Country

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United Kingdom

Genre

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Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music. The ensemble was founded in 1982 by Jeremy West, a British musician and scholar who was passionate about the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. West had previously played with other early music groups, but he felt that there was a need for an ensemble that focused specifically on the brass and wind instruments of the period. The name of the ensemble, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, is a reference to the instruments that were commonly used in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The sagbutt, or sackbut, is a type of trombone that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, while the cornett is a wind instrument that was used in both sacred and secular music. The founding members of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts were all accomplished musicians who shared West's passion for early music. They included Richard Cheetham, Susan Addison, Stephen Saunders, and Simon Munday, among others. Over the years, the ensemble has had many different members, but it has always maintained a high level of musical excellence. One of the highlights of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts' early career was their performance at the 1984 York Early Music Festival. The ensemble's performance of Giovanni Gabrieli's "In Ecclesiis" was particularly well-received, and it helped to establish the group's reputation as one of the leading early music ensembles in the world. Since then, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts has performed at many of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Salzburg Festival, and the BBC Proms. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, including the Academy of Ancient Music, the English Concert, and the Monteverdi Choir. One of the ensemble's most notable collaborations was with the Tallis Scholars, a renowned vocal ensemble that specializes in the performance of Renaissance music. His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts and the Tallis Scholars first worked together in 1987, and they have since performed together on many occasions. Their joint performances of works by composers such as Thomas Tallis and William Byrd have been widely praised for their beauty and authenticity. In addition to their live performances, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts has also recorded many albums of early music. Their recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Gramophone Award for Best Early Music Recording in 1993 for their album "Music for the Duke of Lerma." One of the reasons why His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts has been so successful is their commitment to authenticity. The ensemble uses period instruments and plays music in the style that it would have been performed in during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This attention to detail has earned them a reputation as one of the most authentic early music ensembles in the world. Another reason for the ensemble's success is their dedication to education. His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts has worked with many schools and universities to promote the study and performance of early music. They have also conducted masterclasses and workshops for aspiring musicians, helping to inspire the next generation of early music performers.

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