Country

:

United Kingdom

Period

:

Renaissance

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Musica Reservata was a pioneering early music ensemble that was founded in London in 1959. The group was known for its innovative approach to performing Renaissance and Baroque music, and for its use of authentic period instruments and vocal techniques. The ensemble was founded by Michael Morrow, a musicologist and conductor who had studied at the Royal College of Music in London and the Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland. Morrow was passionate about early music and was determined to bring it to a wider audience. He assembled a group of like-minded musicians who shared his vision, and Musica Reservata was born. The ensemble's name, which means "reserved music" in Latin, reflected its commitment to performing music that had been largely forgotten or overlooked. Morrow and his colleagues believed that early music was an important part of our cultural heritage, and that it deserved to be heard and appreciated by modern audiences. Musica Reservata quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and its innovative approach to early music. The group's members were all highly skilled musicians who were dedicated to researching and recreating the music of the past. They used authentic period instruments and vocal techniques, and they worked hard to understand the historical context in which the music was created. One of the highlights of Musica Reservata's early career was a series of concerts at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1960. These concerts were a huge success, and they helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading early music groups in the UK. The group also performed at other prestigious venues, including the Royal Festival Hall and the Purcell Room. In 1962, Musica Reservata released its first album, which was titled "Music from the Time of Christopher Columbus". This album was a groundbreaking achievement, as it was one of the first recordings of Renaissance music to use authentic period instruments and vocal techniques. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Musica Reservata as a leading force in the early music revival. Over the years, Musica Reservata continued to perform and record music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The group's repertoire included works by composers such as William Byrd, John Dowland, Claudio Monteverdi, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The ensemble also collaborated with other musicians and groups, including the Early Music Consort of London and the Academy of Ancient Music. One of the highlights of Musica Reservata's later career was a series of concerts at the Edinburgh Festival in 1971. These concerts were a huge success, and they helped to establish the ensemble as an international force in the early music world. The group also performed at other major festivals, including the Bath Festival and the Holland Festival. Musica Reservata received many awards and accolades over the years. In 1964, the group was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for its recording of "Music from the Time of Christopher Columbus". The ensemble also received the Edison Award in 1970 for its recording of Monteverdi's "Vespers". In addition, Musica Reservata was awarded the Order of Merit by the Italian government in recognition of its contributions to the revival of early music. Despite its many achievements, Musica Reservata disbanded in the late 1970s.

More....