Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

The Leonhardt Consort is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 1977 by the Dutch harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt, who was a leading figure in the early music movement. The ensemble has since become one of the most respected and influential groups in the field of Baroque music. Gustav Leonhardt was born in 1928 in 's-Graveland, Netherlands. He began his musical studies at the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he studied piano, organ, and harpsichord. He later studied with the renowned harpsichordist Ralph Kirkpatrick in the United States. Leonhardt was a pioneer in the early music movement, which sought to perform music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods on period instruments and in historically informed styles. In 1977, Leonhardt founded the Leonhardt Consort, which was initially made up of a small group of musicians who shared his passion for early music. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and its commitment to historical accuracy. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi. The Leonhardt Consort has had several main members over the years, including Gustav Leonhardt himself, who served as the ensemble's artistic director until his death in 2012. Other key members have included the violinist Jaap Schröder, the cellist Anner Bylsma, and the flutist Barthold Kuijken. These musicians were all pioneers in the early music movement and helped to establish the Leonhardt Consort as one of the leading ensembles in the field. One of the highlights of the Leonhardt Consort's career was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 1983. This performance, which was conducted by Gustav Leonhardt, was widely praised for its emotional depth and historical accuracy. The ensemble also performed Handel's Messiah in 1992, which was another major success. The Leonhardt Consort has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1997, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Edison Award for its recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. The ensemble has also been recognized for its contributions to the early music movement, including its role in popularizing the use of period instruments and historically informed performance practices. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Leonhardt Consort has also been involved in educational activities. The ensemble has given masterclasses and workshops around the world, and has worked with young musicians to help them develop their skills in early music performance. Despite the death of Gustav Leonhardt in 2012, the Leonhardt Consort continues to perform and record today. The ensemble is now led by the violinist and conductor Sigiswald Kuijken, who was a longtime collaborator of Gustav Leonhardt. The ensemble's commitment to historical accuracy and high-quality performances remains as strong as ever, and it continues to be one of the most respected and influential ensembles in the field of Baroque music.

More....