EarlyMusicNews.Org

"The Baroque Cello International Society (Associazione Internazionale del Violoncello Barocco) was founded in 2006 by the cellists Renato Criscuolo and Andrea Fossà.

The purpose of the Association is being a point of reference for all those interested in the baroque cello and related instruments (such as il basso di violino, il violoncino, il bassetto etc.) as well as musicians, philologists, researchers, violin makers, organists, string makers etc.

The Association organizes concerts, courses, workshops, recordings and and all that can help fulfil the above mentioned purpose of the Association. As well, the Association is developing and maintains an on-line library, iconography and virtual museum with pictures of several instruments from all over the world. ... "

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Added on: Aug 02, 2008 | Hits: 507

"This website has been created as an information-sharing network to facilitate communication among Canadian players of the viola da gamba. Whether you are new to the viol (curious for more information, wanting to rent or buy an instrument or find a teacher), an amateur (perhaps interested in attending a workshop or concert) or a professional (who wants to post information about an upcoming event or locate players in a different region), we hope this website will serve as a useful resource. Travelling across the country on holiday or for business? There may be other players in the area who'd like to get together to play informally, or perhaps there is a concert or workshop that fits within your schedule.

Who are we? The concept for a Canadian Viol Players information-sharing network was originally proposed at an informal meeting of the Canadian participants in the Viola da Gamba Society of America's annual Conclave, during the summer of 2005. In response to that demand, the information on this website was compiled by Joëlle Morton (Toronto), assisted by Sara Blake (Toronto), Peter Payzant (Halifax) and Chrissy Spencer (Vancouver). "

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Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 480

“Award-winning lutenist/guitarist Peter Croton is an active performer & recording artist as soloist & accompanist. In the press he has been called a "lyric poet of the lute" and has been praised for his "extroverted virtuosity of the highest degree". His compositions for voice & lute have been described as "challenging and refined... highly suited for inclusion in today's concert repertoire". With his duo partner Theresia Bothe he has performed and recorded a wide variety of music, including many of his original songs.

Peter teaches lute, continuo, and historical performance practice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and the Musikhochschule in Bern. His tutor, 'Figured Bass on the Classical Guitar - a practical approach based on historical principles', has been described by Konrad Ragossing as

"...a valuable contribution not only to the practice of  playing thoroughbass on the classical guitar, but above all to the expansion of knowledge of musical practice in a fundamental period in Western music - a  guide equally important for all guitarists, for teachers, students and concert artists".“

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Added on: Jun 29, 2010 | Hits: 477

"When harpist Ann Fierens completed her training at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, she was convinced that she should continue her orchestral career. She commenced her continuing education with the iWhen harpist Ann Fierens completed her training at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, she was convinced that she should continue her orchestral career. She commenced her continuing education with the intention to follow the same road and to discover the possibilities within the music scene in Belgium. She was given the opportunity to work with Dick van der Harst in an Oxalys production and het Muziek Lod and she played works by Debussy, Ravel, Glière and Fontyn as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra.

Her teacher Erika Waardenburg urged her to dedicate herself to the repertory from the classical period. She soon discovered that the eighteenth century represented a fascinating episode in harp history: the single action pedal harp was invented and soon entered a glorious period when it was introduced to the French court and the Concert Sprituel.

When Ann first met ‘her’ Erard, it was love at first sight. Fascinated by the rich sound of the instrument, she dived into libraries looking for old methods and writings which would teach her how to play and look after her instrument in the best way. The cooperation continued to improve and Ann developed a passion for music, musicians and instruments dating from the 18th and the early 19th century. ntention to follow the same road and to discover the possibilities within the music scene in Belgium. She was given the opportunity to work with Dick van der Harst in an Oxalys production and het Muziek Lod and she played works by Debussy, Ravel, Glière and Fontyn as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra. Her teacher Erika Waardenburg urged her to dedicate herself to the repertory from the classical period. She soon discovered that the eighteenth century represented a fascinating episode in harp history: the single action pedal harp was invented and soon entered a glorious period when it was introduced to the French court and the Concert Sprituel. When Ann first met ‘her’ Erard, it was love at first sight. Fascinated by the rich sound of the instrument, she dived into libraries looking for old methods and writings which would teach her how to play and look after her instrument in the best way. The cooperation continued to improve and Ann developed a passion for music, musicians and instruments dating from the 18th and the early 19th century. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 476

