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Florilegium (Period Instrument Ensemble)

Founded: 1991 - England

Director: Ashley Solomon

Regular performances in some of the world’s most prestigious venues have confirmed Florilegium’s status as one of Britain’s most outstanding period instrument ensembles. Since their formation in 1991 they have established a reputation for stylish and exciting interpretations, from intimate chamber works to large-scale orchestral and choral repertoire, from the Baroque era to the early romantic revolution. Florilegium regularly collaborate with some of the world's finest musicians including Dame Emma Kirkby, Robin Blaze and Elin Manahan Thomas.

Regular performances in some of the world’s most prestigious venues have confirmed Florilegium’s status as one of Britain’s most outstanding period instrument ensembles. Concert engagements have taken Florilegium throughout Europe, to North and South America, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. The group receives numerous invitations to perform at major international festivals each season and concert venues have included the Sydney Opera House, Esplanade in Singapore, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Wigmore Hall in London, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Konzerthaus in Vienna and Berlin, Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, Handel-Haus in Halle, the recently-restored Frauenkirche in Dresden, Théâtre Grevin in Paris and the Frick Collection in New York.

Florilegium's performances range from intimate chamber works to large-scale orchestral repertoire. The Florilegium Choir under the musical directorship of David Hill perform Baroque choral repertoire including mainstream passions and oratorios. Since their first collaboration at Easter 2001, Florilegium have been regular guests of The Bach Choir and David Hill at the Royal Festival Hall.

Among the numerous residencies Florilegium have held was Ensemble-in-Residence at London's Wigmore Hall from 1998 to 2000, performing several series of concerts each year and becoming actively involved in the Hall's education work. Since September 2008 they have been Ensemble in Association at the Royal College of Music.

Their recordings have been awarded many prizes including a Gramophone Award nomination, Editor’s Choice from Gramophone, Diapasons d’Or and Chocs de la Musique. Florilegium’s CD of Georg Philipp Telemann’s Paris Quartets Vol. 2 was awarded the group's 4th Editor’s Choice from Gramophone Magazine as well as winning the Classical Internet Award from Classicstoday.com. The J.S. Bach Cantatas disc with Johannette Zomer was awarded a 2008 Edison Award, Dutch music’s most prestigious prize. Florilegium's first volume of Baroque Music from the Missions of the Moxos and Chiquitos Indians was released to critical acclaim in 2005; Vol. 2 of Baroque Music from Bolivian Missions was Gramophone Editor's Choice in March 2007 and was nominated for a 2008 BBC Music Magazine award; and BBC Music Magazine selected Vol.3 as Disc of the Month for April 2010. A disc of music by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was released in May 2010 and was BBC Music Magazine’s CD choice in the vocal category in July 2010. A recording of works by Antonio Vivaldi with Elin Manahan Thomas, which includes his ‘Il Gran Mogul’, the recently-rediscovered flute concerto, was released in January 2012 and has been rated “Outstanding” by International Record Review and was Disc of the Week on BBC Radio 3’s CD Review. A disc of Florilegium's arrangements of J.S. Bach's Organ Trio Sonatas (BWV 525-530) was released in summer 2012 and was immediately awarded CD of the Week by The Sunday Times. Their recording of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos (BWV 1046-1051) was released in November 2014, their twenty fifth release for Channel Classics.

Members of Florilegium (as of 2014)

Founding Members (1991)

Ashley Solomon (Flute/Recorder), Director
Bojan Čičić (Violin)
Jennifer Morsches (Cello)
Reiko Ichise (Viola da gamba)
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord/Organ)

Ashley Solomon (Flute/Recorder), Director
Rachel Podger (Violin)
Daniel Yeadon (Cello, Bass Viol)
Neal Peres Da Costa (Harpsichord)

Other Past Member

 

James Johnstone (Harpsichord)
Kati Debretzeni (Violin)

 

Following a recent performance at London’s Wigmore Hall the Times newspaper wrote: "Florilegium climbed the heights of dancing bliss and left the Wigmore sighing with pleasure. They have become an indispensable feature on the early music landscape."


More Photos

Sources:
Florilegium Website (Photos by Amit Lennon)
Jacky Guter - Administrator, Florilegium (December 2014)
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (September 2007); Jacky Guter (December 2014, January 2015)

Ashley Solomon: Short Biography | Ensembles: Florilegium | RCM Baroque Orchestra
Bach Discography:
Recordings of Vocal Works | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings:
Bach's Musical Offering (2 Parts)

Links to other Sites

Florilegium - period instrument music ensemble (Official Website)


Biographies of Performers: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Explanation | Acronyms | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner




 

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Last update: Friday, May 28, 2021 06:57