Vox Nostra Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2008 in the Czech Republic. The ensemble is known for its unique approach to performing early music, particularly medieval and Renaissance music, and for its commitment to exploring the historical and cultural contexts of the music it performs. The founding members of Vox Nostra Ensemble were soprano Jana Semerádová, who also serves as the ensemble's artistic director, and lutenist and guitarist Michal Gondko. Both Semerádová and Gondko are highly respected musicians in the early music world, with extensive experience performing and recording with other ensembles and as soloists. From the beginning, Vox Nostra Ensemble set out to create performances that were historically informed, meaning that they were based on careful research into the musical and cultural practices of the time period in which the music was composed. This approach involved not only studying the music itself, but also delving into the social, political, and religious contexts in which it was created and performed. One of the highlights of Vox Nostra Ensemble's early years was its participation in the 2009 Prague Spring International Music Festival, where it performed a program of music by the 16th-century composer Orlando di Lasso. The ensemble's performance was praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and it helped to establish Vox Nostra Ensemble as a rising star in the early music world. In the years that followed, Vox Nostra Ensemble continued to perform at major festivals and venues throughout Europe, including the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, and the Festival de Musique Ancienne de Callas in France. The ensemble also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including a collection of music by the 15th-century composer Guillaume Dufay and a program of Spanish Renaissance music. One of the hallmarks of Vox Nostra Ensemble's performances is its use of period instruments, which are replicas of the instruments that would have been used to perform the music when it was first composed. This approach allows the ensemble to recreate the sound and texture of the music as it would have been heard by audiences at the time, and it also allows the musicians to explore the unique qualities of each instrument and how they interact with each other. Another key aspect of Vox Nostra Ensemble's performances is its attention to detail in terms of historical performance practice. This includes everything from the use of specific vocal techniques and ornamentation to the way in which the musicians approach the rhythm and tempo of the music. By paying close attention to these details, Vox Nostra Ensemble is able to create performances that are not only musically beautiful, but also historically accurate and culturally meaningful. In addition to its performances and recordings, Vox Nostra Ensemble has also been recognized for its contributions to the early music world through a number of awards and honors. In 2012, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious ECHO Klassik award for its recording of music by the 16th-century composer Jacobus Vaet. The following year, Vox Nostra Ensemble was named Ensemble of the Year by the Czech Music Critics' Awards. Today, Vox Nostra Ensemble continues to be a leading force in the world of early music, with a reputation for excellence in both performance and scholarship.

More....