Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble is a renowned classical music group that specializes in the performance of early music. The ensemble was founded in 1993 by Jeremy West, a leading exponent of the cornett, a wind instrument that was popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The group's name reflects its focus on the cornett and sackbut, another early wind instrument that was a precursor to the modern trombone. Jeremy West was born in 1959 in London, England. He began his musical career as a chorister at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he developed a love for early music. He went on to study the cornett with Michael Laird at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was awarded the prestigious Tagore Gold Medal for his outstanding performance in the final recital. After completing his studies, West became a freelance musician, performing with various early music groups in the UK and Europe. He also taught the cornett at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1993, he founded the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, which quickly gained a reputation for its virtuosic performances of early music. The ensemble's repertoire includes music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as contemporary works that are inspired by early music. The group's instrumentation is flexible, depending on the requirements of the music being performed, but typically includes cornetts, sackbuts, violins, viols, lutes, and harpsichords. One of the highlights of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble's career was its performance at the 1996 Proms, the prestigious classical music festival held annually at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The group performed a program of music by Giovanni Gabrieli, one of the most important composers of the Venetian School, who wrote music for the cornett and sackbut. The performance was widely praised for its energy, precision, and authenticity. The ensemble has also performed at many other major festivals and venues, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the York Early Music Festival, and the Wigmore Hall in London. In 2000, the group was invited to perform at the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Netherlands, one of the most important early music festivals in the world. The ensemble's performance of music by Heinrich Schütz, a German composer of the Baroque period, was hailed as a highlight of the festival. In addition to its live performances, the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble has also recorded several albums, including "Music for San Rocco," which features music by Giovanni Gabrieli and his contemporaries, and "The Art of Heinrich Schütz," which showcases the music of the German composer. The group's recordings have been praised for their technical excellence and their ability to capture the spirit of early music. The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble has received many awards and accolades for its contributions to the world of early music. In 1998, the group was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for its recording of music by Giovanni Gabrieli. The award was a testament to the ensemble's commitment to excellence and its ability to bring the music of the past to life for modern audiences. In conclusion, the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble is a world-renowned classical music group that has made significant contributions to the performance and recording of early music.

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