Role

:

Ensemble

 

Concerto delle Viole is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music. The ensemble was founded in 1995 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument that was popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The founding members of Concerto delle Viole were all accomplished musicians who had studied at some of the most prestigious music schools in Europe. They included Paolo Pandolfo, Vittorio Ghielmi, Guido Balestracci, and Rolf Lislevand. These musicians had all performed with other early music ensembles, but they wanted to create a group that would focus specifically on the viola da gamba. The ensemble's name, Concerto delle Viole, is Italian for "concert of viols." The viola da gamba was often played in ensembles of multiple instruments, and these groups were known as "consorts" or "concerts" of viols. The name of the ensemble reflects this tradition. Concerto delle Viole quickly gained a reputation for their virtuosic performances and their innovative interpretations of early music. They were particularly known for their ability to bring out the expressive qualities of the viola da gamba, which was often considered a more subdued instrument than its cousin, the violin. One of the highlights of Concerto delle Viole's early career was their performance at the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 1996. This festival is one of the most prestigious early music festivals in the world, and Concerto delle Viole's performance was widely praised for its technical skill and emotional depth. In the years that followed, Concerto delle Viole continued to perform at major early music festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and North America. They also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including "La Folia" and "Tous les Matins du Monde," which featured music from the French Baroque period. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was their collaboration with the French composer and conductor Jordi Savall. Savall is one of the most respected figures in the early music world, and he has worked with many of the top ensembles and soloists in the field. Concerto delle Viole and Savall performed together at the Cité de la Musique in Paris in 2001, in a program that featured music from the Spanish Baroque period. Concerto delle Viole has also been recognized with several awards and honors over the years. In 1998, they were awarded the Diapason d'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in the classical music world, for their recording of "La Folia." They were also awarded the Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros in 2000 for their recording of "Tous les Matins du Monde." Despite their success, Concerto delle Viole has remained committed to their original mission of exploring the expressive possibilities of the viola da gamba. They continue to perform and record music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and they have inspired a new generation of musicians to take up this beautiful and underappreciated instrument.

More....