"Jordi Savall i Bernadet (born 1941, in Igualada, Catalonia) is a Catalan viol player, conductor, and composer. He has been one of the major figures in the field of early music since the 1970s, largely responsible for bringing the viol (viola da gamba) back to life on the stage. His repertory ranges from Medieval to Renaissance and Baroque music. " (Wikipedia) See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 474

The International Association of Harpists and Friends of the Harp. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 474

"Welcome to the website of the French Lute Society (S.F.L.), a community of lutenists, music lovers, luthiers, professors, amateurs, professionals ... In a word, people crazy enough to be interested in an instrument which is 4 or 5 centuries old, but whose rich repertoire and entrancing sound continue to charm hundreds, even thousands of people throughout France, Europe and the world! "

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Added on: Mar 11, 2008 | Hits: 468

" Raphaella Smits plays worldwide in her unique way eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Solo recitals as well as performances in duo with the most distinguished colleagues. Besides that stage-work she has made 16 albums, many of them being listed as indispensable to refined music lovers.

Raphaella Smits is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar and chamber music. In addition to her chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium, she regularly gives master classes in West and East Europe, in North and South America and in Japan.

Organizers of international music competitions ask Raphaella as a member of the jury because of her ability to listen and to judge so accurately. Here again she shows her talent to combine professional skills with a great sense of empathy.

Raphaella Smits is called quite rightly "une Grande Musicienne." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 19, 2008 | Hits: 467

Violone and Kontrabass performer. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 02, 2008 | Hits: 464

"Hopkinson Smith has been called the most moving of present day lutenists...he approaches the lute's universe with a musicality which goes far beyond the seemingly limited voice of his instrument. We invite you to explore on this website the magic of his lute and its music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 460

“ As early as during his studies he was awarded several prizes in guitar contests. He won the first prize in the national guitar competition in Kutná Hora with a special award for interpretation of Baroque music. He studied guitar at Prof. Stanislav Juřica at the Conservatory of Pardubice in 1993. He continued in the same class studying lute and finished his studies giving a graduate’s concert in Hradec Králové in June 1999.

These days he works as a director of Art and Music School in Havlíčkův Brod. He gives solo concerts and participates as a lutenist in various chamber choirs (LA VIA Přibyslav, Musica Fresca etc.). When interpreting Renaissance and Baroque songs accompanied by lute, he cooperates with the sopranos Jana Nováková, Helena Pellarová, Anna Hamadová (SK) and the mezzo-soprano Pavla Fendrichová. He organizes educative concerts called‚ Lute presents itself‘ for schoolchildren and students. He has participated in the audio recording The Country of singing (children’s choir, lute) and two multimedia CDs of the company Fenomen multimedia a.s. (1999-2005). German, Swiss, Slovenian and American audiences have had a chance to appreciate his mastery over and over again.

He takes an active part in senior courses in the guitar festivals in Mikulov (in the classes of e.g. P.Steidl, L. Witoszynský, J. Wagner), in Valtice (in the English lutenist B. Wright’s class) and in Slovenia (A. Kröper). He has gained valuable experience at the interpretation course of the Japanese lute-player S. Noiri. He was graduated from Academy of Old-time Music by the Philosophical Faculty of Masaryk University in Brno, in Miloslav Študent’s lute class.  ..“

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Added on: Dec 27, 2009 | Hits: 454

“Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Shira Kammen has spent well over half her life exploring the worlds of early and traditional music. A member for many years of the early music Ensembles Alcatraz and Project Ars Nova, and Medieval Strings, she has also worked with Sequentia, Hesperion XX, the Boston Camerata, the Balkan group Kitka, the Oregon, California and San Francisco Shakespeare Festivals, and is the founder of Class V Music, an
ensemble dedicated to performance on river rafting trips. She has performed and taught in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Israel, Morocco, and Japan, and on the Colorado, Rogue and Klamath Rivers.

Shira happily collaborated with singer/storyteller John Fleagle for fifteen years, and performs now with several new groups: a medieval ensemble, Fortune's Wheel: a new music group, Ephemeros; an eclectic ethnic band, Panacea; as well as frequent collaborations with performers such as storyteller/harpist Patrick Ball, sopranos Anne Azema , Susan Rode Morris, medieval music expert Margriet Tindemans, and in many theatrical and dance productions.

