The Moscow Old Music Chamber Ensemble is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque and early classical music. The ensemble was founded in 1990 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for historically informed performance practices and a desire to explore the rich repertoire of early music. The founding members of the ensemble included Natalia Korsakova (violin), Alexei Lubimov (harpsichord), Sergei Istomin (cello), and Alexei Zaitsev (viola da gamba). These musicians were all highly respected performers in their own right, with extensive experience playing with other ensembles and orchestras. From the beginning, the Moscow Old Music Chamber Ensemble was committed to performing on period instruments and using historically informed performance practices. This meant that the ensemble members studied the music of the Baroque and early classical periods in great detail, researching the original performance practices of the time and using period instruments to recreate the sound of the music as closely as possible. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional musicianship and their ability to bring the music of the past to life in a way that was both authentic and engaging. They began to perform regularly in Moscow and other cities throughout Russia, and soon gained a following of devoted fans. One of the highlights of the Moscow Old Music Chamber Ensemble's early career was their performance at the 1992 Festival of Early Music in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This festival is one of the most prestigious early music festivals in the world, and the ensemble's performance was widely praised for its virtuosity and authenticity. Over the years, the ensemble has continued to perform at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and the United States. They have collaborated with many other leading musicians and ensembles in the early music world, including Jordi Savall, Monica Huggett, and Andrew Lawrence-King. In addition to their live performances, the Moscow Old Music Chamber Ensemble has also recorded extensively. They have released numerous albums on major classical music labels such as Harmonia Mundi, ECM, and Carpe Diem Records. Their recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. One of the ensemble's most notable recordings is their 1995 album "Musique de Chambre," which features works by French Baroque composers such as Jean-Philippe Rameau and Marin Marais. This album was widely praised for its exquisite playing and its ability to capture the spirit of the French Baroque. Another highlight of the ensemble's career was their performance at the 2000 Salzburg Festival, where they performed Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos" to great acclaim. This performance was particularly notable for its use of period instruments and its adherence to historically informed performance practices. Today, the Moscow Old Music Chamber Ensemble continues to be one of the leading ensembles in the early music world. They have inspired countless musicians and audiences with their commitment to authenticity and their exceptional musicianship, and they remain a beloved fixture of the classical music scene.

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