London Baroque

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

London Baroque is an early music ensemble that has existed since 1978 and is one of the most renowned ensembles in the field of historical performance practice of baroque chamber music .

History and effectiveness

The ensemble was founded in 1978 by the Austrian violinist Ingrid Seifert and the English cellist Charles Medlam, initially as a trio together with the harpsichordist John Toll . In 1984 Richard Gwilt (violin and viola) joined as a fourth permanent member. Toll was replaced by Lars Ulrik Mortensen in 1988, followed by Richard Egarr in 1991 , Terence Charlston in 1995 and Stephen Devine on the harpsichord in 2007 . When London Baroque appears with other soloists or in a larger line-up, Charles Medlam acts as a conductor.

Other artists who worked for the London Baroque at times are Anne Röhrig (violin, 1983–1984) and Tim Cronen (viola).

The members of London Baroque play period instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries. Her repertoire includes works from the end of the 16th century to the Viennese Classical period , including numerous works by unknown composers.

The current (2008) line-up is: Ingrid Seifert (violin), Richard Gwilt (violin, viola), Irmgard Schaller (violin, viola), Charles Medlam (cello or bass viola da gamba) and Stephen Devine (harpsichord, organ). London Baroque often plays with a larger cast or works with other soloists, especially with the baroque soprano Emma Kirkby . To name but are also baroque trumpet as Michael Maisch and Niklas Eklund .

London Baroque quickly gained an international reputation. Critics praise the combination of virtuoso technique with great musical vitality and expressiveness as well as a perfection of the interplay that is based on the longstanding close collaboration between the musicians. Since its inception, the ensemble has given an average of around 50 concerts a year. In addition to many radio and television appearances, it has made concert tours to numerous European countries, the USA, Canada, Japan and Korea and has performed at many well-known festivals (including the Edinburgh Festival , the Bath International Music Festival and the Salzburg Festival ).

In the 80s and 90s, London Baroque released more than 20 recordings on Harmonia Mundi France. Her recordings have been on the Swedish label BIS Records since 2000 . For Harmonia Mundi, London Baroque u. a. recorded the trio sonatas by Corelli , Handel , Purcell , William Lawes , Jean-Marie Leclair and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach , the harpsichord concertos by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach and all works for strings by Johann Pachelbel .

Discography

Recordings at BIS

  • Trade in Italy. Solo cantatas (with Emma Kirkby, soprano). June 2008. TO SACD-1695.
  • The Trio Sonata in 17th-Century Germany (works by J. Vierdanck, N. a Kempis, J. Schmelzer, D. Becker, J. Rosenmüller, M. Weckmann, C. Hacquart, D. Buxtehude, JK Kerll, HIF Biber) . March 2008. BIS CD-1545
  • Jean-Philippe Rameau, André Campra: French cantatas. (Rameau: Les Amants trahis / Aquilon et Orithie / Thetis / Air a boire; Campra: Les Femmes). With Peter Harvey, baritone, and Philippa Hyde, soprano. March 2007. TO CD-1495.
  • The Trio Sonata in 17th-Century France (with works by J.-B. Lully, JN Geoffroy, L. Couperin, F. Couperin, G. Le Roux, L.-N. Clérambault, M. Marais, J.-F . Rebel). April 2005. TO CD-1465.
  • Stravaganze Napoletane. Music for baroque ensemble (works by F. Mancini, A. Corelli, D. Sarri, A. Scarlatti, F. Barbella, D. Gallo, J. Ravencroft). August 2004. TO CD-1395.
  • The Trio Sonata in 17th-Century England (works by O. Gibbons, J. Coprario, W. Lawes, J. Jenkins, M. Locke, Ch. Simpson, J. Blow, H. Purcell). November 2003. TO CD-1455.
  • François Couperin: Apothéoses (L'Apothéose de Corelli, L'Apothéose de Lully, La Sultane, La Steinkerque). July 2003. TO CD-1275.
  • Jean-Philippe Rameau: Harpsichord Concerts No. 1–5 (Pièces de clavecin en concert). February 2003. TO CD-1385.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonatas No. 1–6 BWV 525–530 (trans. R. Gwilt). July 2002. TO CD-1345.
  • Henry Purcell: Fantazias / Pavan / Chacony / In nomine. October 2001. TO CD-1165.
  • Georg Friedrich Händel: Sacred Cantatas (Salve Regina, O qualis de coelo sonus, Trio Sonate in G minor, Coelestis dum spirat aura, Laudate pueri (Psalm 112)) with Emma Kirkby (soprano). March 2001. TO CD-1065.
  • Christmas Music (JS Bach: Open my whole heart; Air from Suite No. 3; Prepare for yourself, Jesus, nor itzo the way; PF Böddecker: Natus est Jesus; A. Corelli: Concerto grosso op. 6, No. 8; J. Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue; A. Scarlatti: Cantata Pastorale, Cantata per la Natale) with Emma Kirkby (soprano). September 2000. TO CD-1135.
  • Antonio Vivaldi: Suonate da Camera a Tre op. August 1, 2000. TO CD-1025/26.

Recordings at Harmonia Mundi

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Church Sonatas. HMC 1901137.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Chamber Sonatas. HMG 501137
  • Henry Purcell: Trio Sonatas. HMX 2901438.39
  • Jean-Marie Leclair: Overtures and Trio Sonata Op. 13. 1998. HMC 901646.
  • Jean-Marie Leclair: Sonatas op.4.HMC 901617.
  • Johann Christian Friedrich Bach: Trio Sonatas. HMC 901587.
  • Wilhelm Friedemann Bach: Harpsichord Concerts. HMC 901558.
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Trio Sonatas. HMC 901511.
  • William Lawes: Setts a 3, Setts a 4. HMC 901423.
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Viola Sonatas. HMC 901410.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerts KV 107. HMC 901395.
  • Georg Friedrich Händel: Trio Sonatas op.5.HMC 901389.
  • Georg Friedrich Händel: Trio Sonatas op.2.HMC 901379.
  • Arcangelo Corelli: Trio Sonatas / Concerto grosso in G minor “Fatto per la notte di natale”. HMC 901342-5.
  • Henry Purcell: Chamber music (Sonatas in three and four parts, Fantasias). HMC 901327.
  • John Blow: "Venus and Adonis". HMC 901276.
  • Marc Antoine Charpentier: Musique de théâtre pour “Andromède” et pour “Circe”. HMC 901244.
  • Johann Heinrich Schmelzer, Georg Muffat: Sonatas (Sonata V a 5, Sonata per violine e basso). HMC 901220.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonatas. HMC 901173.
  • Johann Pachelbel: Sonatas, Partitas, Canon and Gigue. 1995. LP: HMA 1951539, CD: HMC 901539.
  • Johann Theile: St. Matthew Passion with Mary Beverly (soprano), Eva Nässen (mezzo-soprano), Kurt Equiluz, Rogers Covey-Crump, John Potter (tenor), Stephen Varcoe, Harry van der Kamp (bass), London Baroque, Charles Medlam, Conductor. HMA 1951159.
  • Marin Marais: La Gamme. LP: HMA 1951105, CD: HMC 901105.
  • Georg Friedrich Handel: Aci, Galatea e Polifemo / 3 sonatas for recorder a. Bc with Emma Kirkby (soprano), Carolyn Watkinson (alto), David Thomas (bass), Michel Piguet (recorder). LP: HMA 1901253.54, CD: HMC 901253.

Recordings at Hyperion Records

  • Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville (1711–1772): De Profundis & Venite, Exultemus. CD: Hyperion Records, 1987

Web links