Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Opera

 

Artek is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1985 by violinist and conductor Gwendolyn Toth. The ensemble is based in New York City and is known for its performances of Baroque and early Classical music. Toth, who studied at the Juilliard School and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland, founded Artek with the goal of exploring the rich repertoire of early music. She assembled a group of musicians who shared her passion for historically informed performance and began performing in churches and other venues around New York City. Over the years, Artek has grown to become one of the leading ensembles in the early music world. The ensemble's core members include Toth on violin, Daniel Swenberg on lute and theorbo, and Motomi Igarashi on viola da gamba. Other musicians are added as needed for specific performances. Artek has performed at major venues and festivals around the world, including the Boston Early Music Festival, the Utrecht Early Music Festival, and the Tage Alter Musik Regensburg. The ensemble has also collaborated with leading early music performers such as soprano Julianne Baird and harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper. One of Artek's most notable performances was its 2009 concert at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The concert, which was part of the library's "Concerts from the Library of Congress" series, featured music by Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries. The performance was praised by critics for its "impeccable musicianship" and "deeply felt interpretations." Artek has also received numerous awards and accolades for its recordings. The ensemble's 2007 recording of Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos" was named one of the top classical recordings of the year by The New York Times. The ensemble's recording of Heinrich Biber's "Mystery Sonatas" was also highly praised, with Gramophone magazine calling it "a recording of the highest quality." In addition to its performances and recordings, Artek is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for students and young musicians, and has worked with organizations such as the Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music. Overall, Artek has established itself as one of the premier ensembles in the early music world. With its commitment to historically informed performance and its impeccable musicianship, the ensemble continues to inspire audiences and musicians alike.

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