Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

Boston Baroque is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1973 by the harpsichordist and conductor, Martin Pearlman. The ensemble is known for its historically informed performances of Baroque and Classical music, and has been praised for its virtuosity, precision, and expressive power. Martin Pearlman, who was born in 1945, studied music at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at Harvard University, where he earned a Ph.D. in musicology. He was inspired by the early music movement that was gaining popularity in Europe in the 1960s, and he became interested in performing Baroque music on period instruments, using historically informed performance practices. In 1973, Pearlman founded Boston Baroque, which was one of the first American ensembles to specialize in Baroque music played on period instruments. The ensemble's first concert was held in November of that year, and featured works by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. The concert was well-received, and Boston Baroque quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances. Over the years, Boston Baroque has performed a wide range of Baroque and Classical music, including works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Haydn. The ensemble has also commissioned new works by contemporary composers, such as John Harbison and Peter Child. One of the highlights of Boston Baroque's career was its performance of Handel's opera, Giulio Cesare, in 1995. The production, which was directed by Peter Sellars, was hailed as a landmark in the history of Baroque opera, and was praised for its innovative staging and powerful performances. The production was later released on DVD, and has become a classic of the Baroque opera repertoire. Another notable performance by Boston Baroque was its 2007 recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor, which was praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth. The recording won a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance, and was hailed as one of the finest recordings of the work ever made. Boston Baroque has also been recognized for its contributions to the early music field. In 2012, the ensemble was awarded the Noah Greenberg Award by the American Musicological Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the performance of early music. The award cited Boston Baroque's "pioneering work in the field of historically informed performance, its commitment to excellence, and its dedication to the highest standards of scholarship and musicianship." The ensemble's main members have included some of the finest early music performers in the United States. These have included the violinists Christina Day Martinson and Julie Andrijeski, the cellist Phoebe Carrai, the oboist Stephen Hammer, and the bassoonist Andrew Schwartz, among others. Many of these musicians have also performed with other leading early music ensembles, such as the Handel and Haydn Society, Tafelmusik, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. In addition to its concert performances, Boston Baroque has also been active in recording and broadcasting its music. The ensemble has released over 20 recordings on the Telarc, Linn, and BIS labels, and has been featured on numerous radio and television programs, including NPR's Performance Today and PBS's Great Performances. Boston Baroque has also been active in education and outreach, and has worked with schools, community groups, and other organizations to promote the appreciation and understanding of early music.

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