She has played on several television and movie soundtracks, including 'O', amodern high school-setting of Othello. Some of her original music can be heard in an independent film about fans of the work of JRR Tolkien. The strangest place Shira has played is in the elephant pit of the Jerusalem Zoo. She hopes to spend more time playing music of all kinds in the wilderness.“

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Added on: May 03, 2010 | Hits: 454

"Born in 1980 in Seville of Syrian father and Palestinian mother, he studied viola da gamba with Ventura Rico. He travels to Europe. In Milan he entered in the Accademia Internazionale della Musica and Switzerland entered the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana, perfecting his studies in viola da gamba. He received lessons from the best European musicians as Enrico Onofri, Lorenzo Ghielmi, Trevor Pinnock, Kees Boeke, Stefano Montanari, Diego Fasolis, and with Vittorio Ghielmi viol. He is a member of Accademia del Piacere, a group that specializes in music for viola da gamba. He is a member of Gruppo Seicento, Ishbilya Consort, Speculum, etc. and has worked with La Venexiana, Armoniosi Concerti, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Lyra and many others, with whom he has travelled around the world. Currently preparing a double disc for BRILLIANT CLASSICS on the family Forqueray. ... "

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Added on: Jul 31, 2008 | Hits: 450

“Inspired by the intriguing sound of the viola da gamba, the musicians Barbara Pfeifer, Sabine Kreutzberger, Adina Scheyhing and Franziska Finckh founded the viol consort Les Escapades in 2000. The name refers to intrigues or liaisons and gives the flavour of the ensemble’s programmes: besides their concerts as a viol quartet they perform frequently with other instrumentalists, singers, dancers and actors in unusual concerts which create space for a new listening experience. The four players studied at noted centres for Early Music (The Hague, Basel, Trossingen). Numerous solo appearances by individual members of the ensemble, as well as involvement in various chamber music projects, shape and enrich their teamwork in the consort. The consort has become well-known through recordings for Southwest German Radio (SWR) and SWR­TV, and collaboration in several choral projects. Ich will in Friede fahren, published by Christophorus records (Note 1) in March 2009, is the result of a long, intensive and stimulating collaboration with the countertenor Franz Vitzthum.“

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Added on: May 09, 2009 | Hits: 446

“Stephen Tyler began playing the hurdy gurdy in 1993, adding this instrument to the sound of the recently formed medieval music ensemble Misericordia, which he founded with Anne Marie Summers.  He also plays Gothic Harp, Cittern and Citole.

In 1996, they joined with melodeon player Julian Sutton to form The Wendigo, playing their own compositions inspired by the traditional dance music of central France. It was with two such pieces that Steve, with Anne Marie, won first place in the competition for duets at Saint Chartier festival in 1999, playing hurdy gurdy and bagpipes.

In 2001 he joined medieval music and dance theatre group Daughters of Elvin for their spectacular medieval circus show "Garden of Earthly Delights", commissioned by the National Trust, and continues to play with them.

With these bands he has travelled and performed throughout Europe and recorded numerous CDs, most recently "Passion, Pestilence and Polyphony" comprising music and song from the fourteenth century, with Misericordia.

In 2006 he was featured on Radio 3's Early Music Show on the hurdy gurdy, along with Nigel Eaton, and played at Anost Fete de la Vielle with Jon Swayne and Becky Price.

He is currently recording a second CD with Daughters of Elvin and working on new pieces, some of which involve obscure rhythms and multitracked hurdy gurdies with diverse other instruments. ”

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Added on: May 11, 2009 | Hits: 438

"A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Phillip W. Serna (double bass and viola da gamba) is an active and enthusiastic performer of early music, as well as the contemporary, solo, orchestral, and chamber repertoires. Studying with Jeffrey M. Hill, Dr. Serna earned his high school diploma from the Instrumental Music Department at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX. Afterwards, he earned his Bachelor of Music in double bass performance with Stephen Tramontozzi at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1998. He later completed his Master of Music at Northwestern University School of Music in 2001 as a Civic Orchestra of Chicago Graduate Fellow. In 2007, Phillip Serna received the Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University where he studied double bass with international soloist DaXun Zhang and formerly with Chicago Symphony Orchestra member Michael Hovnanian. Additionally, he studied viola da gamba with Newberry Consort founder Mary Springfels. " See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 16, 2008 | Hits: 434

"Paolo Zebolino musician, singer, actor and historian. His main instrument is the hurdy-gurdy, but he also plays the guitar and other stringed plucked instruments (saz, bouzouki, oud) or violin, fiddle bow. ... " (Google translation.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 25, 2008 | Hits: 433

“DANIEL THONON  was born in 1949, in Brussels. His father, a Jazz pianist, owns a cabarets where artists such as Léo Ferré and Georges Brassens hold concerts, as well as an art Gallery.

