EarlyMusicNews.Org

“The American Bach Soloists touch musical audiences through live performances, recordings, and educational programs that emphasize the engaging repertoire and historically accurate performance practices of the Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic periods with a special focus on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Named "the best American specialists in early music" by The Washington Post, the American Bach Soloists ("ABS") were founded in 1989 with the mission of introducing contemporary audiences to the cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach through historically informed performances. Under the leadership of Co-founder and Music Director Jeffrey Thomas, the ensemble has achieved its vision of assembling the world's finest vocalists and period-instrument performers to bring this brilliant music to life.

Critical acclaim has been extensive. The San Francisco Chronicle recently extolled the ensemble's "Divinely inspired singing," and has called ABS' performances "a model of what the early music movement can offer at its best: a thoughtful, passionate rendition of great music, attuned to both the stylistic characteristics of the past and to the artistic requirements of our own time." The Wall Street Journal named ABS "a flawless ensemble…a level of musical finesse one rarely encounters," and San Francisco Classical Voice declared: "There is nothing routine or settled about their work. Jeffrey Thomas is still pushing the musical Baroque envelope." 

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 03, 2010 | Hits: 289

"The Welsh Baroque Orchestra (director, Andrew Wilson-Dickson) was formed in 1992 as a development of the amateur period group 'The Eighteenth-Century Singers and Players', which met for weekend courses in baroque playing, often under the guidance of Catherine Mackintosh. Since the early 90s, the Welsh Baroque Orchestra has given professional concerts from St David's in West Wales to Llandaf Cathedral to Bristol, making its first recording in 2000. In June 2003 it was relaunched to critical acclaim and, thanks to a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government, pursues a more intensive musical life across Wales and beyond. See our current concert plans.

The Welsh Baroque Orchestra is flexible, its size varying to fit the variety of earlier repertoire which is its speciality. From a few strings and continuo (harpsichord or organ and/or theorbo), the group can grow to 30 players, with wind and brass as needed. Its musical aim is vivid and exciting music-making through historical awareness, using period instruments alongside the stylistic techniques that go with them. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 450

"The English Concert is among the finest chamber orchestras in the world, with a reputation for outstanding interpretations of Baroque and Classical music in the concert hall and on CD.

Each season we present a prestigious series of concerts in London, at Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall, appearing also at major London festivals, including the BBC Proms, the Spitafields Festival and the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 405

"The Bach Players is a collective of like-minded musicians who are drawn together by their passion for the music of J.S. Bach: our enduring inspiration and the apotheosis of the Baroque. We play on original instruments and all vocal music is sung in its original language. We play without a conductor, and with forces that are as small as possible (mostly single strings and single voices). A genuine spirit of enquiry and reassessment pervades all aspects of our performance. Founded in 1996, we established a series of programmes of Bach cantatas in St John’s Wood Parish Church in London. There we began to introduce some of these lesser-known works to a wider audience. As a result of this we have been invited to play all over Britain and have built up a faithful following. In 1999 we were invited to perform the St John Passion for the opening of the Berliner Bachtage. We have recently started to make programmes in which Bach is linked to other composers. " View website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2008 | Hits: 513

"The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is a world renowned orchestra which plays on original instruments to bring out the very best of classical music as it was intended to be heard.

Its players lead the Orchestra themselves with a commitment, enjoyment and energy which translates directly into the quality, vitality and dynamism of each performance.

The Orchestra has chosen to have no permanent music director; this flexibility allows it to work with some of the world's greatest conductors and soloists across a wide range of music.

The Orchestra's uniquely versatile and pioneering spirit of music making encourages a warmth and involvement which makes every performance an edge-of-the-seat experience for performers and audiences alike. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 434

“London Early Opera  is a new baroque ensemble whose members are leading exponents of early music and consist of a flexible number of singers, soloists and instrumentalists. The aim is to showcase treasures of the baroque era using a fine balance of instrumentalists and singers, which can be tailored to suit a particular space or venue. LEO links dramatic music and singing with narration and art history to create magical performances.  
 
