EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Wrocław's Period Instruments Ensemble "Altri Stromenti" exists since 1992. It's name - "other instruments", brings to mind baroque practice which allowed changing of voices in compositions, it also reveals the special character of the period instruments, that means "different" from contemporary, ensemble. Choice of performs varies and depends on the repertoire. Among the musicians working with Altri Stromenti are Olga Pasiecznik, Marek Toporowski, Mark Caudle to name a few.

The repertoire of Altri Stromenti comprises both "classical" as well as less well known 17th century baroque compositions which the group reconstructs and presents during "Baroque Concerts" organized in the House under the Golden Sun in Wrocław (these concerts were started by the group and already more than 50 were organized). Altri Stromenti performed also in Germany, France and Czech Republic ("Monuments en musique" festival in Strasbourg, International Festival of Early Music in Cracow, at the Royal Castle in Warsaw and three times during international festival "Wratislavia Cantans" in Wrocław. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 07, 2008 | Hits: 364

"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: 449

“Musicae Antiquae Collegium Varsoviense, a full time orchestra on original period instruments, was founded by Stefan Sutkowski  in 1957. It was the first early music vocal-instrumental ensemble in Poland. From the beginning, its members set themselves the goal of popularising newly discovered relics of Polish music. These musicians became founder members of Warsaw Chamber Opera, which was founded in 1961 by Stefan Sutkowski, who has served as its Managing and Artistic Director ever since. At present, the Warsaw Chamber Opera company consists of 2 directors, 2 designers, 7 conductors, over 75 soloists, and 3 full-time orchestras (period-instruments ensemble (orchestra) Musicae Antiquae Collegium Varsoviense and two small-size symphony orchestras - the Warsaw Sinfonietta and the Orchestra of Warsaw Chamber Opera ). It also has a the 40-strong Chamber Choir and the Choir specializing in Old Orthodox Music and a Mime Group.

While the opera company expanded, its repertoire enriched by works from the Classical era and later, whilst the Collegium cultivated and perfected the practice of performing early music. Yet music from several centuries ago cannot be given its proper tonal shape without the appropriate instruments, a complete set of which has been acquired thanks to the enduring efforts of the Warsaw Chamber Opera. ..“

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Added on: May 04, 2010 | Hits: 301

“By its historically informed interpretative style, based on specific instrumental techniques, covering the 17th and 18th centuries, the ensemble sets out to restore the music of that period through concerts, recordings, collaborations with other musicians or ensembles, participation in educational, governmental and nongovernmental programmes. …“

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Added on: Feb 05, 2012 | Hits: 193

"The Ensemble "Brevis" was created in 1998 by Pavel Surahin. The "Brevis" has taken part in a great amount of festivals and competitions in Belarus ("Slavyansky Bazar v Vitebske 2002"(The first prise), "The VIII International Competition of Chamber Ensembles" (Smorgon 2006, the first prize), Knights' Fights and Festivals), Poland (II (2004) (also III (2005), V (2007), VI (2008)) International Festival of Old Culture in the Castle of Malbork", "XXX International Music Festival in Bydgoszcz 2007", a great lot of Knights' Festivals), Lithuania (III International competition of chamber Ensembles in Klaipeda 2007 (the second prize) and also Knights' Festivals), The South Korea (YoPeFe! 2005) and has also performed some concerts in Russia (Moscow) and UAE (Dubai). Every year The "Brevis" records its CD's with new compositions. Almost all the music can be heard on the radio and TV channels of Belarus. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 318

"The Early Music Group " Contredanse " was created from the teachers of music. The ensemble helped to organize religious services of NewApostolic city community. A set of recorders (the firm Moeck) was brought and presented to the musicians for that purpose from Germany.

At the time the members of the ensemble were not permanent, mainly, the teachers of music played in it. Gradually the repertoire and the instruments were enlarging and the ensemble became an independent collective. They took part in a great number of perfomances in towns and cities.

By that time it consisted of four recorders, guitar and percussion in some works cembalo, mandoline, cornomuse and vocal were used. ...

At presrnt the group consist of the followning musicians : Andrew Konstantinov, the leader, recorders sopran, tenor Viktor Kerbul, recorders Eugeni Julan, guitar Andrew Dunchik, percussion. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 265

"Early music ensemble "Drolls" was established in 1999. The o­nly field of activity of the ensemble is western European music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

OUR CREDO:
The majority of people consider the Middle Ages to be the gloomy time of inquisition fires or the world of fantasy with the traditional set of elfs and dragons.

It is the contribution of courses of history and Hollywood movies. We chose another path.

We don't depict people of the past; it is impossible, because we are surrounded by other religions. We practice the following principle: during the last centuries the mankind has changed, but the Man has remained unchangeable. The Man still loves and has fun as eight centuries ago.

