Role

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Ensemble

Country

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Netherlands

 

Academy of the Begynhof is a classical music ensemble based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The ensemble was founded in 1994 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for early music and a desire to explore the rich musical heritage of the Netherlands. The founding members of the ensemble were violinist and artistic director Jan Willem de Vriend, cellist Jaap ter Linden, and harpsichordist Ton Koopman. They were soon joined by other talented musicians, including violinist Ryo Terakado, violist Rainer Zipperling, and flutist Jed Wentz. The ensemble takes its name from the Begijnhof, a historic courtyard in the heart of Amsterdam that was once home to a community of Beguines, a lay religious order of women. The Begijnhof is also the location of the English Reformed Church, where the ensemble has performed many concerts over the years. Academy of the Begynhof specializes in the performance of Baroque and Classical music on period instruments. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Mozart, as well as lesser-known composers from the Netherlands and other parts of Europe. One of the highlights of the ensemble's early years was their performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 1996. The concert, which took place in the Grote Kerk in Naarden, was a great success and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading early music groups in the Netherlands. Over the years, Academy of the Begynhof has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals throughout Europe and beyond. They have appeared at the Utrecht Early Music Festival, the Festival Oude Muziek in Bruges, the Festival de Musique Baroque de Versailles, and the Boston Early Music Festival, among others. The ensemble has also collaborated with many renowned soloists and conductors, including mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, violinist Isabelle Faust, and conductor Philippe Herreweghe. In addition to their live performances, Academy of the Begynhof has also recorded several albums for the Globe and Challenge Classics labels. Their recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Edison Award. One of the ensemble's most notable recordings is their 2005 album of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, which was praised for its "sparkling energy" and "impeccable musicianship." The album features performances by the ensemble's core members, as well as guest soloists such as flutist Barthold Kuijken and oboist Alfredo Bernardini. Another highlight of the ensemble's discography is their 2010 recording of Mozart's Flute Quartets, which features flutist Jed Wentz and members of the ensemble. The album was praised for its "graceful and elegant" performances and was named one of the best classical recordings of the year by several publications. Academy of the Begynhof continues to be one of the leading early music ensembles in the Netherlands and beyond. Their commitment to historical performance practices and their passion for exploring the rich musical heritage of the Netherlands have earned them a loyal following and critical acclaim.

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