The group is directed by harpsichordist, conductor and early music specialist Bridget Cunningham and has performed to acclaim at Southwark Cathedral and in a programme for Advent at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Their recent 'Handel in Italy' concert at St James' Church, Piccadilly was met with great success. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 497

"Leeds Baroque is a period-instrument performance group based in West Yorkshire. It is directed by Peter Holman (Professor of Historical Musicology in the University of Leeds School of Music), who is renowned as Director of the Parley of Instruments and Opera Restor’d).

Members of Leeds Baroque are drawn from professional and non-professional players with students from the region’s music colleges. Free workshops given by leaders in the field of baroque performance practice provide training, and the funds available are used to enable members of the orchestra to perform concerts with internationally renowned soloists. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 645

“Born out of a meeting of talent, enthusiasm and friendship, the International Baroque Players represent countries from all over the world. Their different backgrounds and influences make the rehearsal and performance processes a truly dynamic experience. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 131

"Enthusiastic and experienced players of all ages meeting in Coventry, from as far afield as Yorkshire and Bedfordshire. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 30, 2008 | Hits: 348

"Harmony of Nations is a period-instrument orchestra of young musicians from all over Europe, specialising in the music of the Baroque era. They got to know each other during the year they spent touring as members of the European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO), and decided that the experience was too rewarding for it not to continue.

While with EUBO, the musicians performed under the direction of some of the finest Baroque musicians in Europe: Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Ton Koopman and Andrew Manze. They gave concerts all over Europe including Paris, London, Prague and Amsterdam, playing music ranging from Biber, Purcell and Charpentier, to Bach, Telemann, Handel, Rameau and Zelenka. They also made a recording of the Handel cantata Ero e Leandro with the Polish soprano Iwona Sobotka, First Prize Winner Laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium, 2004. Rehearsing and touring in such a concentrated way gave their playing a depth and energy that they carry forward into the new independent orchestra.

The 20 founding members of the orchestra come from 14 different nations: Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. Many have also lived and studied in countries other than their own. It is this incredible diversity of cultural heritage and musical experience that gives Harmony of Nations its unique character, and a vivacity that echoes the hectic pace of modern European life while simultaneously reigniting a common musical heritage. " View website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 414

"Acclaimed by music critics as one of the finest period-instrument orchestras in the world, The Hanover Band has established an unrivalled reputation for the excellence of its performances and recordings of 18th and 19th century music. The orchestra has recently made two new appointments, Paul Brough becoming Principal Conductor and Andrew Arthur Associate Director, with immediate effect. Their list of principal conductors & guest directors over previous years reads like a Who’s Who of period instrument interpretation – Monica Huggett, Sir Charles Mackerras, Roy Goodman, Anthony Halstead, Nicholas McGegan, Richard Egarr, Nicholas Kraemer, Graham Lea-Cox, Jeffrey Skidmore & Adrian Butterfield. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 15, 2008 | Hits: 483

"Devon Baroque is a professional chamber orchestra with a reputation for exuberant and polished performances of music from the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries. The leader and director is Margaret Faultless, an artist of international standing.

In six seasons of a remarkable 50 concerts, Devon Baroque has established itself as the foremost chamber orchestra in the South West specialising in music of the baroque period. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 359

" About Corelli Concerts Corelli Concerts began when Warwick Cole founded the Corelli Chamber Orchestra. Initially a modern-instrument string orchestra specialising in music of the 18th century, it soon developed its programming presenting 19th and 20th music in conjunction with its core repertoire. Although based in Cheltenham (England), it has performed throughout the UK for music festivals, societies and clubs.

Now, specialising in period-instrument performance we promote a varied series of concerts in and around Cheltenham as well as providing orchestras and ensembles for other concert promoters further afield.

