Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music. The ensemble was founded in 2005 by Yukimi Kambe, a Japanese viol player who studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in the Netherlands. Kambe's vision was to create a group that would explore the rich repertoire of music written for viols, a family of stringed instruments that were popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble's main members are Yukimi Kambe (treble viol), Hironori Matsuoka (tenor viol), and Masato Matsuura (bass viol). All three musicians are highly skilled performers who have studied with some of the world's leading early music specialists. Kambe, in particular, has gained a reputation as one of the foremost viol players of her generation, and has performed with many of the world's leading early music ensembles. Since its founding, Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort has performed extensively throughout Japan and Europe, earning critical acclaim for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by some of the greatest composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including William Byrd, John Dowland, Henry Purcell, and Johann Sebastian Bach. One of the highlights of the ensemble's career was its performance at the 2010 Utrecht Early Music Festival in the Netherlands. The festival is one of the most prestigious early music events in the world, and the ensemble's performance was widely praised for its technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. The ensemble has also performed at other major early music festivals, including the Boston Early Music Festival and the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht. In addition to its live performances, Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. The ensemble's debut album, "Fantasia," was released in 2008 and features works by William Byrd, John Dowland, and other composers of the English Renaissance. The album was praised for its "exquisite playing" and "impeccable musicianship." The ensemble's second album, "Bach: The Art of Fugue," was released in 2012 and features Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental work for keyboard, arranged for viol consort. The album was hailed as a "triumph of musicianship" and a "masterpiece of interpretation." Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort has also been the recipient of several awards and honors. In 2011, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Early Music America/Naxos Recording Competition Prize for its recording of Bach's "The Art of Fugue." The prize is awarded annually to the best early music recording released in North America. The ensemble has also been awarded grants from the Japan Foundation and the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan, which have enabled it to undertake ambitious recording and touring projects. In conclusion, Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort is a world-class ensemble that has earned a reputation as one of the finest interpreters of early music. Its members are highly skilled musicians who bring a deep understanding of historical performance practice to their performances. The ensemble's innovative programming and virtuosic playing have won it critical acclaim and a devoted following among early music enthusiasts. With its commitment to excellence and its passion for the music of the past, Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort is sure to continue to be a major force in the world of early music for years to come.

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