Country

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United Kingdom

Genre

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Vocal

 

The New London Consort is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with its unique and innovative performances for over three decades. Founded in 1988 by the British conductor and musicologist Philip Pickett, the ensemble has become one of the most respected and influential groups in the early music scene. Philip Pickett, who was born in 1950, was a multi-talented musician who played a variety of instruments, including the recorder, shawm, crumhorn, and bagpipes. He was also a skilled conductor and musicologist, with a deep knowledge of early music and a passion for historical performance practices. Pickett had previously worked with several other early music ensembles, including the Early Music Consort of London and the London Classical Players, before founding the New London Consort. The ensemble's name was inspired by the fact that it was based in London, but also reflected its commitment to exploring new and uncharted territories in the world of early music. From the beginning, the New London Consort set out to challenge traditional notions of what early music should sound like, and to push the boundaries of historical performance practice. The New London Consort's core members included Philip Pickett himself, as well as a group of talented musicians who shared his vision and passion for early music. These included Catherine Bott (soprano), Andrew Lawrence-King (harp and psaltery), Pavlo Beznosiuk (violin), and Richard Boothby (viola da gamba), among others. Over the years, the ensemble's lineup has changed somewhat, but its commitment to excellence and innovation has remained constant. One of the New London Consort's early highlights was its performance of Monteverdi's "Orfeo" at the 1989 Edinburgh Festival. This production, which was directed by Pickett and featured Catherine Bott in the lead role, was widely acclaimed for its fresh and dynamic approach to the music. The ensemble's use of period instruments and historically informed performance practices helped to bring Monteverdi's music to life in a way that was both authentic and exciting. Another major milestone for the New London Consort was its recording of the complete works of Guillaume de Machaut, a medieval composer who is considered one of the greatest poets and musicians of his time. This ambitious project, which was released on the L'Oiseau-Lyre label in 1994, was the first complete recording of Machaut's works and was widely praised for its scholarship and musicality. The New London Consort has also collaborated with a number of other artists and ensembles over the years, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the English National Opera, and the Academy of Ancient Music. In 1996, the ensemble joined forces with the Tallis Scholars to perform a program of Renaissance music at the BBC Proms, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. In addition to its live performances, the New London Consort has also released a number of critically acclaimed recordings over the years. These include "The Play of Daniel," a medieval liturgical drama that was released on the Decca label in 1998, and "The Feast of Fools," a collection of medieval and Renaissance music that was released on the Harmonia Mundi label in 2002. Sadly, the New London Consort's history has been marred by controversy in recent years. In 2015, Philip Pickett was convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

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