We chose the name 'Corelli' in honour of Archangelo Corelli, the 17th-century Italian violinist and composer. Corelli's music is distinctive: it was he who first established the principles of melodic elegance twinned with harmonic control which was to become the foundation of much 18th-century music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 467

“Formed in 2002, Belsize Baroque is one of the leading amateur baroque orchestras. It comprises young professionals, students and committed amateurs. The orchestra performs on period instruments in an historically informed style. It collaborates regularly with leading baroque directors to give orchestral perfomances as well as working with choral groups.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 17, 2010 | Hits: 320

"The Belmont Ensemble is a highly flexible group with a dedicated core of string players for baroque music; it can adapt to encompass forces for large romantic concertos and choral works, to contemporary commissions. All across the country's musical spectrum, former Belmont Ensemble players can be found: Past Leaders now play with the LSO, and Royal Opera House, and former continuo players are now working with ENO and the BBC Symphony, Philharmonic, and Concert Orchestras. Current members of the Ensemble also play with leading British orchestras including The Philharmonia, LPO, LSO and RPO, CBSO, Britten Sinfonia, Hanover Band, English Concert and OAE. Soloists with the orchestra have included former winners of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competitions and many outstanding international artists.

The highly versatile violinist, Anna Bradley, who has been working with the Ensemble for the past ten years, leads the Ensemble. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2008 | Hits: 308

"The Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) is one of the world’s first and foremost period-instrument orchestras. Concerts across six continents and over 250 recordings since its formation by Christopher Hogwood in 1973 demonstrate the AAM’s pre-eminence in music of the Baroque and Classical periods. In September 2006, Richard Egarr took up the post of Music Director, succeeding Hogwood who assumes the title of Emeritus Director. Egarr has already undertaken critically-acclaimed work with the AAM including a USA tour and the recording of Bach’s harpsichord concertos. During his first season in the new role, Egarr will tour the UK, Europe and the USA, and continue the AAM’s strong recording tradition with a series of Handel recordings for Harmonia Mundi USA (HMUSA), including the release of the Concerti Grossi Op.3. " ...

Added on: Aug 14, 2007 | Hits: 373

"The 18th Century Concert Orchestra communicates the brilliance and drama of baroque music, combining period instruments, candlelight and resplendent 18th-century attire to present a uniquely atmospheric recreation of 18th-century musical life.

A typical evening: the scene is set by Mr. Holt, dedicated Master of Candles, providing illumination before the musicians appear in their strikingly colourful costumes. The assembled band, comprised of fiddlers, hautboys and harpsichordist, bow gracefully and soon launch into a striking overture – perhaps one of Don Antonio Vivaldi's (designed to arrest the attention of a packed and noisy Venetian opera house). Concertos, arias and dance suites are interspersed with informative and witty anecdotes drawn from 18th-century histories, journals and treatises. Such sources also inform our programming as they often make mention of popular works scarcely known today (e.g. comic overtures). Baroque classics feature alongside these rare items. The authentic 18th-century elements: period instruments, wooden music desks, individually tailored shoes and costumes, mohair wigs, candlelight and readings.

Since its foundation in 2001 the orchestra has played in theatres, concert halls, churches and stately homes across the UK and further afield (including a 2 week tour of Canada). Their endeavours have earned them a National Lottery award and Arts Council England recognition, and a performance of Handel's Messiah was filmed for two television programmes in the recent Channel 4 series Georgian Underworld. Appearances also include: Blenheim Palace, Holywell Music Room (Oxford), Great Witley Church, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Stroud Subscription Room, and Theatre Royal Bath, where they give two performances of Handel's Messiah to sell-out houses every year. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 353

"Linden Baroque is a unique and much loved part of the British Early Music movement. Formed in 1982 by a group of early music enthusiasts in the front room of a house in Linden Gardens, Chiswick, (London) it combined the talents of a band of music students, young professionals and talented amateurs. Many of the original members now have prominent careers in the early music field and many of the dilettantes are still playing with the band.

