EarlyMusicNews.Org

"The Chris Norman Ensemble brings to life the energetic traditional dance music of Maritime Canada, Scotland, & Ireland with an emphasis on exploring points of contact with the music's roots in 16th-19th century Europe. The Ensemble's programs combine originality, intelligence, fun, and sheer mastery that have won them respect from audiences, presenters, and colleagues alike in North America, Europe and Asia.

At the heart of the group is Chris Norman, who's brilliant and imaginative flute playing has contributed to groups as diverse as the The Baltimore Consort, Skyedance, Helicon, Chatham Baroque, Concerto Caledonia, as well as Hollywood soundtracks and seven solo recordings. His influential work as a performer, composer, recording artist, educator, and director of the Boxwood Festival & Workshop has played a significant role in reviving the flute in traditional Scottish and Canadian music.

The Ensemble's extraordinary range runs the gamut from dynamic performances headlining international folk festivals to programs for some of North America's most prestigious chamber and early music societies and universities. With flutes, pipes, guitar, mandolin, mandola, harmonium, bass, percussion, drums & vocals, the Ensemble reaches across five centuries of traditional, renaissance and baroque music with a range of energetic programs. Education and public service is at the core of the group's values, and they regularly incorporate workshops, school programs, and community outreach into their tours. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2008 | Hits: 400

"Founded by Francis Colpron in 1991, Les Boréades de Montréal focuses on early music. The ensemble has chosen an interpretative approach in keeping with the spirit of the Baroque era, by adhering to the rules of performance practice of the past and playing on period instruments. Critics and audiences alike in Canada and abroad have been unanimous in hailing the group’s energy and spontaneity as well as its theatrical, expressive and elegant playing, indicative of a unique flair for Baroque aesthetics. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 435

"Born in France, where he began his musical studies in violin and composition at the Conservatoire National de Region of Rueil Malmaison. From there he went on to specialize in Medieval and Renaissance music, studying medieval fiddle, ancient bagpipes, and voice. After studies with Marco Horvat, Jasmin Martorell and Lucie Jolivet at the Centre de Musique Medievale in Paris, he moved to Switzerland where he currently studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. He collaborates regularly with many musicians in various ensembles including Millenarium (Thierry Gomar and Christophe Deslignes), Leones (Marc Lewon), La Morra (Corina Marti, Michal Gondko), Les Jardins de Courtoisie (Anne Quentin) and Vox Suavis (Dominque Vellard and Ana. "

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Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 484

"Banquo plays (mostly) folk music and early music from (mostly) all over Europe, (mostly) from about the 12th century to present day.

We started out in the summer/fall of 1998, playing primarily Irish traditional music, and wanting to explore a fusion with early music. Since then, our vision has expanded dramatically to include basically, whatever we want. :) Part of the philosophy is that we refuse to be pigeonhole-able, which would tend to restrict us to a particular tradition or time period. And we're not willing to be so restricted. All this music is too interesting to leave behind just because it doesn't "fit" in some way. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 433

"Aradia is a period instrument ensemble specialising in the repertoire of seventeenth century France and England, and in contemporary music written for period instruments. Aradia is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Aradia has made eight recordings for Naxos Records, has toured internationally, and has a busy local concert season at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto."

Added on: Apr 13, 2007 | Hits: 513

“… ANIMA – musica mundana humana et instrumentalis is now nearing its twentieth anniversary. The group's concerts are the result of intensive research into performance based on the music of non-lettered communities located far from urban centers in Brazil, and the music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Europe. ANIMA constantly weaves dialog between ethnomusicology, historical musicology, and contemporary hermeneutics and theater, thus staging a musical story in which time is non- linear, with presentation and stage as ritualized space-time for musical realization in the full sense of the term. Europe's Middle Ages and Renaissance come together on the stage in the music of Brazil's non-urban oral tradition, with arrangements devised by the performers themselves, or proposed by members of the group and their guests. Their repertoire is structured and arranged on the basis of a central theme in a space-time-instrument intersection, using the language of chamber music to stage ongoing dialog between past and present, popular and classical culture.

