Country

:

United Kingdom

Period

:

Medieval

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

The Early Music Consort of London is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music. The ensemble was founded in 1967 by David Munrow, a British musician and scholar who was passionate about the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Munrow was a multi-talented musician who played a variety of instruments, including the recorder, crumhorn, and shawm. He was also a skilled conductor and musicologist who had a deep understanding of the historical context and performance practices of early music. Munrow assembled a group of like-minded musicians who shared his passion for early music, and together they formed the Early Music Consort of London. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for their innovative and engaging performances, which combined historical accuracy with a sense of musical vitality and spontaneity. The Early Music Consort of London's repertoire focused primarily on music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with a particular emphasis on English and European music from the 16th and 17th centuries. The ensemble's performances were characterized by their use of authentic period instruments and their commitment to historical performance practices, such as improvisation and ornamentation. One of the Early Music Consort of London's most notable performances was their 1976 recording of the music of the Elizabethan composer John Dowland. The album, entitled "The Art of the Dowland Lute," was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of early music. Over the years, the Early Music Consort of London collaborated with a number of other musicians and ensembles, including the Academy of Ancient Music and the Taverner Consort. They also performed at a number of prestigious venues and festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival and the Proms. Sadly, David Munrow passed away in 1976 at the age of 33, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking scholarship and innovative musical performance. However, the Early Music Consort of London continued to perform and record under the leadership of Munrow's former colleagues and collaborators. In 1980, the ensemble released a critically acclaimed recording of the music of the French composer Guillaume de Machaut, entitled "The Art of Courtly Love." The album featured a range of vocal and instrumental works from the 14th century, and showcased the ensemble's virtuosic musicianship and deep understanding of historical performance practices. In addition to their recordings, the Early Music Consort of London also performed extensively throughout the 1980s and 1990s, both in the UK and internationally. They continued to explore a wide range of early music repertoire, from medieval chant to Baroque opera, and remained committed to the principles of historical performance practice that had guided their work from the beginning. Today, the Early Music Consort of London remains one of the most respected and influential ensembles in the field of early music. Their recordings and performances continue to inspire and educate musicians and audiences alike, and their legacy lives on in the many musicians and scholars who have been influenced by their work.

More....