EarlyMusicNews.Org

"The Amphion Consort are named after the mythological player (Ovid, metamorphoses) who built the walls of Thebes moving the stones to fall in their places by the power and beauty of his playing. The ensemble was initially formed to explore the repertoire for baroque violin and continuo (theorbo), but is expanding to include some of the best players and singers on the scene to perform chamber music and large scale works.

our repertoire ranges from the 14th century Ars Subtilior; Elizabethan lute songs by Dowland and Danyel; French music for viol and theorbo by de Visee and Marais to English masques and operas such as Blow's Venus and Adonis, Purcell's Dido and Aneas and the Fairy Queen. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 429

"Apollo & Pan is a dynamic young group which explores the numerous hitherto neglected works for violin and bassoon from the 17th and 18th centuries, using both renaissance and baroque instruments. By expanding the group with one or two extra musicians, there are also opportunities to explore a wider repertoire, ranging from Vivaldi concertos to Bach cantatas.

In Greek mythology, Pan famously challenged Apollo to a musical contest: in the renaissance, Pan, often pictured holding a wind instrument, represented the wild and untamed, whereas Apollo, normally shown with a stringed instrument, stood for the sublime and refined. These contrasting qualities are united in the ensemble of violin and bassoon - with the development of mixed ensembles in the 17th century, this popular combination symbolised the contrast of the opposing forces of Apollo and Pan.

Tassilo Erhardt and Sally Holman met and formed Apollo & Pan while studying at The Royal Conservatory in The Hague. In England they were joined by the keyboard player Steven Devine, who was the winner of the inaugural Broadwood Harpsichord Competition in 1993. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 325

"Maria Sangers, Recorders; Dawn Johnston, Lute, Theorbo, Guitar

Aurora provides small scale music-making of a particularly intimate kind. Employing a wide range of recorders and plucked string instruments, the performers recreate the sound world of a renaissance chamber.

Aurora's programme style and content makes them particularly suitable for smaller, historic, or candlelit venues, and they have been heard to fine effect in various National Trust properties.

Aurora is also available to provide stylish and atmospheric music to enhance events such as weddings or receptions. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 476

“Austentation are the accomplished and versatile singer Gillie Tunley, and the well-established instrumentalist and singer Frank Underwood, who have combined forces to present musical performances from the Regency period, including material from Jane Austen's own collections at Chawton in Hampshire.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 222

"The Avison Ensemble are North East England's foremost exponents of 18th century music and standard bearers for Charles Avison, the hitherto little known but important English composer of the 18th Century.

Charles Avison (1709-1770) was a Newcastle-born composer, conductor and organist. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians calls him, "the most important English concerto composer of the 18th Century". Yet his work and that of other neglected British composers of the period was thoroughly overshadowed by the brilliance of George Frederick Handel, who was operating in London at the time.

omprised of some of Europe's leading musicians and soloists and in addition to playing other works from the baroque and early classical periods, the Avison Ensemble promotes chamber concerts and is furthering the revival of the once famous Newcastle Subscription Concerts, originally established and promoted by Charles Avison himself.

The Ensemble have chosen to perform on period instruments in order to recreate as closely as possible the distinctive 'sound world' that Charles Avison would have known. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 522

"The Balthazar Ensemble wind quintet was established in 1999; it performs classical and early romantic wind music on the instruments for which the music was originally composed. All the members specialize in early music performance, and play on historical instruments or modern copies.

The ensemble has performed in venues ranging from the Noorderkerk church in Amsterdam to Dussum Castle, and inaugurated the Mengalzaal at the Ghent Conservatorium.

Individually Balthazar's members perform (in some cases on instruments they have built themselves) with the world's leading orchestras, early and otherwise, and ensembles — Freiburger Barockorchester, The Academy of Ancient Music, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, Musica ad Rhenum, Les Talens Lyriques, Radio Symfonie Orkest, Nachtmusique, Zefiro, Concerto K�ln, La Grande Ecurie and Europa Galante.