The group has recorded the following CDs: Espiral do Tempo, winner of the 1997 Brazilian Popular Music Award in the category 'best instrumental CD', and the (1998) São Paulo Art Critics Association (APCA) award in the category 'best chamber-music ensemble'. In 1999, as part of the commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil, Anima recorded the CD Teatro do Descobrimento, conceived and directed by singer Anna Maria Kieffer. In 2000, Especiarias (CD) won the 5th Carlos Gomes Award for classical music (made by the State of São Paulo Secretariat for Culture) in the category 'best chamber-music ensemble'. Amares (CD) was sponsored by REDE electric company in 2003. Espelho (CD and DVD) was produced 2006 – 2008 and both were sponsored exclusively by PETROBRAS. …”

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Added on: Nov 28, 2011 | Hits: 225

“Solstice brings together, around its founder, some of the most dedicated and talented Belgian musicians in this repertoire. They have in common a taste for 'authentic' early music and a solid modern training. The resulting interpretations combine refinement, sense of detail and classicism with great vivacity and engagement. Let us allow the press to have their say - they speak of Solstice in the following terms: total commitment, beautiful to see and hear - a great gust of freshness - ample breath and lively contrasts - one must appreciate 'en gourmet' these subtle blends of sonorities - perfect cohesion - by turns imperative, tender or ironic, energetic or languashing.

Chamber music is a magical alchemy, in which the personalities of the musicians begin by searching for and confronting one another, in order to achieve a common expression and élan. The task of director Isabelle Lamfalussy is to gather together the musicans, the composers and their music, but the music making is collective, and the final interpretation is created by each member of Solstice.“

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Added on: Apr 22, 2009 | Hits: 392

“Scherzi Musicali is one of the notable young ensembles in the world of early music. It was founded and is directed by Nicolas Achten, one of the few classical singers accompanied by himself (on lute, harp, harpsichord), reviving this old practice. A “moveable feast”, Scherzi Musicali brings together young singers and instrumentalists like Nicolas, willing to rethink the approach to early music and seeking to serve it with a more genuine concern for musicological relevance. If getting down mainly to rehear a heritage left behind, they do not forsake the key works of the repertoire, both secular music, sacred or opera.

Since 2006, Scherzi Musicali has performed in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and England: Festival van Vlaanderen, De Bijloke (eg. a "Featuring concert" with Emma Kirkby), Concertgebouw Brugge, De Singel, Bozar, Festival Wallonia, The Automne Musical de Spa, Operadagen Rotterdam, Amia Strasbourg, Festival Baroque de Pontoise, etc...

Scherzi Musicali dedicates its debut discography to unpublished works on CD. "l’Euridice" by Giulio Caccini (the first opera ever printed), and the album " Dulcis Amor Iesu " (motets of Giovanni Felice Sances), were published on the Ricercar label. Each of their records has generated genuine enthusiasm from the international press: Joker by Crescendo, The Key ResMusica, Prelude Classics Award 2009, 4-star World Music, 5 Diapason, Muse Golden Ring Classic Info, "Outstanding" in International Record Review...

In September 2011, the album "Petits Motets" will be released, dedicated to the Belgian composer Joseph-Hector Fiocco (Label Musique in Wallonie, collection “inédits”). They then inaugurate their collaboration with the Alpha label with "La Catena d’Adone" by Domenico Mazzocchi (the first Roman opera) to be published in Februari,2012.

Scherzi Musicali is supported by the French Community of Belgium (General Directorate for Culture, Department of Music) and the Commune of Ixelles.“

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Added on: Feb 03, 2012 | Hits: 207

“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

"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: 472

Le Concert bourgeois is an early music ensemble whose core is concentrated around a string trio supported by vocal soloists and choirs. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2009 | Hits: 398

“For over 20 years, this baroque ensemble has been a fixture in the world of early music. With a large dose of experience and class, the musicians of this ensemble, directed by Jan De Winne and Marcel Ponseele, have been able to steal many musical hearts. Depending on the repertoire Il Gardellino works in a different formation, but they always get on stage with a top casting: both established musicians and emerging young talent, from home and abroad.”

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Added on: Apr 22, 2009 | Hits: 423

The Huelgas Ensemble is a vocal and instrumental groupe specializing in medieval and renaissance music. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 14, 2008 | Hits: 622

"Ausonia is an ensemble of instrumentalists and singers, founded and directed by Frédérick Haas and Mira Glodeanu, committed to bringing to life the music of the 17th and 18th centuries by means of dedicated application of historical performance practices and a continuous searching for the expressive possibilities inherent in this music. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 530

"De Camer van Musiecke ("the music chamber") performs renaissance music, mainly from 16th century Italy, France, Spain, England and the Low Countries.

They draw on compositions by (among others) Jacob van Eyck, Orlando di Lasso, Jacques Arcadelt, Nicolas Gombert, Thomas Crequillon, Giovanni Bassano, Cipriano de Rore, Giovanni Battista Riccio, Giovanni Paolo Cima, Girolamo Frescobaldi and, of course, the inevitable, but most versatile and unseizable anonymous." See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 489

Early music ensemble. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 22, 2009 | Hits: 339

"The vocal and instrumental consort Capilla Flamenca takes its name from the choir of the court chapel of Emperor Charles V. When Charles left the Low Countries in 1517, he took his best musicians with him in order to accompany him as 'living polyphony' to Spain.

