Role

:

Ensemble

 

Hermans Consort is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2010 by the Dutch conductor and harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder. The ensemble is named after the Dutch composer and organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, who was also known as "Herman" in his lifetime. The founding members of Hermans Consort were all accomplished musicians in their own right, and they shared a passion for performing early music on period instruments. In addition to Belder on harpsichord, the original lineup included Ryo Terakado on violin, Kaori Uemura on viola da gamba, and Menno van Delft on organ. Over the years, the ensemble has expanded and contracted depending on the repertoire and performance venue, but the core members have remained the same. In addition to Belder, Terakado, Uemura, and van Delft, the current lineup includes Mieneke van der Velden on viola da gamba and Tineke Steenbrink on organ. Hermans Consort has gained a reputation for its innovative and historically informed performances of Baroque and early Classical music. The ensemble uses period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound and style of the music as it would have been heard in its original context. One of the highlights of Hermans Consort's career was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 2012. The ensemble collaborated with the Netherlands Bach Society and the Netherlands Chamber Choir to present a historically accurate performance of the work, complete with period instruments and a choir of boys and men. The performance was widely praised for its authenticity and emotional power, and it earned Hermans Consort several awards and nominations. The ensemble was nominated for a Dutch Classical Music Award in the category of "Ensemble of the Year," and Belder was nominated for "Conductor of the Year." Another notable performance by Hermans Consort was its 2015 concert at the Utrecht Early Music Festival. The ensemble performed a program of music by Sweelinck, including his famous Fantasia Chromatica, which was played on a replica of the composer's own harpsichord. The concert was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to cement Hermans Consort's reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music. The ensemble has since performed at many other prestigious venues and festivals, including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, and the Early Music Festival in Bruges. In addition to its live performances, Hermans Consort has also released several acclaimed recordings. The ensemble's debut album, "Sweelinck: Keyboard Works," was released in 2011 and received widespread praise for its virtuosic performances and historical accuracy. Other notable recordings by Hermans Consort include "Bach: The Art of Fugue," which was released in 2014 and features the ensemble's signature blend of period instruments and modern scholarship. The album was praised for its clarity and precision, as well as its emotional depth and beauty. Overall, Hermans Consort is a unique and innovative ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the field of early music. With its commitment to historical accuracy and its passion for the music of the Baroque and early Classical periods, the ensemble has earned a loyal following and a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the world of classical music.

More....