups of the Early Music America/Naxos 2011 Recording Competition. The ensemble was also awarded 2nd place in the 2011 Festival de Musique Classique de Pierre-De Saurel chamber music competition.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jan 21, 2012 | Hits: 225

"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: 452

"Based in Montreal, Ensemble Caprice, under the artistic direction of Matthias Maute and Sophie Larivière, is renowned for its innovative interpretations of baroque music. Originally formed in Germany in 1986, the ensemble continues to give concerts in Europe and has appeared at the Vlaanderen Festival in Bruges, Belgium, the Netwerk-Reihe of the Organisatie voor Oude Muziek in The Netherlands, the International Recorder Symposium in Stuttgart, the Recorder Festival in Stockstadt, and the Ancient Music Rencontres in Heidelberg. During 2005, the ensemble made its U.S. debut at the Boston Early Music Festival concert series and recently completed a successful tour of the West Coast and New England. The ensemble will tour Israel in the Fall of 2006 and plans are underway for a visit to Japan in 2007. Closer to home in Canada, the ensemble has its own concert series at Redpath Hall in Montreal and was recently nominated for the Conseil Québécois de la Musique's prestigious Prix Opus award in three different categories, including best early music concert and CD. A new recording featuring the music of Fux, Caldera and Badia will be released on the ATMA Classique label during 2006. " Visit website for more information. (ed)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 439

""If music be the food of love, sing on, sing on, 'till I am filled with joy!" -- This is the first line of a song by Henry Purcel inspired by Shakespeare. It is a good summation of our approach to music. Don't do it unless it feels good. In spite of, or probably because of this, we continue to perfect our musical capacities.

One problem with history is that it is often distant and foreign. Our approach to early music is to embody it with our manner and costumes, to give it a living, feeling, human face. When performing our music, we strive to encompass both its sublime beauty and its earthy humour; and all the other human experiences that come between. ...

The largest proportion of performances have been accompanied by sumptuous feasting and drinking. Our preferred venues are intimate country restaurants accommodating from thirty to fifty revelers where we provide music with each service (or "remove" as the Elizabeathans would say). Typically we sing between twenty-five and thirty songs at a feast of five or six courses. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 420

"Ensemble Anonymus was formed in Québec City in 1978 by a group of young professional performers under the leadership of Claude Bernatchez, the group’s founder and musical director. Their passionate interest in early music led them to attempt to recreate the musical traditions of medieval Europe. Today, the long list of their concerts and original shows, along with a series of high-quality recordings, testifies to their achievements and the level of artistic excellence they have attained. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2008 | Hits: 430

"Artistic Director , Julie Harris, returned to Calgary in 1999. Her experience as a performer (soprano) and connections to other performers across the country gave her the idea of starting a new series in her native city. Now entering its seventh season, the Early Music Voices Concert Society offers a varied and interesting line-up of performers who specialize in early music repertoire. Each year the series aims to present touring early music groups, while also being committed to presenting local and regional performers, and creating joint projects with visiting artists. In essence the series is dedicated to presenting music from Bach's time and before in a stylish, historically informed way. ..."

Added on: Aug 06, 2007 | Hits: 443

"The Early Music Studio of Saint John is a new venture providing local musicians - both amateur and professional - with educational and performance programs about the music of the 16th to 18th centuries, the period of the first exploration and settlement of our region from the first voyage of Jacques Cartier in 1534 to the arrival of the Loyalists in 1783. The Early Music Studio seeks through its performances to offer the community the opportunity to experience the "soundtrack" of our early history. The adventurous spirit and energy of the early explorers and settlers is reflected in this lively, colourful music, as the composers of the time charted new realms of musical expression to create works which still have the power to entertain and move us today.

In keeping with the historical focus of the music, the Early Music Studio takes the stage in a number of Saint John's landmark heritage buildings. These dramatic performance spaces provide a fitting, historic backdrop for the performances of the Early Music Studio. " ...

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 441

"Early Music Studio was formed in 1987. Since then we have performed in concerts on period instruments exclusively, and recorded over seven hours of music written between 1580-1985. Our recording program began in the mid-1980's and continues with new web-only material in August and October 2004, February and December 2005 and May 2006. " ...

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 374

"Constantinople is a performing ensemble that draws its inspiration from the music of the Mediterranean, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Middle-Eastern musical traditions. Constantinople presents a new form of musical expression, born of a wellspring of transformation and integration of divers traditions from the Middle Ages and today, from here and abroad.

The ensemble provides a forum for cross-fertilization among various musical cultures, both within the ensemble itself and with its guest artists. Constantinople endeavours to consolidate the ties among these cultures by cultivating a unique mode of musical expression -a musical vocabulary that has grown out of extensive research into the history and esthetics of the musical traditions into which it delves, combined with freshness and creativity.

Constantinople has given numerous performances in Canada, in Mexico and in Europe. Last two years, the ensemble has been performing in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Lebanon, Mexico and Canada among others. Many of these have been broadcast on the CBC/Radio-Canada radio network. Winners of the Discovery of the Year Award from Opus Gala in 2003, Constantinople have been the Ensemble in residence at Radio-Canada for the 2004-2005 season. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 424