Genre

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Chamber

 

Musica Florea is a Czech classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque and early Classical music. The ensemble was founded in 1992 by Marek Štryncl, a Czech conductor and harpsichordist, and his wife Jana Semerádová, a Czech flutist and recorder player. The ensemble takes its name from the Latin phrase "florea musica," which means "flourishing music." The founding members of Musica Florea were all graduates of the Prague Academy of Performing Arts, and they shared a passion for historically informed performance practice. They sought to revive the authentic sound and style of Baroque and early Classical music by using period instruments and researching historical performance techniques. The ensemble's core members include Jana Semerádová on flute and recorder, Marek Štryncl on harpsichord and organ, and Monika Knoblochová on violin. Over the years, Musica Florea has collaborated with many other musicians and singers, depending on the repertoire and performance venue. Musica Florea has performed extensively in Europe, Asia, and North America, and has gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and innovative programming. The ensemble has performed at many prestigious festivals and concert halls, including the Prague Spring Festival, the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Lincoln Center in New York. One of the highlights of Musica Florea's career was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Prague Spring Festival in 2000. The ensemble used a reconstructed version of the original score, which had been lost for centuries, and performed the work in the historic St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. The performance was hailed as a triumph of historical authenticity and musical excellence, and was later released on CD and DVD. Another notable performance by Musica Florea was its collaboration with the Japanese dancer and choreographer Saburo Teshigawara in 2005. The ensemble performed music by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi while Teshigawara danced in a contemporary interpretation of Baroque dance. The performance, titled "Baroque," was a fusion of old and new, and was highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. Musica Florea has also received numerous awards and accolades for its recordings. The ensemble's recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos was awarded the Diapason d'Or in 2001, and its recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006. Musica Florea has also recorded works by Handel, Telemann, and other Baroque composers, and has been praised for its technical precision, expressive interpretation, and historical authenticity. In addition to its performances and recordings, Musica Florea is also committed to music education and outreach. The ensemble has organized workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and has collaborated with schools and community organizations to promote classical music and historical performance practice. In conclusion, Musica Florea is a Czech classical music ensemble that has made significant contributions to the revival of Baroque and early Classical music. Founded in 1992 by Marek Štryncl and Jana Semerádová, the ensemble has gained a reputation for its high-quality performances, innovative programming, and historical authenticity.

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