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Ensemble

 

The Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Classical and Romantic periods on period instruments. The ensemble was founded in 2006 by five musicians who shared a passion for historical performance practice and a desire to explore the rich repertoire of chamber music written for the fortepiano and other period instruments. The founding members of the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet were pianist and artistic director Florian Birsak, violinist Raimund Lissy, violist Markus Placci, cellist Martin Rummel, and clarinetist Johannes Gmeinder. All five musicians were already established performers in the field of historical performance practice, having studied with some of the leading figures in the field and performed with major ensembles and orchestras around the world. The ensemble takes its name from the Czech town of Nepomuk, which is famous for its Baroque church and bridge. The town is also associated with the patron saint of Bohemia, St. John of Nepomuk, who is said to have been martyred by King Wenceslaus IV in the 14th century. The name Nepomuk thus reflects the ensemble's interest in the music of the Baroque and Classical periods, as well as its commitment to exploring the cultural and historical context of the music it performs. Since its founding, the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet has become one of the leading ensembles in the field of historical performance practice. The ensemble has performed at major festivals and concert series throughout Europe and North America, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York, and the Wigmore Hall in London. One of the highlights of the ensemble's career was its performance of Mozart's Quintet for Piano and Winds in E-flat major, K. 452, at the Salzburg Festival in 2010. The performance was widely praised for its clarity, precision, and expressive power, and was hailed as a model of historical performance practice. The ensemble's recording of the same work, released on the MDG label in 2011, was also highly acclaimed, receiving a Diapason d'Or award and a Gramophone Editor's Choice award. Another notable performance by the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet was its collaboration with the renowned mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli in a program of Mozart and Haydn arias at the Salzburg Whitsun Festival in 2014. The ensemble's sensitive and nuanced accompaniment was praised for its ability to support Bartoli's virtuosic singing without overpowering it, and the performance was widely regarded as one of the highlights of the festival. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and has developed a series of educational programs for schools and community groups. The ensemble's members are also active as teachers and scholars, and have published numerous articles and books on historical performance practice and the music of the Classical and Romantic periods. Overall, the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet is a highly respected and influential ensemble in the field of historical performance practice. Its commitment to exploring the cultural and historical context of the music it performs, as well as its dedication to education and outreach, have made it a model for other ensembles in the field.

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