It is possible to feel the still living past by means of music. The music, which has been historical, unfairly forgotten and depreciatingly put off. We strive for proof and prove this principle by every our performance. We are always glad and happy when our creative work awakes response by different audience: from specialists to unsophisticated audience. It serves as the doubtless evidence of the fact that we are o­n the right way. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 337

"Ensemble "Laterna Magica", or "Magic Lantern" (St.Petersburg, Russia), specializes in performing Western-European music of Middle Ages.

"Laterna Magica" combines original sounds of the period instruments with experiments in interpretation.

The ensemble unifies freedom, coming out of the performers' experience in playing Classical, Baroque, Rock, Folk, and Jazz music, with self-restriction resulting from the keen stylefeeling.

Non-academic voices add genuine expression to the ensemble's work.

Treating medieval music as a vivid art, which is able to live outside museums, but in concert halls, churches, clubs, or streets, the ensemble involves medieval repertoire in the various contexts of contemporary music life.

Since its' foundation in 1998, "Laterna Magica" became very well known not only in St.Petersburg, but also in Russia, Estonia, Poland, and Belarus. The ensemble took part in several International Early Music Festivals - in Tartu (Estonia, 1999, 2000), Moscow (1999), St.Petersburg (2000), Minsk (2002); it also gave concerts at the Chamber music festivals in Polotsk (Belarus, 2000), Veliky Novgorod (2003), Kostomuksha (2005), at the festivals "Jazz Spring", "Window to Netherlands" in St.Petersburg (2000, 2001) etc.; toured Belarus, Finland, Poland and USA (see review about concert at the United Methodist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 17 October, 2001). ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 329

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

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 313

"The ensemble «Soloists of Catherine the Great» (Saint-Petersburg) is a unique project of the Foundation for the Revival of Early Music, which aims to discover and return into the contemporary cultural context the rich heritage of 18th century music in Russia. The ensemble has been specifically formed for the performance of chamber music (duos, trios, quartets and quintets) and presents the core of the Catherine the Great Orchestra – Russia’s first professional baroque orchestra founded in 2001. In collaboration with a number of leading experts and musicologists, the ensemble musicians have undertaken research in the Russian archives in order to bring to light and present to the public the previously forgotten masterpieces by the Russian Court composers like Khandoshkin, Jarnovich, Tietz, Facius and others. The ensemble’s other major point of interest is music which was played at the Russian noble estates in the 18th and early 19th centuries and which still retains the unique atmosphere of this by-gone world. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 238

"Medieval music ensemble "Universalia in Re" was founded in 2001 with a view to revive a medieval attitude to music as an internal experience capable to change a man. This aim determinates unusual instrumental stuff of the ensemble as well as its repertoire (mostly European music of XIII-XIV centuries).

Together with careful study of musical treatises and analysis of medieval European manuscripts, which keep traces of a unique minstrel culture, the ensemble pays a significant attention to living verbal professional musical traditions of Central Asia and Middle East

The ensemble members participated in workshops of leading medieval music teachers and musicians. The ensemble made concerts in Russia,Ukraine, Switzerland, Estonia, Poland and took part in international early music festivals in Lviv (Lviv Early Music Festival, Ukraine, 2002), Tartu (VI Tartu Early Music Festival, Tartu, Estonia, 2003) and Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia, International Machaut Festival, 2004, EARLYMUSIC, 2005). " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 765

"BaroqueCompagniet is a newly formed ensemble with a focus on music from 1600 - and 1700's.

"BaroqueCompagniet Ensemble offers their services in various venues such as private celebrations, conferences, banquets, theme-kickoffs, restaurant-entertainment to more ceremonial occasions such as weddings, baptisms and the like.

The ensemble makes use of historic instruments and, if so desired, including period clothing. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 320

Early Music Ensemble.

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Added on: Feb 23, 2012 | Hits: 211

“Ensemble Altapunta debuted at the Palladium in Malmö 26th January and played in the St Mary's Church in Helsingborg August 2007.”

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Added on: Feb 23, 2012 | Hits: 176

"The Ensemble Villancico was formed in 1995 for the purpose of performing and spreading the renaissance music collection "Cancionero de Upsala", and is conducted by Peter Pontvik. The ensemble has given more than a hundred concerts, in 25 countries (Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Baltic states and Latin America). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 645

"Gothenburg is a Baroque ensemble consisting of singer and instrumentalists focused on the music of the 16th-17th century. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Oct 08, 2008 | Hits: 433

"Les Musiciens de l´îlot Royal was established 1997 in Stockholm, Sweden by harpsichordist and composer Miguel Robaina.

The ensemble are mainly into music from the baroque era. Their repetoir primary consists of french music in the spirit of Lully and music from the Swedish great powerperiod. Les Musiciens are also frequently performing music from the Scharffeneck collection of contemporary early music.

