A fascinating programme of early 17th Century music from Germany by the English Cornet and Sackbut Ensemble

The music of the Stadtpfeifer played a vital role in the life of early 17th century Germany. This disc features music from this period based around the theme of the winter festival. The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble are joined by early woodwinds, keyboard, lute and voice in this fascinating programme originated by Keith McGowan.

The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble was formed in 1993 by the leading young specialists on early brass instruments from London’s music colleges. The group has since played at many major music festivals as well as the Wigmore Hall, St. John’s Smith Square and the Purcell Room in London. They have toured in France, Israel and Canada and have been featured widely on BBC Radio. ECSE have regularly accomp¬anied the country’s leading professional chamber choirs, including I Fagiolini, the Dunedin Consort, Trinity Baroque, His Majesty’s Chapel Royal Choir at St. James’s Palace and Armonico Consort. They have performed many joint vocal and in¬strumental programmes with choral societies across Britain, including the magnificent 1610 Vespers of Claudio Monteverdi.

Mark Chambers studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and with Michael Chance, James Bowman and David Wilson Johnson. His solo work has included Bach Mass in B minor, David in Handel’s Saul, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, St. Nicholas Mass and Judas Maccebeus with conductors including Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Richard Hickox and Stephen Cleobury. He has also sung a wide range of opera with conductors including Philip Pickett and Sir Simon Rattle.
Chambers’ discography includes counter-tenor duets by Purcell (DXL911), solo motets by Grandi with ECSE DXL913 and songs by Rubbra and Vaughan Williams DXL1012.