Features
Articles
Our curated collection of essays on all aspects of early music and historically-informed performance, insights into innovation, and new composition for early instruments.
Not a Carol Service: York Early Music
The National Centre for Early Music, led by Delma Tomlin, hosts a Christmas Festival fusing early music, folk traditions and a focus on community engagement.
In Conversation: Oliver Doyle
Oliver Doyle tells us about his doctoral research and work with his ensemble Musica Antica Rotherhithe.
Clare Norburn and The Telling
Clare Norburn’s The Telling blends ancient and modern in "concertplays," exploring historical and modern themes through acting, singing and music.
Christopher Monks and Armonico Consort
Christopher Monks of Armonico Consort talks tours, recording rare Scarlatti, and engaging youth in music education, including impactful work in Kenya.
Paul McCreesh: Always an Educator
Paul McCreesh leads Gabrieli Roar’s Christmas tour, inspiring 4,000 young voices across England with vibrant Georgian music and a love for classical heritage
Darren Hargan and Le Foyer des Artistes
Darren Hargan’s Le Foyer des Artistes brings world-class music to Derry, fusing ancient culture, community spirit and international artistry.
The Reverent Paraphrase
Kate Bennett Wadsworth discusses her chamber arrangement of Schumann's Cello Concerto, and reflects on her recording with the Consone Quartet.
Davina Clarke: Violins, Voices and Collaboration
Davina Clarke shares her passion for Baroque music, collaboration, leading ensembles, and exploring the art of obligato violin in her recordings.
La Serenissima's 30th Anniversary
La Serenissima marks 30 years with Giro d’Italia, celebrating forgotten composers and a new recording of Vivaldi’s Opus 8.
Baroque X Jazz: reimagining the trio sonata
Liturina’s work with jazz musician and composer Jonny Mansfield forges a new path for historical performance through genre crossover.
Erik Bosgraaf: The New Man at LIFEM
Erik Bosgraaf leads LIFEM with a new artistic vision, exploring themes of variation and early music heritage, plus concerts, competitions and future plans.
Old Spelling But Fresh Explorations
Newe Vialles explores the evolution of the viol, blending historic instruments with fresh interpretations in both recordings and live performances.
Leon Bosch: Champion of the Neglected
Leon Bosch champions composer Sperger’s lost works, aiming to record concertos & symphonies, while connecting his double bass legacy to South Africa’s music.
Jan Zahourek and ZAREKtrio
ZAREKtrio presents "Bs and Bees:" Performing works by Buxtehude and Bach in unique venues, they intersperse baroque music with poetic musings on bees.
Ian Page Tackles Jommelli
Ian Page and The Mozartists delve into the works of Niccolò Jommelli, showcasing his influence on Mozart and reviving his overlooked operatic genius.
Richard Egarr: At the Heart of Early Music
We explore Richard Egarr's career, from harpsichordist to conductor. He now focuses on fostering community through innovative events.
Enchanting Norwich
A history of Norwich’s Assembly House in 1754-55, focusing on its musical significance, key performances, and notable figures like Boyce and Geminiani.
I Fagiolini Revives Benevoli’s Masses
I Fagiolini revives Orazio Benevoli’s forgotten four-choir masses, showcasing the grandeur of 17th-century Rome. Written by Robert Hollingworth.
Ashley Solomon and Florilegium
Ashley Solomon and Florilegium redefine early music with innovative performances, global collaborations, and a focus on mentoring young talent.
Davina Clarke and ‘The Art of Obligato’
Continuo Connect recently sat down with Davina Clarke to talk about recording Handel, Bach, and her exploration of the world of ‘obligato’.
How African Musicians Came to Medieval and Renaissance Europe
Ted Gioia tells how an African trumpeter ended up in Tudor England - and how Western music has always been multicultural.
Sounds Historical in Banbury
Sounds Historical share the inspiration behind their performance "600 Years!," a programme featuring 38 instruments, from Hildegard von Bingen to Haydn.
A Week With Early Music In Cologne
With thriving festivals, ZAMUS, and major venues, Cologne’s early music scene offers a cohesive model for supporting and nurturing its early music sector.
Nardus Williams Introduces...
British soprano Nardus Williams shares her lifelong passion for Early Music and her latest collaborations with Dame Mary Beard and Elizabeth Kenny.
Echoes of Vauxhall: A Musical Renaissance
London’s history of lost opportunities, from Wren’s unfulfilled plans to Vauxhall’s decline, sees a ray of light with the emergence of The Vauxhall Band.