Balthazar Ensemble offers you a fresh and sparkling interpretation of the works of well known composers — Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Rossini, without neglecting the output of their less well known contemporaries, Danzi, Mengal, Reicha and Gebauer, which deserve once more to be placed in the spotlight.

The unique sounds of historical instruments, the combination of transparent timbres and clarity of articulation results in uplifting and vital performances of this fascinating repertoire. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 344

"The Banquet of Musick was founded in 1994 to perform a wide range of music from the 17th and early 18th centuries using appropriate instruments and working where possible from original early editions or facsimiles.

The Banquet of Musick has given more than one hundred concerts from Skye to the Borders, played at Camelot’s First Birthday Party in Syon House in London and has broadcast on Radio Scotland.

The Banquet of Musick is based in Scotland and is available at any time throughout the year by negotiation. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 354

"Baroque Encounter is a dynamic early music ensemble presenting baroque repertoire in elaborate period costumes in performances ranging from semi-staged concerts to full productions. Along with more popular baroque works, Baroque Encounter offers audiences the opportunity to experience the splendours of under-valued baroque gems.

Our performances aim to give the audience a truly baroque experience. We combine vibrant young talent with established exponents of baroque performance, perform with period instruments, work with baroque costume specialists and prepare with baroque directors/choreographers. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2008 | Hits: 378

"The Binchois Consort was founded in 1995 to perform Dufay’s Mass for St Anthony of Padua as part of a liturgical Mass for the Saint’s feast day. Its recording of that Mass (CDA66854) was released by Hyperion in 1996 to an enthusiastic critical reception. All its subsequent discs have received similarly stunning reviews. The second, ‘Music for St James the Greater by Guillaume Dufay’, received numerous awards, including ‘Recording of the Month’ and ‘Early Music Recording of the Year’ in ‘Gramophone’ magazine and a 'Diapason d’or.’ The group’s fourth disc, ‘Josquin Des Prez and his Contemporaries,’ was voted runner-up to the ‘Early Music Recording of the Year’ for 2002 by ‘Gramophone;’ and its next release, of Masses and motets by Busnois, Domarto and Pullois, was shortlisted for the same award and received the coveted 'G5' of 'Goldberg' magazine and 'Five stars' in 'BBC Music' magazine. Recording no. 6, of a Mass, Puisque je vis, thought to be by Dufay, along with motets by Dufay, Compère and others, was named 'Diapason decouverte' by 'Diapason'', and received various other music industry accolades. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 12, 2008 | Hits: 410

" Jeremy Barlow specialises in English popular music and English dance music from 1550-1750, as a performer, writer and lecturer. His group the Broadside Band has performed at major venues and festivals in England, Scotland, France, Austria, Germany and Sweden and has made many recordings for Harmonia Mundi, Hyperion, Saydisc etc. These include the Edison Award winning complete Beggar's Opera featuring Bob Hoskins and Sarah Walker, and best-selling ‘Songs and Dances from Shakespeare'. His book The Enraged Musician: Hogarth’s Musical Imagery (Ashgate, 2005) has received excellent reviews, and his next book, The Cat & the Fiddle: Images of musical humour from the Middle Ages to modern times (Bodleian Library, Oxford) will be published shortly. Jeremy Barlow lectures at home and abroad on a variety of subjects linking music and art. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 320

"The Brook Street Band is an award winning specialist in Eighteenth Century repertoire that takes its name from the London street where Handel lived and composed for most of his working life in England. Its various prizes include BBC Radio 3 Young Artists' Forum and the Byrne Award, given by the Handel Institute. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 363

" Cancionero is an Early Music Ensemble based in the Sevenoaks and Maidstone area of Kent. The group perform music from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance with an emphasis on the troubadour and Spanish repertoire but also including music from the Tudor court. Programmes are available with from 2 to 5 performers.

