Mixed Instrumental Ensembles

Period and Modern Instruments
Straddling both sides of the fence...

Ensembles recently added to the list are identified by the symbol.

Less well known ensembles I strongly recommend you investigate further are identified by the symbol.

• Accademia dei Solinghi (Director: Rita Peiretti; harpsichord) Formed in 1990. Named in homage to the Academy founded in the 1600s by Cardinal Maurizio di Savoia. Specializes in the repertoire of the composers who worked at the court of the Savoia between the 16th and the 18th centuries.  [Torino (?), Italy]
  • Discography :
    • Tomaso Albinoni: "Complete Works for German Flute, Vol. 1" with Enrico Di Felice (german flute) - Stradivarius (Dulcimer) STR 33377
    • Galuppi:  "Complete Harpsichord Concertos" Rita Peiretti, harpsichord - Dynamic CDS215 (2 CDs)
    • Tomaso Giordani: "Harpsichord Concertos" - Rita Peiretti, harpsichord - Dynamic CDS428 (2 CDs. Released in 2004.)
• Berliner Barock Solisten (Artistic leader: Rainer Kussmaul) Formed in 1995 predominantly by leading members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In its endeavor to adhere to stylistically authentic interpretations, the Barock Solisten combine using old but modernized instruments, various tunings, gut strings and the use of bows from varying periods, depending on the relevant historical performance practices. {E-mail: info@BerlinerBarockSolisten.de} [Berlin, Germany]
• Camerata Hungarica (Director: Laszlo Czidra) A mixture of modern and period instruments (original or modern copies) are used.
• Canadian Chamber Academy (Director: Atis Bankas) A string ensemble of modern instruments with period bows.
• Capella Accademica Wien (Directors: Eduard Melkus, Schneidt) Used a combination of period and modern instruments in performances.
• Chamber Orchestra of Europe (Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt; Some guest conductors: Frans Brüggen, Roger Norrington, John Eliot Gardiner)
  • Period instruments employed by the orchestra:
    • Natural, F, and period rotary valve trumpets.
    • Small bore trombones and tubas from Vienna and Paris (the smallest bore trombone ever made).
    • Small centrally tuned Schneller goat skin timpani from Vienna.
• Le Concert des Tuilleries (Director: Marc Minkowski) The ensemble uses gut strings but also, for example, a modern flute because "it is not very different from what Rossini used." [Paris, France]
• Dinamica - Israeli Baroque Ensemble Formed in 1997. To perform music of the 16th and 17th centuries according to period concept. Two singers and instrumentalists. {E-mail : liorlav@ibm.net} [Tel Aviv, Israel]
  • Members :  Bracha Kol(alto singer, recorder), Orit Carmoush-Shiloach (soprano), Shmuel Elbaz (period mandolin), Oded Shoub (modern guitar)
• Grupos Neuma and Ars Mensurabilis
  • Artistic director : Elimar Plínio Machado (Vièlle)
  • Year ensemble formed: 1995 (Grupos Neuma), 1997 (Ars Mensurabilis)
  • Description : The ensembles are groups to study and perform vocal and instrumental music from IX to XVI centuries with ancient and modern instruments.
  • WWW : http://www.uel.br/uel/home/pt/frmOpcao.asp?opcao=suplementares/
  • Contact information :
    • Postal address :
      • Universidade Estadual de Londrina - Casa de Cultura - Divisão de Música
        Projeto de Música Antiga -NEUMA e ARS MENSURABILIS
        A/C Prof. Alcides Carvalho e/ou Elimar Plínio Machado
        Praça Primeiro de Maio s/n
        86.010 - 000 Londrina - Paraná - Brazil
    • Telephone : 55 21 43  322 5224
    • FAX : 55 21 43 323 7417
    • E-mail :
      • alcides@sercomtel.com.br (Director of the Cultur Hause)
      • elimar@inbrapenet.com.br
    • Home city/country : Londrina, Paraná - Brazil
• Kölner Akademie / Orchester Damals und Heute -- (Director: Michael Willens) Perform on modern and historical  instruments (programs span JS Bach to Ivan Stravinsky). [Cologne, Germany]
  • Contact information:
    • Postal address:
      • Schillingstraße 25
        50670 Köln
        GERMANY
    • E-mail: info@koelnerakademie.de
  • Discography:
    • Bernard Crusell: clarinet concerto - with Eric Hoeprich (clarinet) - ARS Produktion (Recorded and released in 2006.)
• Natural Trumpet Ensemble of the Finnish Trumpet Guild (See "Suomen Trumpettikillan Luonnontrumpettiyhtye" below.)
• Orchestra of Patras (Thanos Mikroutsikos) Formed in 1991. Perform on modern and period instruments. Recorded Handel's opera Arianna in Creta on period instruments (MD&G label) [Greece]
• Quartetto Barocco (No director) Formed in 1994. {E-mail: pradoboe@hotmail.com} (Ascoli Piceno area, Italy)
  • Members: Antonio Prado (oboe) Stefano Travaglini (oboe) Diva Pasquali (violoncello) Barbara Bucci (harpsichord)
• Sinfonia Australis - Modern instruments with period brass and percussion. [Australia]
• Toronto Camerata  (Kevin Mallon) - the ensemble consists of players in Toronto who play in various period instrument groups such as Tafelmusik and Aradia ensemble but for this group use modern instruments and pitch with baroque or classical bows.  [Toronto, Ontario, Canada]
• Suomen Trumpettikillan Luonnontrumpettiyhtye [Finland]
  • Natural trumpet members: Juhani Listo, Darren Postema, Johanna Laakso, Jukka Rajala, Pekka Nebelung, Pekka Lyytinen, Seija Ohenoja, Reino Kotaviita
  • Other members (modern and period instruments): Sami Koskela (timpani), Tarja Viitanen (soprano), Pauliina Fred (recorder, flute), Satu Parkkonen (recorder, flute), Jussi Seppänen (violoncello), Pilvi Listo (harpsichord), Kirsi Naulapää (organ)
• Vienna Capella Academica (See Capella Academica Wien above.)
• Virginia Tech Early Music Ensemble (Director: by Prof. John Howell) Formed in 1996. Mixed vocal-instrumental ensemble formed to study and perform medieval, renaissance, and baroque repertoire. A performing ensemble in the Virginia Tech School of the Arts, Department of Music.   Membership varies but approximates 12-15 instrumentalists, 12-15 singers, with at least half doing both.  Period instruments used when possible, mixed with modern instruments if necessary.  [Blacksburg, Virginia]
  • 2000-2001 concert season: October 22nd (Music from the 13th century Carmina Burana), February 25th (TBA), April 22nd (possibly in conjunction with the Washington Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble). (NOTE:  Concerts last season included Bach's Coffee Cantata and a fully-staged performances of Purcell's "Dido & Aeneas.")
  • Contact: 
    • Prof. John Howell
      Virginia Tech Department of Music
      Blacksburg, VA 24061-0240
  • Vox : (540) 231-8411
  • Fax : (540) 231-5034
  • E-mail : John.Howell@vt.edu
• Les Violons du Roy (Director: Bernard Labadie) A string ensemble of modern instruments with period bows. E-mail: info@violonsduroy.com [Québec City, Canada]
  

Last updated: 22 February 2006