Genre

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Chamber

 

Romanesca is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Baroque era. The ensemble was founded in 1989 by the British harpsichordist and conductor Andrew Manze, the American lutenist Nigel North, and the British cellist and gambist John Toll. The ensemble takes its name from the Romanesca, a popular chord progression used in Baroque music. Andrew Manze, Nigel North, and John Toll were all accomplished musicians in their own right before they came together to form Romanesca. Manze had studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and had performed with several prominent Baroque ensembles, including the Academy of Ancient Music and the English Concert. North had studied at Indiana University and had performed with the New York Pro Musica and the Consort of Musicke. Toll had studied at the Royal College of Music in London and had performed with the Academy of Ancient Music and the English Baroque Soloists. The three musicians came together with the idea of forming an ensemble that would specialize in performing music from the Baroque era on period instruments. They were particularly interested in exploring the music of lesser-known composers from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the works of more famous composers like Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. The ensemble's first performance was in 1989 at the Wigmore Hall in London. The concert was well-received, and the ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming. Over the years, the ensemble has performed at many of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Salzburg Festival, and the BBC Proms. One of the highlights of Romanesca's career was its recording of Bach's Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, which was released in 1995 on the Harmonia Mundi label. The recording was widely praised for its technical brilliance and emotional depth, and it helped to establish Romanesca as one of the leading Baroque ensembles of its time. Another notable performance by Romanesca was its 1997 concert at the Wigmore Hall, which featured a program of music by the Italian composer Giovanni Battista Fontana. The concert was a tribute to Fontana, who was a contemporary of Monteverdi and one of the pioneers of the Baroque style. The ensemble's performance was praised for its energy and passion, and it helped to bring Fontana's music to a wider audience. In addition to its performances and recordings, Romanesca has also been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1996, the ensemble was awarded the Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Instrumental Recording for its recording of Bach's Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord. The ensemble has also been nominated for several other Gramophone Awards, as well as for a Classical Brit Award. Today, Romanesca continues to perform and record music from the Baroque era, and its members are widely regarded as some of the leading interpreters of this repertoire. The ensemble's current members include Andrew Manze (violin), Nigel North (lute), John Toll (cello and viola da gamba), and Richard Egarr (harpsichord). Together, they continue to explore the rich and varied world of Baroque music, bringing new life to this timeless repertoire.

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