Members of the group sing and perform on a wide variety of instruments: Renaissance recorders, cornamuse, crumhorn, bagpipes, medieval and renaissance lute, vihuela, harp, gittern, citole, crwth, dulcimer, psaltery, rebec, virginals, hurdy-gurdy and percussion." See website for more information (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 342

“Canty, Scotland’s only professional Medieval music group, was formed by Rebecca Tavener in 1998, the 900th anniversary of the birth of Hildegard of Bingen, and it comprises the regular female singers with Cappella Nova, Scotland’s leading early music vocal ensemble.  As individuals, the singers bring to the group a wealth of experience, both as soloists and as members of other distinguished ensembles.  Together with regular collaborator, harpist William Taylor, they explore a unique repertoire combining Medieval music and contemporary works written specially for them, along with ongoing research and experimentation in performance practice for Medieval music from Celtic homelands.   Canty has nurtured close relationships with a number of leading musicologists specialising in medieval sacred music and, as a result, enjoys access to a considerable amount of rare or unique material.

Canty’s debut CD, Wings of Wisdom, features chant by Hildegard von Bingen and from medieval Scotland and was released on the Dorian label.  Flame of Ireland (Sanctuary Gaudeamus), their second recording, features world premiere recordings of 15thc Irish chant for St Brigit of Kildare.  Their third disc, Felix Femina – medieval Scottish polyphony (Sanctuary Gaudeamus) was described by Andrew McGregor as having a ‘transcendental quality that absolutely suits the music’ (CD Review, BBC Radio 3).  A fourth CD, Apostle of Ireland, featuring Medieval Irish chant for St Patrick, has just been released on the Divine Art label.   The latest CD, to be released by Linn Records in 2010, combines medieval repertoire with new works written specially for the group including pieces by James Macmillan and Sir John Tavener.

Canty has appeared in many distinguished festivals and venues at home and abroad, including the Edinburgh Festival, Galway Early Music Festival, Spitalfields Festival, Edinburgh International Harp Festival, the International Celtic Congress (Bonn) and the National Centre for Early Music in York.  Future projects include commissions from Gabriel Jackson, Joanne Metcalf and other composers, leading to the recording in 2009 of a new CD of contemporary and medieval music for Linn Records. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 20, 2011 | Hits: 211

"Cappella Nova, founded in 1982 by Alan and Rebecca Tavener, has an unrivalled reputation as champions of Scotland’s unique treasury of early vocal music. The group is also “famous for its performances of contemporary music” (The Guardian), having commissioned and premiered more than 60 new works since 1986. These include John Tavener’s monumental three-hour oratorio, Resurrection (1990), broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and James MacMillan’s cantata for Holy Week Seven Last Words from the Cross (1994), which was the subject of seven short films for BBC2 TV. In 1996 they recorded the award-winning soundtrack by William Sweeney for the Tartan Short film an iobairst. In 2003 they provided ensemble vocals for the critically-acclaimed album Hate by The Delgados. In 2009 they premiered Red, the first a cappella work by Craig Armstrong. Also in 2009, the group appeared in the BBC Scotland television documentary Grace Notes, singing medieval and renaissance Scottish sacred music.

Cappella Nova and its medieval offshoot ensemble, Canty, has made 15 CDs, including ten of medieval and renaissance music for the Sanctuary Classics (Universal) Gaudeamus label, all of which are ‘world premieres in modern times’, and the group is particularly well-known for championing the music of the 16th century Scottish polyphonist, Robert Carver. Besides appearances in many British festivals, the group has toured many times abroad, including several visits to Germany and France, and tours in Ireland, Belgium, Hungary, Russia and the USA. Among Cappella Nova’s awards are several Enterprise Awards from the Performing Right Society and a Glenfiddich Living Scotland Award for their ground-breaking performances of Scottish early music. Cappella Nova is Vocal Ensemble in Residence at the University of Strathclyde and the Company has an office sponsored by the university which also hosts this website."

