Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Vocal

 

King's Noyse is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble was founded in 1988 by David Douglass and Andrew Lawrence-King, two accomplished musicians who shared a passion for early music. David Douglass, a violinist, and Andrew Lawrence-King, a harpist, had both established themselves as leading performers in the early music scene before they decided to form King's Noyse. They were joined by a group of talented musicians who shared their enthusiasm for historical performance practices and authentic instruments. The ensemble's name, King's Noyse, is a reference to the royal court ensembles of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, which were known for their elaborate and ornate music. King's Noyse sought to recreate the sound and style of these ensembles, using period instruments and historical performance techniques. From the beginning, King's Noyse was committed to exploring the rich and diverse repertoire of early music. The ensemble's performances included works by well-known composers such as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi, as well as lesser-known composers from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. One of the highlights of King's Noyse's early career was their performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 1991. The festival, which is one of the largest early music events in the world, featured King's Noyse in a concert of Italian Baroque music. The ensemble's virtuosic playing and dynamic stage presence earned them critical acclaim and helped to establish their reputation as one of the leading early music ensembles in the United States. Over the years, King's Noyse has continued to perform at major festivals and concert halls around the world. They have collaborated with some of the most respected early music performers and ensembles, including Jordi Savall, Monica Huggett, and the Tallis Scholars. In addition to their live performances, King's Noyse has also recorded extensively. Their recordings have received numerous awards and critical acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for their album "The King's Delight: 17th Century Ballads for Voice and Violin." One of the unique aspects of King's Noyse's performances is their use of historical instruments. The ensemble's members play a variety of instruments, including violins, viols, lutes, harps, and recorders, that are modeled on instruments from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This attention to historical accuracy allows King's Noyse to recreate the sound and style of early music in a way that is both authentic and engaging. Another hallmark of King's Noyse's performances is their improvisational approach. Many of the pieces they perform were originally intended to be improvised, and the ensemble's members are skilled at creating spontaneous variations and embellishments that add to the richness and complexity of the music. In addition to their performances and recordings, King's Noyse is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble has conducted workshops and masterclasses for students and amateur musicians, and they have worked with schools and community organizations to promote early music and historical performance practices. Overall, King's Noyse has had a significant impact on the early music scene in the United States and around the world.

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