The ensemble are playing on historical original instruments or replicas of such. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 10, 2008 | Hits: 677

“In their endeavour to find new perspectives on old music, Rebaroque have chosen to co-operate with several soloists and conductors. Together with soprano Susanne Rydén the ensemble toured in 2005-2006 with the musical drama "Christina's Journey", which was also broadcast on Swedish national television (SVT) and was highly acclaimed by the critics when released on CD.

Rebaroque works with choirs such as The Swedish Radio Choir, The Mikaeli Chamber Choir, and Eric Ericson's Chamber Choir, and has apart from TV-appearances made numerous radio recordings and live broadcasts, of which several have been European broadcasts.”

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Added on: Mar 24, 2012 | Hits: 122

“Tinktur is a newly formed ensemble with a love of early music. We create theatrical performances for church or chamber room. The voice, lute and poetry woven together and a living history is told.

Tinktur is made ​​up of Ann-Christine Wesser Ingels (vocals), Sofia Thelin Edgren (vocals) and Fredrik Bock (lute, theorbo, etc.), all familiar faces from the Swedish music scene. All three have a classical background, but downloading is fond of inspiration from song and folk tradition ... In the theatrical process, we collaborate with registered consultants. For specific programs and performances extended ensemble with more known musicians from Sweden and Denmark.”

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Added on: Mar 24, 2012 | Hits: 143

"The Galata Chamber Choir (now spead out all over the world) is composed of 8 members : 2 French, 2 Italians, 1 British all living in Turkey, and 3 Turks. With a humanist thought, their goal is to make music together in an atmosphere of friendship, and to experience a mosaic of cultures.

The repertoire of the Galata Chamber Choir consists of polyphonic works of various composers from the Renaissance and Baroque periods (15th-18th cc.) and is sung in seven different languages : english, french, german, italian, latin, spanish and turkish.

Based on the love of music and people, the Galata Chamber Choir welds different cultures in peace. The benefits from their concerts are left to the competent organizations to help the poor, the elderly, and orphans and children in need.

Whenever possible, the Galata Chamber Choir's concerts take place in historical places. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 292

"Horses Brawl present an innovative take early music, with roots in renaissance, medieval, baroque and folk traditions they re-work, re-compose and explore unconventional techniques.

A masterclass in turning one instrument into many, Horses Brawl play bowed guitar, double barrelled recorders and crumhorn solos. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 389

" Le Basile is a group of talented young musicians specialising in music of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries who met during their studies in the Medieval Department of the prestigious Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland. The group takes its name from a piece by Solage in the Chantilly Codex (a 14th century music manuscript); le basile is French for basilisk and is also the basis for the name Basel – the group’s town of origin. The group performs throughout Europe and is a regular visitor to the Brighton Early Music Festival. Concerts are presented on copies of medieval and early Renaissance instruments and the members strive to introduce this ‘little heard’ music to audiences through innovative, informative and entertaining performances. Recent recitals and workshops in Germany, Switzerland and the UK have received excellent reviews. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 478

“Originally formed when two of our members were studying at the Royal College of Music, The 1607 Ensemble is unique in that we perform early consort repertoire alongside 20th-century vocal jazz—both to a high professional standard—and create our own eclectic compositions using elements from both styles. We draw our inspiration from a cappella groups like The Real Group, Take 6, Manhattan Transfer, and the New York Voices; mainstream early music groups such as The Consort of Musicke, I Fagiolini, and Le Poème Harmonique; and “third stream” jazz/classical fusion groups like The Modern Jazz Quartet. ..“

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Added on: Apr 18, 2010 | Hits: 314

“A Companye of Strangers performs Medieval and Tudor music, song and dance, as yeomen and women, or as courtiers. We are based in Kent, and have been taking part in all manner of events in England, France and Germany since 1993, and can provide entertainment for Medieval or Tudor banquets, re-enactment events, festivals, markets, ceilidhs, weddings and parties. We are also happy to teach the audience some of our simpler dances so that they may join in the fun.

Please note that we are not a living history group – our primary aim is to entertain!

We are always happy to welcome new members, men or women – no experience required.”

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Added on: Dec 15, 2011 | Hits: 198

" German viol player, Peter Wendland and English harpsichordist, David Roblou, are long-established international artists, known on CD through their work with leading early music ensembles: The Rose Consort of Viols and The New London Consort, as well as numerous individual solo appearances worldwide.

After 10 years' giving occasional concerts together, Peter and David have decided to create a new ensemble and are currently offering three innovative programmes: Bach, and two new mixed programmes demonstrating the extraordinary variety of the repertoire, as well as the versatility and imagination of the artists. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 281