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 438

"Founded in 1989, The Cardinall’s Musick is a highly successful and innovative ensemble. Taking its name from the 16th-century cardinal, Thomas Wolsey, the group is known for its extensive study of English Renaissance music. Although primarily a vocal group, The Cardinall’s Musick also has its own period instrumental ensemble, and now embraces a wide range of styles and periods: from complete reconstructions of historical events (the Field of the Cloth of Gold) to world premieres of commissioned music from composers such as Michael Finnissy, Simon Whalley, Matthew Martin and Judith Weir. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 433

“Carreg Lafar means 'speaking stone', an echo stone. At the forefront of the Welsh traditional music scene, the group has changed many peoples' view of traditional Welsh music with their passionate and lively performances. Through a mix of traditional and original music, Carreg Lafar presents a vibrant spirit whilst remaining rooted in the language and living tradition of Welsh song and dance music. The music is arranged for traditional and contemporary instruments including fiddle, flute, pibgorn (hornpipe), pibau (bagpipes) and guitar, together with dynamic vocals. The group has made three albums with Sain records, 'Ysbryd y Werin', 'Hyn' and 'Profiad'.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 14, 2012 | Hits: 159

"Chalemie is a group of musicians, dancers and actors whose aim is to explore the theatrical side of early music - from the dance and pantomime of eighteenth century London to the court spectaculars of earlier centuries.

Chalemie is motivated by a belief in total theatre; the combining of different performance arts to create new dramatic forms. Its own particular focus is on early music, dance and commedia dell'arte. With these as its primary materials it seeks to create a style of theatre that is close to the popular stage of the early 18th century. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 358

"Chanterye is a group devoted to presenting aspects of medieval life to modern audiences. In its simplest form, three performers - Helen, Alison and David Cooke - offer a range of music from the 13th to 15th centuries. But they are often supplemented by other singers and instrumentalists.

In its largest form to date, the group expands to take in actors and other entertainers to put on representations of medieval life and literature in a musical context. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 362

"Charivari Agréable is recognized as ‘one of the classiest baroque bands’ (The Observer), and ‘certainly one of the most original and versatile groups on the Early Music scene today’ (Hexachord), whose musical ‘intuitions are always captivating’ (Goldberg). The group has been hailed for its ‘thinking musicians who treat music of the past more creatively’ via their arrangements of music, ‘based on a greater knowledge of the historical and social contexts for the music’. They represent ‘a new and very exciting phase of the early music revival, one that enriches the existing repertory and can bring us ever closer to the spirit of the original music’ (Gramophone).

Under the artistic direction of Susanne Heinrich and the musical leadership of Kah-Ming Ng, the ensemble specializes in the ingenious use of period instruments to produce ‘ravishing sonorities and full-bodied textures’ (Gramophone) with ‘their powerful cohesion, warm sound, and their eloquent authority’ (Diapason). The group has ‘carved something of a niche for itself in imaginative and well-thought-out programming’; ‘its work is the fruit of both scholarly research and charismatic musicianship, a combination that puts it at the forefront of period-instrument ensembles’ (BBC Music Magazine). With a chronological remit spanning epochs from the Renaissance to the early classical, the ensemble appears in many guises, from a continuo band (accompanying the recitals of such artists as Emma Kirkby, John Holloway and Simon Standage), a viol consort, and an Elizabethan mixed consort, to a baroque orchestra and many other surprising - yet historical - combinations. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 286

"Schubert played on a quartet of rubber trout, pieces introduced in Japanese, Wagner grand opera seen through the wrong end of the telescope. Blissfully unaware of the limitations of an instrument with a range of just over an octave, the Chuckerbutty Ocarina Quartet take their small clay instruments through a dazzling array of improbable pieces, played with wit, musicality and occasional bursts of breathtaking speed. To add variety to the mix, the quartet also play guitar, charango and a few other surprises.

