Country

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Germany

Genre

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Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

Akademie für Alte Musik, Berlin (Academy for Ancient Music, Berlin) is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque and early Classical music. The ensemble was founded in 1982 by a group of young musicians who were passionate about reviving the music of the past and exploring the historical performance practices of the time. The founding members of the ensemble were Bernhard Forck (violin), Michael Erxleben (violin), Georg Kallweit (violin), Stefan Mai (viola), and Martin Heinze (cello). They were all students of the renowned conductor and musicologist, Hans-Martin Linde, who was a pioneer in the field of historical performance practice. From the beginning, the ensemble was committed to using period instruments and historical performance techniques to recreate the sound and style of the music of the Baroque and early Classical periods. They also sought to explore the lesser-known works of composers from this era and to bring them to a wider audience. One of the highlights of the ensemble's early career was their collaboration with the German conductor and harpsichordist, Reinhard Goebel. Together, they recorded a series of albums for the label Archiv Produktion, which included works by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Philipp Telemann, and Antonio Vivaldi. In 1993, the ensemble appointed a new artistic director, Stephan Mai, who had been a member of the ensemble since its founding. Under his leadership, the ensemble continued to expand its repertoire and explore new ways of interpreting the music of the past. One of the ensemble's most notable achievements was their recording of the complete Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach, which was released in 2000. The recording was widely praised for its virtuosity, energy, and historical authenticity, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of Baroque music. In addition to their recordings, the ensemble has also performed extensively throughout Europe and North America, appearing at major festivals and concert halls such as the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Over the years, the ensemble has received numerous awards and accolades for their recordings and performances. In 2006, they were awarded the Echo Klassik award for their recording of the St. Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach. They have also been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the Gramophone Award, and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, among others. Today, the ensemble continues to be one of the leading interpreters of Baroque and early Classical music, and they remain committed to exploring the historical performance practices of the past while bringing new life to the music of the great composers of the era.

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