Early Music from Germany

Musical instruments cembalo keyboard Harpsichord in the Flemish style Antwerpen 1618Musical instruments cembalo keyboard Harpsichord in the Flemish style Antwerpen 1618; Foto: Jorge Royan

During the last few decades Early Music has become an important genre in German musical life. An intensive discussion on historical performance practice, a plethora of specialised ensembles, and a large number of music archives all go to show that the scene, as it were, no longer merely inhabits a niche market. “Early Music from Germany” informs the reader about an area of music-making full of vitality, exhibits useful links and provides details about selected areas of the engagement of the Goethe-Institut.

    Introduction

     
    Ensemble Concerto Köln, large forces, Theatre Ravenna © Giampiero Corelli

    A lively alternative – looking back at 40 years of early music in Germany

    A determined attempt by labels and broadcasting companies to support early music contributed much to it becoming an essential alternative to conventional classical music in Germany. As a commissioning editor, Bernhard Morbach has witnessed the development of the scene first hand. A personal look at 40 years of early music in Germany.More ...
    Balthasar-Neumann-Chor © Fritz Etzold

    Historical performance practice – then and now

    Every musician faces the task of interpreting musical texts – and this is especially true for the repertoire of early music. The awareness of historically informed performance practice has grown significantly in recent years.More ...

    Current Trends

    Barockorchester La Banda und Franconia Vocalis beim Fränkischen Musiksommer 2011 in Nürnberg. Leitung: Wolfgang Riedelbauch.Countertenor Valer Barna-Sabudus (Mitte), Aufführung Didone abbandonata im Münchener Prinzregententhater 2011; Foto: © A.T.Schaefer

    Early music in 2011: The adventure continues

    Early music remained very much alive and thriving in Germany in 2011, a year marked not only by the rediscovery of works by Johann Adolf Hasse and Johann Ludwig Bach, but also by the breakthrough of some Baroque ensembles. More ...
      Organ recital at the Klais-Organ in the Frauenkirche in Nuremberg part of the 57. ION (Nuremberg International Organ Week, 2008); photo: ION/ Christina Kuhn

      Lively Scene. Germany – Land of the Organ

      Mozart called it the “king of instruments”: in Germany a bustling music scene with deep historical roots has developed round the organ.More ...

      Musical instruments cembalo keyboard Harpsichord in the Flemish style Antwerpen 161