Here's a look at some previous Orlando Consort news items...
USA Tour Diary — February 2006 (by Angus Smith)
For three members of the Orlando Consort there is a defining moment when it is possible to say: ‘Here beginneth the 200* tour of the United States’ - merely replace the asterisk with the relevant number. I am excepting Robert from this because he slips into an American lifestyle with great ease, but for the rest of us we cannot exhale in the appropriate satisfied manner until we have notched up the relevant moment on our metaphorical belts. Continue reading...
A new recording for 2006
The Rose, the Lily & the Whortleberry (HMU 907398) is an anthology of Medieval and Renaissance vocal music related to gardens and horticulture. The repertoire covers the entire aesthetic scale - from serene sacred music and elegant courtly love songs to downright obscene (but nevertheless remarkably witty) ditties. Our hope is that aficionados of early music will appreciate the blend of great composers (Machaut, Brumel, Gombert, etc.) with some real discoveries (Phinot, Trebor, Ceballos, etc), and that those who are coming to this period of music for the first time will find it a thoroughly logical and enjoyable introduction to the subject.
The CD is magnificently presented by Harmonia Munda USA in a lavishly illustrated 116-page hard-back booklet and includes not only articles by the renowned historian Sir Roy Strong and medieval literature specialist Susan Hitch, but also a brand new garden design commissioned by us especially for this project from Christopher Bradley-Hole, a multiple prize-winner at the world-renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London.
A new kid on the block
Read an interview with Mark Dobell on his appointment as the new tenor to replace Charles Daniels
Looking Back at 2005: An End of Year Questionnaire
As a change from the traditional round-up of the year’s events, this year we all answered a series of questions. We hope you enjoy them!
Great Reviews for Busnois and USA concerts
The Winter 2005 USA tour (Jan 27 - Feb 12 2005) was a great success and coincided with the release of our new disc of music by Antoine Busnois (see below). We were previewed extensively and the concerts were very favourably reviewed.
NEW RECORDING: Antoine Busnois
The music of the fifteenth-century composer ANTOINE BUSNOIS has inspired intense interest in recent times. With this survey of the different genres—sacred and secular—in which Busnois excelled, the Orlando Consort demonstrates the composer’s supreme technical mastery, his melodic flair, and his rhythmic vitality. A comprehensive portrait of an early-Renaissance genius.
Two New Programmes for 2005
- The Rose, the Lily, and the Whortleberry
- The Worlde Accordinge to Henrietta Fitzjohn...
Programme for BBC4
The Orlando Consort recorded music by Josquin Des Pres and Walter Lambe for a BBC4 programme entitled 'Early Music'. This featured several groups and the Orlandos represented the earliest music recorded for the programme. Transmission was on Saturday, April 24th 2004 on BBC4 at 19.30. A second appearance of the group was on May 8th.
The Toledo Summit
A recent album you may have missed. The Orlando Consort revisits a fascinating meeting between two musical cultures. During his 1502 ceremonial visit to Toledo (Spain), Philip the Fair of Burgundy, and his Royal hosts, Ferdinand and Isabella, vied to display the artistic achievements of their respective realms. Music was central to all the festivities: solemn celebrations, worship, courtly banquets, dances and chivalric entertainments.
Gramophone's Best Early Music Recording of 2003
The Call of the Phoenix, the Orlando Consort's recording of fifteenth century English music, is officially the best early music recording of 2003 according to The Gramophone. Due to a particularly English quirk it will not receive a prize as The Gramophone is only giving six prizes this year (have they run out of plinths?), but the members of the group are delighted that this collection of motets and mass movements has been recognised as a category winner. Whilst in this modest mood we'd also like to point out that RedLudwig.com voted the same record as one of the ten best recordings of 2002.
Collaboration is the name of the game
2003 was the culmination of two forms of collaboration. The first was the ongoing work between the Orlandos and jazz quartet Perfect Houseplants, and the latter shows the Orlandos hard at work in cap and gown.