Daniel immigrates to Canada in 1963 and settles in Montreal, where he finishes his High School Studies. He goes on to study at McGill University at the Faculty of Music, then leaves for Switzerland, where he will study Harpsichord and Early Music at the Conservatory of Music in Geneva. Daniel Thonon then moves to Annecy, France, where he will spend the next ten years playing and producing himself in various concerts around Europe with his Early Music Group "Le Concert dans L'Oeuf". He produces four records with this group, while at the same time, researching various aspects of Musicology, Instrument building, and works for two years as a Music Therapist in a psychiatric institute. He composes and arranges various works for theatre and cinema, traditional music groups, rock, jazz, contemporary, etc.

In 1978, he goes to study music of the Arab/Andaluz tradition in Tlemcen, Algeria, and returns to Canada to settle in St-Marc-sur-Richelieu, where he now lives with his spouse and three children. Upon his return to Canada, he plays with the Ensemble Claude Gervaise for two years, then forms "Ad Vielle que Pourra", a traditional folk Music group, which will rapidly acquire international reputation. During its twelve years of existence, "Ad Vielle que Pourra" has played in hundreds of concerts each year, across North America and Europe. The group has recorded four CD's on the American Label "Green Linnet", which were sold all over the world.

After the dissolution of "Ad Vielle que Pourra" in 1999, Daniel Thonon forms the group "Montcorbier", which carries on the works of the former group. Daniel Thonon composes and arranges for other artists, tours as soloist on the accordion and baroque hurdy-gurdy, and pursues his various activities in musicology and instrument building. ..“

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Added on: Apr 23, 2010 | Hits: 433

"Like many lute players, Liz Kenny started out by playing the classical guitar. As a junior at the Royal Academy of Music she received intelligent guidance from Michael Lewin (now a colleague there) and came within reach of London concert life. Her first encounter with the lute was hearing a performance by Nigel North - later to be an inspiring teacher. After going down the byways of an English degree and back to the guitar, she returned to this sound. Discovering everything from the subtle feeling of playing on double strung lutes to the freedom of improvisation that playing continuo offered was an exhilarating and at times frustrating experience. Just as well she didn't know at the outset that playing the lute for a living would entail mastering and giving houseroom to a dozen different instruments …

Now her repertoire extends from the early 16th century through the domain of the theorbo and baroque lute to the 19th century, thanks to stumbling across a beautiful small French romantic guitar at a London dealer's.

Her career has always had a strong international bias since it began during the recession in the UK in the early 90s. She went to Paris instead and began a long association with William Christie's Les Arts Florissants, which has had a big influence on her performing style. Playing with an unusually diverse range of ensembles in France, Germany and the USA as well as at home has given her a wide perspective on different ways of making music. She is now committed to drawing on this in devising her own programmes. Groups she has appeared with regularly in over a decade of touring include Les Arts Florissants, Concerto Vocale, The English Concert, Tragicomedia, Teatro Lirico, Tira mi sú, The Gabrieli Consort, The Taverner Consort, The Parley of Instruments, The King's Consort, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Concordia. ..." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 16, 2008 | Hits: 427

"Gregorio Paniagua was born in Madrid. At 16,he was named Captain of the Real Madrid Junior Basketball team by coach P.Ferrandiz. Medical studies at the Complutense University and the Jiménez Diaz Foundation. Received his first lessons in painting from his grandmother Dña. María de Calderón-a pupil of Vicente Lopez-pupil of Goya. Violoncello at the Royal Conservatory under the cathedra of Don Ricardo Vivó. Viola da gamba with August Wenzinger, Director of Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Orchestral Direction under Maestro Sergiu Celibidache. An expert in ancient music and early instruments,particulary the vihuela-lute-hurdy gurdy, and viola da gamba. Founded ATRIVM MVSICAE de Madrid in 1964. In his private workshop,has reproduced musical instruments based on musicological researches into manuscripts-reliefs-sculptures-pottery and vase paitings from classical Greek to the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance & Barroco periods of Spain and Europe. Painting expositions in Madrid-Moxacar-Almeria-Valladolid-S.Lorenzo de El Escorial-Including a private exhibition at the Juana Mordó Art Gallery. As Director of ATRIVM MVSICAE, has performed in Europe-América-Asia and Australia. Frecuent Collaborator in ancient music courses in Spanish and international universities and guest soloist performer in auditoriums, temples, cathedrals, theatres and museums. His recordings have rated excellent reviews and achieved various awards, notably the Gold Record Award presented at the Japan International Art Festival,Tokyo 1971 for "Cantigas de Santa María- Alfonso X El Sabio". Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 426

