LeStrange Viols is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music, particularly music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble was founded in 1995 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for the unique sound and repertoire of the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument that was popular in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The founding members of LeStrange Viols were John Mark Rozendaal, Lisa Terry, and Loren Ludwig, all of whom were accomplished viola da gamba players with extensive experience in early music performance. Over the years, the ensemble has expanded to include other musicians, including violinists, cellists, and keyboard players, as well as guest artists from around the world. One of the hallmarks of LeStrange Viols is its commitment to authenticity in performance. The ensemble uses period instruments and plays music in the style and manner that it would have been performed in the time it was written. This attention to detail has earned the ensemble a reputation for excellence in early music performance, and it has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in the world. One of the highlights of LeStrange Viols' career was its performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2003. The festival is one of the largest and most important early music events in the world, and the ensemble's performance was widely praised for its virtuosity and musicality. The ensemble has also performed at other major festivals, including the Berkeley Early Music Festival, the Vancouver Early Music Festival, and the Tage Alter Musik festival in Regensburg, Germany. In addition to its live performances, LeStrange Viols has also recorded several albums of early music. Its debut album, "The Spirit of Gambo," was released in 1998 and featured music by the Dutch composer Johannes Schenck. The album was widely praised for its sensitive and expressive performances, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading early music groups in the world. Over the years, LeStrange Viols has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 2001, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Noah Greenberg Award by the American Musicological Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the performance of early music. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Chamber Music Performance and Best Classical Album. Despite its success and acclaim, LeStrange Viols remains committed to its mission of bringing the music of the past to life for modern audiences. The ensemble continues to perform and record music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and it remains one of the most respected and admired early music ensembles in the world.

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