Today's Capilla Flamenca recruits its specialized musicians mainly from Flanders so as to bring to life again the unique timbre of this brilliant 15th-16th century music in its full authenticity. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 592

"Trio Grosso is an early music ensemble based in Perth, Western Australia. The group comprises up to nine members who enjoy playing for medieval fairs, banquets, weddings, parties, concerts and general good times.

The group was formed by an enthusiastic group of recorder players in late 1985 to provide appropriate music for a local play that had scenes set in the 1600s. The group's name derives from the fact that a much loved early addition to the repertoire was a recorder trio arrangement of the allegro from Handel's Concerto Grosso No. 1 in G which we usually had at least six people playing (thus a rather largish trio!).

The group's repertoire largely comprises medieval and renaissance songs and dances but also encompasses folk music from many cultures and a range of modern compositions. Although the nucleus of the group is a recorder consort ranging from great bass recorder up to the tiny garklein floetlein recorder, the group also performs with a range of wind, string and percussion instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 08, 2008 | Hits: 423

"Formed in Sydney to explore and perform music composed for three female voices in the late renaissance and baroque periods, the group is named after Monteverdi's seductive and ambitious heroine Poppea (pronounced pop-pay-yah) from his opera "The Coronation Of Poppea". We believe the name encapsulates the essence of the group: performance of baroque repertoire, exploration of music by rarely performed composers, especially female composers, and our Australian origin, in playing on the expression "tall poppy syndrome". In researching our music, we learned of the "Singing Ladies of Ferrara" who were famous in the late 16th Century for their charm and virtuosic singing. As the first truly professional singers in an Italian court, they were trail blazers. Many composers of the time, of whom Luzzaschi was one, wrote music for these influential and talented singers. Whilst not quite the Andrews Sisters, the close knit harmonies and intertwining of the vocal lines makes for rapturous listening. Audiences have described our singing and the music we perform as 'luscious", "inspirational" and "music for the soul" and it is thrilling for us to continue its legacy into the 21st century. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 510

"The Telemann Ensemble, based in Townsville, North Queensland, specialises in performing music of the baroque (with occasional excursions into earlier and slightly later music) with awareness of, and respect for, the instruments and performance traditions of the period. The ensemble was formed early in 1999 and has presented concerts and led workshops in Townsville, Atherton, Innisfail, Cairns and Brisbane.“

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Added on: Apr 18, 2009 | Hits: 380

“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

"Salut! baroque is one of Australia's most dynamic early music ensembles, bringing together Australia's finest baroque musicians in a chamber orchestra of up to twelve members. Formed in 1995 and led by artistic directors Sally Melhuish and Tim Blomfield, the ensemble performs annual subscription series concerts in Canberra and Sydney. Salut!'s international guest artists have included baroque violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch and Dutch cellist Jaap ter Linden." See site for more info. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 03, 2008 | Hits: 562

“Latitude 37, named after the latitudinal position which links Melbourne, Australia, to New Zealand, is an exciting baroque trio whose members Julia Fredersdorff (baroque violin), Laura Vaughan (viola da gamba) and Donald Nicolson (harpsichord) were drawn together by their passion for historically informed performance of 16th, 17th and 18th century music.

Comprising some of the top graduates of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, reunited after many years of extensive research and international experience playing with many of the finest ensembles and artists in Europe, America and Australasia, Latitude 37 represents a new generation of period instrumentalists who share a unified interest in cultivating and communicating their art.

Latitude 37 epitomises the intensity and intimacy of a trio: vitality, excitement and expression are a defining feature of their performance. Their spontaneity is inspired by a passion for the art of improvisation, communication, and the humanity of a genre of music intended to charm and enchant its audience.

After their sold-out Melbourne debut in June 2008,  the ensemble has become an active presence on the Australasian early music scene, with regular festival appearances, concerts at the Melbourne Recital Centre, tours for Chamber Music New Zealand and regular broadcasts on ABC Classic FM.   2011 saw the ensemble receive an ARIA nomination for their self-titled debut CD and return to New Zealand for a mainstage national tour for Chamber Music New Zealand.  2012 includes a 3-concert subscription series at the Melbourne Recital Centre as well as performances to accompany the Renaissance exhibition at the NGA, Canberra, and the Love and Devotion exhibition of Persian manuscripts at the Victorian State Library.”

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Added on: Mar 01, 2012 | Hits: 230

“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: 246

“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