It was one of the only 'original instrument' orchestras at that time to offer the opportunity of amateurs and professionals playing together; the newly emerging Early Music field had few boundaries and rules and everybody learned together how to tame their instruments and develop the performance styles.

Linden Baroque has kept true to its roots and to this day provides a very useful experience for many types of player; the advanced baroque instrument student from the colleges or from private teachers - we usually have at least one student from abroad (Israel, USA, Croatia, Spain, Argentina, Italy etc) playing with us -, the 'modern instrument' professional player making the transition to the baroque playing style, young professionals gaining experience 'between jobs' and talented dilettantes. We always play under an established leader and continuo player and many well-known professionals happily give up their time to play with Linden Baroque either as soloist or within the orchestra. The mixture of personnel within the band ensures that its spirited performances are always of high quality. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 15, 2008 | Hits: 469

“Born of the stage [tradition], the Romeo & Julia Kören (Choir) honours a musical storytelling tradition.

The ensemble sings and emotes, making performances a visual as well as a musical experience. The result is a singular brand of vocal drama. ...

A Renaissance concert showcases the most playful side of the Romeo  Julia Choir. Benoît Malmberg deftly conducts his choir through selections from their sizable repertoire, some 150 pieces, generally accompanied by a Renaissance lute and percussion. ... When performing at other venues, the Renaissance concert format is adapted to suit the particular venue. ..."

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2012 | Hits: 160

"Chamber Orchestra of Moscow State University was born in 1967. It was created by Edward Gindin a talented musician with a strong personality who played viola in the orchestra of Stanislavsky Opera Theatre but also had played before for a while in a famous Chamber Orchestra directed by Lev Markiz. Creation of the orchestra was enthusiastically supported by professor Shilov and academician Petrovskiy, the Rector of the Moscow State University at that time. It was originally formed as a chamber orchestra at the School of Mathematics and Mechanics but soon (since September 1967) transformed into a Chamber Orchestra of the Moscow State University. Initially, the style of the orchestra followed the "good manners" dictated by the legendary Moscow Chamber Orchestra founded in 1961 by Rudolf Barshai. In 1976, Edward Gindin emigrated to US as a refugee and the orchestra got for a while a shadow of a "politically incorrect collective". Since then, the orchestra was directed by Alexander Riz, a docent from Gnesin Institute (1975-1978 and 1987-1989; subsequently, emigrated to US), and other musicians Oleg Reshetkin (1979), Alexander Moldavskiy (1979-1987; eventually, emigrated to Israel) and Georgiy Kheresko (1985-1986; diseased 1999) and Dmitry Goldobin (1990/1991). The Chamber Orchestra of Moscow State University won the first prizes in the 1-st and 2-nd All-Union festivals of non-professional arts. It is also a laureat of two Festivals of Amateur Chamber Orchestras in Erevan. The current music director Alexander Konstantinov is not a professional musician, but an actively working biochemist, who has played violin in the orchestra since 1968, and has been its konzertmeister since ca. 1970.

In 1989, following steady and determined devotion of one of the orchestra members Andrey Sharapov (viola) who introduced to us first tape copies of authentic style performers and was persistent enough to use gut strings, give up a shoulder rest and a chin rest and to buy a baroque bow, the orchestra became interested in the so-called authentic style of baroque music performance. Having started virtually on the scratch, guided by accidental copies of recordings by Hogwood, Pinnock, Gardiner, Hornancourt and Leonhardt and progressing by tries and errors, the orchestra gradually picked up its own feeling of the style. A great impetus in this direction was given by Vladimir Drozdov (double bass) and Dmitry Goldobin (harpsichord) who joined the Orchestra in 1990 and before entering the orchestra, played for a while in one of the first authentic style ensembles organized in Moscow by Ivan Monigetti. Dmitry Goldobin spent a year as a music director of the orchestra in 1990/1991 academic year and the first early music program made with him (Locke, H.Lawes, Muffat, Kindermann, Halborne) provided a basis for further progress of the orchestra in this direction. Tuning down to a’=415 Hz made the evolution irreversible. Since 1990 the orchestra plays without conductor. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 24, 2008 | Hits: 408

"Founded and directed by Krzysztof Czerwinski, the Polish Baroque Orchestra (Polish: Polska Orkiestra Barokowa) is an ensemble of players dedicated to the music of the Baroque and Classical period, featuring historically informed performance practice. Some of the Orchestra's performances have been broadcast on Polish Television.

