Capella de la Torre is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2005 by Katharina Bäuml, a German musician who is widely regarded as one of the leading performers of the shawm, a wind instrument that was popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Bäuml was born in Munich in 1979 and began playing the recorder at a young age. She later studied the shawm at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland, where she earned a degree in early music performance. After completing her studies, Bäuml began performing with various early music ensembles, including the Huelgas Ensemble and the Freiburger Barockorchester. In 2005, Bäuml founded Capella de la Torre with the goal of exploring the rich repertoire of Renaissance and Baroque music that was written for wind instruments. The ensemble takes its name from the Torre del Oro, a medieval tower in Seville, Spain, that was used to store gold and other treasures. The tower is also associated with the music of the Spanish Renaissance, which is a major focus of Capella de la Torre's repertoire. The ensemble's core members include Katharina Bäuml on shawm, cornetto, and recorder; Sarah Perl on viola da gamba and violone; and Tobias Schlierf on percussion. The ensemble also collaborates with a number of guest musicians, including singers, instrumentalists, and dancers. Capella de la Torre has performed at many of the world's leading early music festivals, including the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, and the Boston Early Music Festival. The ensemble has also toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, and has released several critically acclaimed recordings on the Sony Classical and Christophorus labels. One of the highlights of Capella de la Torre's career was its performance at the 2017 BBC Proms, one of the world's most prestigious classical music festivals. The ensemble performed a program of music by the Spanish composer Francisco Guerrero, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. The performance was widely praised by critics, with The Guardian describing it as "a thrilling and immersive experience." Capella de la Torre has also received numerous awards and accolades for its recordings and performances. In 2012, the ensemble won the Echo Klassik award for its recording of music by the German composer Johann Hermann Schein. The ensemble has also been nominated for several other major awards, including the Gramophone Award and the International Classical Music Award. In addition to its performances and recordings, Capella de la Torre is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and has collaborated with schools and community organizations to bring early music to a wider audience. Overall, Capella de la Torre is a highly respected and innovative ensemble that has made significant contributions to the field of early music. With its virtuosic performances, innovative programming, and commitment to education and outreach, the ensemble has established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the world of classical music.

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