Period

:

Renaissance

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Musica Antiqua of London is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been active since the 1970s. The group was founded by Philip Pickett, a British musician who specialized in early music. Pickett was born in 1950 and began his musical career as a boy chorister at Canterbury Cathedral. He later studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he developed a passion for early music. In 1973, Pickett founded Musica Antiqua of London with a group of like-minded musicians who shared his interest in early music. The ensemble's mission was to perform music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods on period instruments, using historically informed performance practices. The group quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and innovative programming. One of the main members of Musica Antiqua of London was Catherine Mackintosh, a violinist who joined the group in the early 1980s. Mackintosh was born in 1946 and studied at the Royal College of Music in London. She was a founding member of the Academy of Ancient Music and also played with the English Concert and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Mackintosh was known for her virtuosic playing and her ability to bring out the emotional depth of early music. Another key member of Musica Antiqua of London was Nigel North, a lutenist who joined the group in the late 1970s. North was born in 1954 and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was known for his technical mastery of the lute and his ability to bring out the subtleties of early music. North went on to have a successful solo career and also taught at Indiana University and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Over the years, Musica Antiqua of London performed at many prestigious venues and festivals around the world. One of the group's most notable performances was at the 1980 Salzburg Festival, where they performed Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo" to critical acclaim. The group also performed at the Edinburgh Festival, the BBC Proms, and the Utrecht Early Music Festival, among others. Musica Antiqua of London recorded extensively throughout their career, releasing over 20 albums on the L'Oiseau-Lyre, Decca, and Philips labels. One of their most acclaimed recordings was their 1984 album "Music for the Lion-Hearted King," which featured music from the court of Richard the Lionheart. The album won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Early Music Recording. In addition to their performances and recordings, Musica Antiqua of London was also known for their educational outreach. The group conducted workshops and masterclasses for young musicians and also collaborated with schools and universities to promote early music education. Sadly, Musica Antiqua of London disbanded in 2003 following the arrest and conviction of Philip Pickett on charges of sexual assault. The news was a shock to the early music community, and many were saddened by the loss of such a talented ensemble. However, the group's legacy lives on through their recordings and the many musicians who were inspired by their performances. In conclusion, Musica Antiqua of London was a pioneering ensemble that helped to popularize early music and historically informed performance practices. The group's innovative programming, virtuosic playing, and commitment to education made them one of the most respected ensembles in the early music world.

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