Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

Monteverdi-Orchester München is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1953 by conductor and harpsichordist, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden. The ensemble is named after the Italian composer, Claudio Monteverdi, who is considered one of the pioneers of opera and a major figure in the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music. The founding of Monteverdi-Orchester München was a response to the growing interest in early music and historically informed performance practices in Germany. Schmidt-Gaden, who was a student of the renowned harpsichordist, Wanda Landowska, was passionate about reviving the music of the Baroque era and bringing it to a wider audience. The ensemble's early members included some of the most talented musicians in Germany, including violinist Franzjosef Maier, cellist Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and oboist Hans-Martin Linde. These musicians shared Schmidt-Gaden's vision of performing Baroque music on period instruments and with historically informed techniques. One of the highlights of Monteverdi-Orchester München's early career was their performance of Monteverdi's opera, L'Orfeo, in 1955. This was one of the first performances of the opera using period instruments and was widely praised for its authenticity and musicality. The ensemble went on to perform many other Baroque operas, including works by Handel, Purcell, and Rameau. In addition to their opera performances, Monteverdi-Orchester München also became known for their performances of Baroque instrumental music. They recorded several albums of music by Bach, Vivaldi, and Telemann, which were highly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Over the years, Monteverdi-Orchester München has undergone several changes in membership, but has remained committed to the principles of historically informed performance. Some of the ensemble's most notable members have included violinist Reinhard Goebel, cellist Anner Bylsma, and harpsichordist Andreas Staier. In 1990, Monteverdi-Orchester München was awarded the Echo Klassik award for their recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. This was one of several awards that the ensemble has received over the years, including the Diapason d'Or and the Gramophone Award. Today, Monteverdi-Orchester München continues to be a leading ensemble in the field of historically informed performance. They have performed at major music festivals around the world, including the Salzburg Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the world's most renowned conductors, including Nikolaus Harnoncourt, John Eliot Gardiner, and Philippe Herreweghe. In conclusion, Monteverdi-Orchester München is a classical music ensemble that has made significant contributions to the revival of Baroque music and historically informed performance practices. Founded in 1953 by Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden, the ensemble has attracted some of the most talented musicians in Germany and has been recognized with numerous awards for their recordings and performances. Today, Monteverdi-Orchester München remains a leading ensemble in the field of early music and continues to inspire audiences around the world with their authentic and passionate performances.

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