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Ensemble

 

Quintessential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 1995 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for early music and a desire to explore the rich repertoire of the period. The founding members of the ensemble were John Foster, William Dongois, and Michael Collver, all of whom were accomplished musicians with extensive experience in early music performance. Foster, a tenor, was a founding member of the Tallis Scholars and had performed with many other early music ensembles. Dongois, a cornettist, had performed with the Gabrieli Consort and Players and other leading early music ensembles. Collver, a sackbut player, had performed with the Boston Camerata and other early music ensembles. The ensemble's name reflects its focus on the two main instruments of the Renaissance and Baroque periods: the sackbut, a type of trombone, and the cornett, a wind instrument that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. The ensemble also includes other instruments such as the viola da gamba, the lute, and the harpsichord, depending on the repertoire being performed. Since its founding, Quintessential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble has become one of the leading early music ensembles in the United States, known for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming. The ensemble has performed at major venues and festivals throughout the country, including the Boston Early Music Festival, the Berkeley Early Music Festival, and the New York Early Music Festival. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its appearance at the 2008 Boston Early Music Festival, where it performed a program of music by Giovanni Gabrieli and his contemporaries. The performance was widely praised for its energy, precision, and musicality, and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Gabrieli's music. In addition to its live performances, Quintessential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. Its debut album, "Music for the Duke of Lerma," was released in 1998 and featured music by composers such as Tomás Luis de Victoria and Francisco Guerrero. The album was praised for its "exquisite musicianship" and "impeccable ensemble playing" by critics. Another highlight of the ensemble's career was its performance at the 2012 Berkeley Early Music Festival, where it presented a program of music by Heinrich Schütz and his contemporaries. The performance was praised for its "rich, warm sound" and "impeccable intonation" by critics, and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Schütz's music. Quintessential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble has also been the recipient of several awards and honors throughout its career. In 2001, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Noah Greenberg Award by the American Musicological Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the performance of early music. The ensemble was also awarded the Early Music America Prize in 2005, which recognizes excellence in early music performance and scholarship. Today, Quintessential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble continues to be one of the leading early music ensembles in the United States, known for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming.

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