The Polish Baroque Orchestra is run by a society. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 14, 2008 | Hits: 436

“A baroque orchestra? Yes. But more importantly - an orchestra in a baroque manner. That means an orchestra searching for more than just performing in a historically informed fashion the pieces that were written 300 years ago. That means an orchestra with a truly baroque approach to music making. That means an orchestra for which the score, the treatises and the instruments are merely a pretext for artistic experiments; for long journeys that lead to the unknown; for creating rather than re-creating!

AdS gives on average nearly one hundred concerts a year, performing in various settings and instrumental combinations. The orchestra has initiated as well as hosted five early music festivals in Poland: "Early Music - Persona Grata" (since 1998); "Music in Paradise" (2003-2009 in Paradyz); "Torun Haendel Festival" (2004-2006); "Three Baroques Festival" (2004-2007 in Wroclaw) and "Baroque Strings and Bows Festival" (2005-2009 in Poznan).

The CD's of AdS have been released by such renowned labels as Alpha, Channel Classics and BIS Records. They have received an international acclaim and won many prestigious awards: 2003 Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Instrumental recording (for Vivaldi's "La Stravaganza" with Rachel Podger), Diapason d'Or, Gramophone Editor's Choice, Choc du Monde de la Musique, Luister 10, 10 de Repertoire, Classics Today, Classic CD. 

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 09, 2011 | Hits: 251

“Barokksolistene counts up to 20 musicians, all on a solistic level. The ensemble is flexible and its versatility remarkable, appearing as a chamber orchestra, but also as a pub-band, free improvising group, cross-over ensemble or intimate chamber group. Barokksolistene is a platform where excellent musicians can meet, and they offer concert productions normally not found in the context of classical music. Bjarte Eike’s imaginative programming and the ensembles’ infectious music making have been met with great enthusiasm by a wide audience.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 26, 2011 | Hits: 198

“Barokkanerne is an all-Norwegian baroque orchestra, consisting of Oslo-based, young professional musicians, all with recognized special skills within the field of Early Music. The ensemble was established in 1989, and gives concerts both as a full orchestra and as smaller chamber-music groups. Venues have included the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, the Oslo International Church Music Festival, broadcasts on the NRK radio and television network (the Norwegian Broadcasting Company), and tours abroad, including most recently concerts in Israel and Lithuania.

In 2006 Barokkanerne performed with Det Norske Solistkor in the world premiere of Lasse Thoresen’s Ut Unum Sint, which was written specifically for this orchestra.

Barokkanerne’s activities have traditionally included performances of music for choir, soloists and orchestra, such as Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Requiem, the St John and St Matthew Passions by Bach, Monteverdi’s Vespers, and Handel’s Messiah.

During recent years Barokkanerne has begun to draw a wide audience as a purely instrumental ensemble. The increased level of skill, artistry and enthusiasm amongst its members has spurred the orchestra to aim for more independent tasks.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2012 | Hits: 207

" Frans Brüggen founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, 50 members from 23 countries, in 1981.

Three, four or sometimes even more times a year the Orchestra gathers for an international tour. The musicians, all specialists in eighteenth and early nineteenth century music, play on period instruments or on contemporary copies. It is their intention to try to achieve the most authentic as possible performances of the masterpieces of the late baroque and classical era.

Frans Brüggen's wide ranging repertoire with his Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century includes works by Purcell, Bach, Rameau, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Mendelssohn.

In its structure and size, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century resembles the luxurious "Classical" orchestras of the period as we know them from London, Paris and Vienna. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 442