"The American-born lutenist Jacob Heringman studied with Jakob Lindberg at the Royal College of Music in London, and later with Pat O'Brien in New York.

Based in England since 1987, he has established himself as one of the world’s most respected and most innovative solo lute players, and as a much sought-after ensemble player performing regularly throughout Europe and North and South America, and making many CD and radio recordings of medieval and renaissance music with leading English ensembles, including The Rose Consort of Viols, Fretwork, Musicians of the Globe, The Kings Singers, The New London Consort, Virelai and The Dufay Collective.

As a continuo player, Jacob Heringman performed and recorded with The King's Consort, The English Baroque Soloists, The Parley of Instruments and The Taverner Consort, among others. In 1993, he left the continuo circuit to focus on renaissance solo and ensemble projects.

Jacob's playing is also to be heard on the soundtracks of many Hollywood films (most recently, Harry Potter III and Kingdom of Heaven), and occasionally on pop albums (most recently, Joni Mitchell's Travelogue). " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 425

“I was born in 1983 in Israel, raised in the city of Karmiel, where I started to study Guitar with Erez Suto. Beside my late grandfather, who played the Oud, the was not much connection between my family and music. In my early twenties I relocated to the small town Kiryat-Tivon in where I still live today.

I started to learn Lute and early music and became a student of Dr. Levi Sheptovitsky and a student in Thomas Edison State College, New Jersey where I study for my B.A. in Music. My goal is to be able to teach young children on the importance of music to our life, as I came to learn and as many before me learned.


As you may already understood, I see music and art as the basic building blocks of our civilization and these building blocks must be maintained to keep the civilization alive. ..“

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Added on: Mar 30, 2010 | Hits: 422

"Masako Art (née Fujimura), began to play harp after long years of piano. After the university, she took historical harp lessons from William Taylor in Scotland and began her studies in medieval and renaissance music at Schola Cantorum in Basel, which she finished with a diploma in Baroque harp in 2004. Currently she has been in the class of Mara Galassi in Milan. Masako took part in opera productions with Jean-Claude Malgoire in Staatsoper Stuttgart, Theatre Lyrique de Tourcoing and Theatre Champs Elysee and with René Jacobs in Innsbrucker Festwochen, Theater an der Wien and Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin, as well as in diverse baroque orchestras and chamber ensembles. She participated in recordings including those with New London Consort (Frottole), Luca Scandali and Stefano Molardi (Giovanni Maria Trabaci), and with Il Vero Modo (Arcadia, Love Letters) and in CD/DVD "L'Orfeo" with Le Grand Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy, as well as radio/TV recordings by DRS, ORF, 3SAT, arte and FranceMusique. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 421

"Jakob Lindberg was born in Djursholm in Sweden and developed his first passionate interest in music through the Beatles. He started to play the guitar and soon became interested in the classical repertoire. From the age of fourteen he studied with Jörgen Rörby who also gave him his first tuition on the lute. After reading music at Stockholm University he went to London to study at the Royal College of Music. Here he further developed his knowledge of the lute repertoire under the guidance of Diana Poulton and decided towards the end of his studies to concentrate on renaissance and baroque music. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 418

“Over the past decade Edin Karamazov has established himself as today’s most exciting and charismatic player of the lute, garnering rave reviews and critical acclaim across Europe and America for his dazzlingly virtuosic and emotionally committed performances of an adventurous repertoire that ranges from sixteenth-century classics to the music of today.

Edin Karamazov began his musical career as a classical guitarist before taking up the Baroque lute, which he studied at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basle, Switzerland.

He made his solo debut as a lutenist in 1998. Significantly, it was as a last-minute substitute for the legendary Julian Bream, the player who had single-handedly led the modern revival of interest in the lute a generation earlier. ..“

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Added on: May 20, 2009 | Hits: 418