Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Netherlands

Period

:

Medieval

Genre

:

Choral

 

Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1956 by Felix de Nobel, a Dutch conductor and musicologist. The ensemble is made up of students from the University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Conservatory, and it specializes in performing early music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The founding of Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students was inspired by the revival of interest in early music that was taking place in Europe in the mid-20th century. Felix de Nobel, who was a professor of musicology at the University of Amsterdam, saw an opportunity to create an ensemble that would explore the rich heritage of early music and bring it to a wider audience. The ensemble's first performance took place in 1956, and it was an immediate success. The group's unique sound, which was characterized by its use of period instruments and authentic performance practices, quickly gained a following among music lovers in Amsterdam and beyond. Over the years, Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students has had many members, but some of its most notable members include Ton Koopman, a renowned harpsichordist and conductor, and Gustav Leonhardt, a celebrated harpsichordist and early music specialist. One of the highlights of Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students' career was its performance at the 1964 Holland Festival, where it performed a program of music by the 16th-century composer Orlando di Lasso. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading early music groups in Europe. In the years that followed, Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students continued to perform at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and the United States. Some of its most notable performances include its 1970 performance at the Edinburgh Festival, where it performed a program of music by the 15th-century composer Guillaume Dufay, and its 1980 performance at the Salzburg Festival, where it performed a program of music by the 17th-century composer Heinrich Schütz. In addition to its many performances, Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1979, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Edison Award for its recording of music by the 16th-century composer Josquin des Prez. The ensemble has also been awarded the Prix Italia and the Grand Prix du Disque for its recordings. Today, Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students continues to perform and record music from the early music repertoire. The ensemble's commitment to authenticity and historical accuracy has made it one of the most respected and admired early music ensembles in the world.

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