Country

:

Belgium

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Ricercar Consort is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing early music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble was founded in 1980 by Philippe Pierlot, a Belgian cellist and conductor, who remains its artistic director to this day. Pierlot had a vision of creating an ensemble that would explore the rich and diverse repertoire of early music, using period instruments and historically informed performance practices. He assembled a group of like-minded musicians, many of whom were his colleagues from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, and named the ensemble after the ricercar, a type of instrumental composition from the Renaissance period. The original members of Ricercar Consort included Pierlot on the viola da gamba, François Fernandez and François Joubert-Caillet on the violins, and Bernard Foccroulle on the harpsichord. Over the years, the ensemble has expanded and contracted depending on the repertoire and the availability of musicians, but it has always maintained a core group of players who are dedicated to the ensemble's mission. One of the hallmarks of Ricercar Consort's performances is their attention to detail and authenticity. The ensemble uses period instruments, such as the viola da gamba, the lute, and the harpsichord, and strives to recreate the sound and style of the music as it would have been heard in its original context. This approach has earned the ensemble a reputation for excellence and has led to numerous awards and accolades. One of the highlights of Ricercar Consort's career was their recording of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach's sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord. The recording, which was released in 2004, was hailed as a masterpiece of early music performance and won several awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Choc du Monde de la Musique. Another notable performance by Ricercar Consort was their collaboration with the French choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker on a production of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. The production, which premiered in 2010, featured the ensemble performing the music live while the dancers performed a contemporary interpretation of the Passion story. The production was widely praised for its innovative approach and was performed to sold-out audiences around the world. In addition to their performances and recordings, Ricercar Consort has also been involved in educational and outreach programs. The ensemble has conducted masterclasses and workshops for young musicians and has collaborated with schools and community organizations to bring early music to a wider audience. Throughout their career, Ricercar Consort has remained committed to their mission of exploring and celebrating the rich heritage of early music. Their dedication to authenticity and excellence has earned them a place among the world's leading ensembles in the field of early music, and their performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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