Country

:

United Kingdom

Genre

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Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

The Cardinall's Musick is a British classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Renaissance music. The ensemble was founded in 1989 by Andrew Carwood, who remains its artistic director and principal conductor to this day. Carwood, a tenor, had previously sung with the Tallis Scholars and the Choir of Westminster Abbey before deciding to form his own ensemble. He named the group after Thomas Wolsey, the 16th-century English cardinal who was a patron of the arts and a lover of music. The Cardinall's Musick began as a small group of singers who performed mainly in churches and small venues around London. However, the ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and its commitment to exploring lesser-known works from the Renaissance period. Over the years, the ensemble has grown in size and scope, and now includes a core group of ten singers, as well as instrumentalists who perform on period instruments such as viols, lutes, and recorders. The Cardinall's Musick has recorded extensively, with over 40 albums to its name. Its recordings have received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Gramophone Award for Early Music in 2005 and 2010. One of the ensemble's most notable recordings is its complete cycle of the sacred music of William Byrd, which was released in 2010. The recording was praised for its clarity and precision, as well as its emotional depth and spiritual intensity. In addition to its recordings, The Cardinall's Musick has performed at major venues and festivals around the world, including the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Utrecht Early Music Festival. One of the ensemble's most memorable performances was its 2009 concert at the Sistine Chapel in Rome, where it performed music by Palestrina and other Renaissance composers. The concert was attended by Pope Benedict XVI and was broadcast live on Italian television. The Cardinall's Musick has also collaborated with other leading musicians and ensembles, including the viol consort Fretwork and the early music ensemble The Sixteen. In addition to its performances and recordings, The Cardinall's Musick is committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young singers and instrumentalists, and has worked with schools and community groups to promote the appreciation of Renaissance music. Overall, The Cardinall's Musick is widely regarded as one of the leading ensembles in the field of Renaissance music. Its commitment to excellence, its passion for exploring lesser-known works, and its dedication to education and outreach have made it a beloved and respected institution in the world of classical music.

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