Holland Baroque Society unites the youngest generation of baroque musicians. They encountered each other in the best European Baroque orchestras, and by 2005 they were of the opinion that it was high time to establish their own distinctive sound. Since that time, Holland Baroque Society has combined innovative programming with a unique working s...
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Holland Baroque Society unites the youngest generation of baroque musicians. They encountered each other in the best European Baroque orchestras, and by 2005 they were of the opinion that it was high time to establish their own distinctive sound. Since that time, Holland Baroque Society has combined innovative programming with a unique working style. Baroque music still takes center stage, but bridges are also being built to other traditions and arts such as Balkan music and the art of literature. The orchestra does not have a permanent director: that helps keep their ears sharp and makes the sense of ensemble both richer and more intense. For each new project, HBS invites a particular baroque specialist who has an innovative vision, one who has mastered a distinctive aspect of performance practice (such as ornamentation or improvisation), or in some other way has escaped the timeworn pathways of convention. The HBS has worked for several years with some of them, including oboist Alfredo Bernardini, soprano Maria Keohane, and traverso player Alexis Kossenko; this has allowed ample room for growth and development.
In recent years, the orchestra has collaborated with prominent musicians such as Michael Maniaci, Matthew Halls, Stephen Stubbs, Milo Valen, Jan Rokyta, Stefano Montanari, Paolo Pandolfo, Veronika Skuplik, and the actress Cox Habbema. HBS has undertaken projects with the Netherlands Chamber Choir and Cappella Amsterdam, and organizes six of its own concert series throughout the Netherlands. HBS has also been invited to perform at renowned early music festivals at home and abroad.
Educational projects such as “Kids only-concerts” allow HBS to introduce thousands of children and young people to baroque music every year. In this way, too, Holland Baroque Society plays a dynamic role in society.
Harpsichordist, organist and conductor Matthew Halls completed his musical education at Oxford University. In recent years he has been a member of the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra; at the present time he is the artistic director of The King's Consort. Hall has appeared as a guest conductor with both baroque ensembles (The English Concert, Portland Baroque Orchestra) and with modern orchestras (Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, London Mozart Players). He has recorded numerous CDs as a continuo player and soloist. He has also performed with baroque orchestras including Les Arts Florissants and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Together with violinist Monica Huggett, Matthew Halls makes up the core of the chamber music ensemble
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