Ensemble Polyharmonique is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods. The ensemble was founded in 2005 by the German countertenor Alexander Schneider and the French harpsichordist and conductor Bernard Woltèche. The ensemble's name, Polyharmonique, refers to the polyphonic nature of the music they perform, which often features multiple voices and instruments playing together in harmony. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Mozart, as well as lesser-known composers from the same time period. The main members of Ensemble Polyharmonique are Alexander Schneider, who serves as the ensemble's artistic director and lead countertenor, and Bernard Woltèche, who serves as the ensemble's conductor and harpsichordist. Other members of the ensemble include sopranos Marie Favier and Caroline Weynants, tenor Jan Kobow, and bass-baritone Stephan MacLeod. Ensemble Polyharmonique has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and music festivals, including the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. The ensemble has also collaborated with other renowned musicians and ensembles, such as the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and the Freiburger Barockorchester. One of the highlights of Ensemble Polyharmonique's career was their performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Salzburg Festival in 2010. The performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, with The New York Times calling it "a revelatory performance that brought the work to life in a way that was both historically informed and emotionally powerful." Ensemble Polyharmonique has also received numerous awards and accolades for their performances and recordings. In 2012, the ensemble won the Echo Klassik award for their recording of Handel's Messiah, and in 2015, they were awarded the Diapason d'Or for their recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor. In addition to their performances and recordings, Ensemble Polyharmonique is also committed to music education and outreach. The ensemble regularly conducts workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and they have also collaborated with schools and community organizations to bring classical music to a wider audience. Overall, Ensemble Polyharmonique is a highly respected and acclaimed classical music ensemble that has made significant contributions to the performance and interpretation of Baroque and Classical music. With their commitment to historical accuracy and emotional depth, the ensemble continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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