Since its debut at the Wigmore Hall, the Chuckerbutty Ocarina Quartet's talent has been appreciated in such prestigious venues as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Centre in London, and the Festival of Flanders. In 2005 the quartet appeared as the headline act at the 3rd international ocarina festival in Budrio, Italy, and in 2006/07 made six visits to Spain. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 271

"The Ciconia Ensemble is dedicated to the music of the late 14th/early 15th centuries, especially the so-called Ars Subtilior, that uniquely difficult and wonderful music that flourished briefly in France and northern Italy. The group consists of Anna Maria Friman (soprano), John Potter (tenor), Susanna Pell and Jacob Heringman (lutes & vielles) and made its debut in York in 2006. Programmes have included music by Ciconia himself, including rarely heard masses and motets, as well as troubadour songs and Minnelieder. The group performed an all-Machaut programme entitled La Parole et la Puissance: Guillaume de Machaut and the way to eternity in the 2007 Kultursommer Rheinland-Pfalz Festival A recording of highlights from the festival features several tracks from the Ciconia Ensemble; complimentary copies are available from Robert White Artist Management. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 314

"With a riot of period instruments, lusty voices and all the exuberance of an early street or theatre band, THE CITY WAITES perform popular English songs, ballads and dance music from the Tudor period to the early 19th century. Street cries, theatre songs, bawdy broadside ballads, early Music Hall, Coffee House catches, courtly dances and the foot-stomping rhythms of a village dance band.

Performances in concert halls, festivals, historic houses, corporate functions and cultural events throughout the world; British Council tours to Middle and Far East; universities in USA, major London venues incl Queen Elizabeth Hall; collaborations with Shakespeare’s Globe, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, RSC; Royal National Theatre; TV, radio and film soundtracks. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 363

“Since its formation in 1996, Concanentes has established itself as one of the leading ensembles specialising in the performance of music from the Middle Ages and the sixteenth century. Winner of the 1998 Bankers' Trust Pyramid Award, Concanentes went on to be selected for the 1999-2000 Classics West Business & Arts Partnership scheme. In 1999 the ensemble appeared in the International Early Music Network Young Artists' Competition and was selected for the late Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now! scheme. The year 2000 saw a debut recital in the Purcell Room in London as part of the Intrada series, as well as concerts in the Barcelona and Bruges Early Music Festivals and the National Early Music Showcase. As recommended artists for the 2000-2001 NFMS Concert Promoters' Network, Concanentes gave a number of tours around Britain. These successful performances led to the group being reselected for the 2003-2004 season. Earlier this year Concanentes gave a tour of the Netherlands for the Oude Musiek Organization in Utrecht (where one of their concerts was recorded for a later broadcast on Dutch Radio).

Concanentes has been featured on BBC Radio 3's early music programme Music Restored and Radio 4's Woman's Hour and has worked with actors by providing music for the medieval mystery plays. Their education programmes have led to projects with The Centre for Young Musicians in London, The National Centre for Early Music and The Pied Piper Project in Yorkshire, as well as recitals at a number of Universities in the UK.

Musicians who form the ensemble Concanentes: Faye Newton, Catherine Fleming and Hazel Brooks“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 14, 2009 | Hits: 341

"Concert Royal recreates the elegant sound worlds of the baroque and classical eras through historically informed performance. For over thirty years the ensemble has delighted audiences with enthusiastic and informative presentations.

Concert Royal has toured in Europe, the USA and for the British Council in South America and has given concerts in every corner of the UK, performing for festivals, music and arts societies, theatres, churches, schools, arts centres and in country houses.

Concert Royal's 2006 - 7 schedule included concerts for the Bideford, Hoylake, Totnes and Matlock music societies and festival appearances in Howden and Leicester. The ensemble entertained in Appleby Castle and in the splendid Georgian setting of Sledmere Hall near York.

Concert Royal is actively involved in education initiatives, visiting more than 50 schools in 2006. Young people participate in informative and entertaining workshops, learning about their musical heritage through singing, playing, composing and dancing. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 12, 2008 | Hits: 362

"CONCERTANTE OF LONDON
Director: Sir Nicholas Jackson

CONCERTANTE OF LONDON is a versatile ensemble performing with as few as 4 musicians playing baroque instruments for Nicholas Jackson's new realisation of Bach's 'A Musical Offering' expanding to10 or more players when performing works such as Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. It also frequently adds 4 young solo singers for the performance of choral works. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2008 | Hits: 314