Academy of Ancient Music
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The original Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) was founded in London, England in 1726 for the purpose of studying and performing "old" music -- defined initially as anything composed at least a century earlier but soon grew to include more contemporary composers, most notably Handel.
In 1973, the Academy of Ancient Music was revived by the British conductor and harpsichordist Christopher Hogwood for the purpose of playing 18th and early 19th century music on period instruments. For choral works, it is joined either by The Academy of Ancient Music Chorus or a cathedral or collegiate choir with boys' voices.
In 1996, the Academy appointed Paul Goodwin as Associate Conductor and Andrew Manze as Associate Director.
The Academy of Ancient Music was the first orchestra to record all of Mozart's symphonies on period instruments, The AAM has since recorded the complete piano concertos and symphonies of Beethoven, and is in the process of recording the complete Haydn symphonies and the complete Mozart piano concertos with fortepianist Robert Levin.
The AAM has also recorded Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Handel's Orlando and Rinaldo, Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito, Haydn's Orfeo
Under the directon of Andrew Manze, the AAM recorded Bach's solo and double violin concertos and Vivaldi's Concert for the Prince of Poland, the complete Concerti Grossi Op.6 of Handel, and the complete Concerti Grossi of Geminiani (after Corelli Op.5), was released in July 2000.
Under Paul Goodwin The AAM has recorded a selection of Christmas music by Schütz and his contemporaries, Mozart's rare Singspiel Zaïde and The AAM's first commission, John Tavener's Eternity's Sunrise in 1999. This was followed by a second Tavener recording, Total Eclipse, released in 2001.
The AAM Chamber Ensemble has recorded clarinet quintets by Mozart and Weber, Beethoven's Septet, Schubert's Octet and Trout Quintet, and the quintets for fortepiano and wind by Mozart and Beethoven.
The AAM frequently tours Europe but also pays regular visits to North and South America and Asia.
External link
- Academy of Ancient Music website (http://www.aam.co.uk/)