Albion's Delight
Lutenist Christopher Hirst, violinist Emma-Marie Kabonova and bassoonist Matthew Dodd have formed Phantasia to explore 18th-century folk music traditions
The Excellence of Women
The fascinating discovery of a lost part of Maddalena Casulana's virtuoso book of five-voice madrigals has enabled a new recording by Fieri Consort
The Other Chandos Anthems
The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen explore forgotten Baroque music, supported by Continuo Foundation, releasing CDs and performing across Europe.
Sarah Jeffery
Continuo Connect meets Sarah Jeffery, recorder superstar and founder of YouTube sensation Team Recorder.
Luke Styles Answers Carissimi
Early music's success sparks modern creativity. Luke Styles' "Jephthah's Daughter" reimagines a dark tale, blending Baroque elements with contemporary flair.
Angell’s Musick in Mortall’s Dresse
John Wilson, a prominent baroque composer, rose from humble beginnings to significant fame. Matthew Spring of ensemble Galliarda explores his enduring legacy.
Sons of England: Purcell, Handel, Sancho
The Academy of Ancient Music performs a Roderick Williams commission alongside music by three very different "sons of England": Purcell, Handel, and Sancho
Reginald Mobley: Countertenor
Internationally acclaimed countertenor Reginald Mobley talks to Continuo Connect about being an artist of colour in early music, his inspirations and passions.
Handel Hendrix House
Handel & Hendrix House cares for and presents the London homes of Baroque composer G.F. Handel and rock legend Jimi Hendrix.
The celebrated Distins
The story of how one family transformed music in the 19th century and shaped the world of brass music today.
On A Personal Note
Violinist Jane Gordon shares her thoughts about her relationship with historical performances and the ‘new' sound world centred around the fortepiano.
The King's Playlist
Ensemble Molière present their debut album, ‘The King’s Playlist’, a musical day in the life of King Louis XIV.
The Ghost in the Machine
What information can musical machines provide about 'live' performers from the past, and what influence can this have on our modern HIP practice?
Peter Whelan Introduces…
Continuo Connect recently caught up with conductor, music director, harpsichordist, and bassoonist Peter Whelan.
Early Music? Early Food?
Step into the world of culinary history with Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, food historian and dynamic host of Salon Music concerts.
London International Festival of Early Music - Online Concerts
Re-live LIFEM 2023's highlights: with performances from Erik Bosgraaf & the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra's, Jane Chapman and The OAE Experience Scheme Ensemble.
Meet the family
Finn Collinson, the Recorder Specialist at The Early Music Shop introduces the recorder family, highlighting their role in shaping early music.
Roxanna Panufnik: Officially Kooky
Composer Roxanna Panufnik explains how several recent commissions for prominent early music specialists seek to evoke and shed light on the past.
Sir Roger Norrington
A landmark interview with one of the leading pioneers of early music, the conductor Sir Roger Norrington.
Musick in Manchester
The story of Manchester Baroque's reconstruction of Manchester's first public concerts in 1744-45, presented by Dr Pauline Nobes.
From Library to Stage
Dr Pauline Nobes shares some of the detective work involved with Manchester Baroque's ‘Musick’ in Manchester 1744/45 programme
The Battle of the Organs
“Celestial Music did the Gods Inspire” brings to life the extraordinary story of the Battle of the Organs.
Reaching back and looking forward
Composer James Batty and his ensemble The Picardy Players are picking up where Italian musicians of the past left off - and exploring Renaissance microtonality.
The story of the love:Handel festival
The story of the love:Handel festival, as told to Continuo Connect by Brook Street Band founder Tatty Theo.
The mystery of Bach’s “unicorn”
A good mystery always intrigues - and when the mystery is set for us by none other than Johann Sebastian Bach, who can resist?
First Encounters
First Encounters - musical journeys between Europe and Asia from the dawn of the global world, by Yeo Yat-Soon, founder and director of Divertissements Chinois.
Bach, Handel, and a Greek hero's choice
Listening to the Christmas Oratorio’s sublime lullaby for the infant Christ, 'Schlafe mein Liebster’, you might be surprised to discover the music's origins...
Graft, galleries, and genre-busting: the endless possibilities of the recorder
What do the Mandalorian and the Beatles have in common? Recorder player Heidi Fardell will tell you, and more, as she writes about her life and career in music.
Discovering Baroque treasures with Will Russell and Spiritato
Will Russell, founder of Spiritato and champion of less well-known Baroque music, shares insights into their musical adventures and discoveries.