Geoffrey Norris, The Telegraph: …a terrific harbinger of what the group might do in the future
- photographer: Tom Bowles
Syrinx
a water nymph who transformed herself into a reed to escape the amorous advances of the god Pan
Syrinx is an ensemble dedicated to the performance of historical wind music.
From 14th to 18th centuries wind music could be heard everywhere from grand state occasions to the humblest village dance and it is our aim to recreate this impressive tradition.
Our repertoire covers the rise of the professional wind band; we perform music from Dufay and Josquin to Handel and Mozart on shawms, dulcians, oboes and bassoons.
We have just recorded our first CD The Saxon Alternative, released by Resonus Classics. Telemann’s wind music reveals a fascinating mix of styles; perfectly balanced baroque dances and full-blown orchestral overtures rub shoulders with the rustic miniature of Les Paysans and the gentle snoring of muted double-reeds in Le Someil. The oboe and horn ensemble was a new phenomenon when Telemann was writing this music and he takes full advantage of the opportunity to experiment with these news sounds—predictably milking the horn calls for all they are worth in riotous final Gigue of TWV 44:14, but also throwing up the unusual and very beautiful combination of solo horn and oboe d’amore in the serene, Venetian Siciliano of TWV 44:2.
Members of the group can be heard playing in many of the world’s leading period orchestras including the Academy of Ancient Music, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, La Stagione Frankfurt, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Concerto Köln, The Sixteen and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
On a smaller scale they are also active as chamber musicians, appearing with I Fagiolini, Mediva, Les Haulz et les Bas, Blondel, Mandragora, Apollo & Pan, Il Bacio and Concentus VII.
click to hear us
Les Paysans
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) Overture in F TWV 44:14 Les Paysans
2 oboes 2 horns 2 bassoons, harpsichord
recording engineer: Adrian Hunter
Siciliano
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) Concerto a5 in D TWV 44:2
2 oboes d’amore 2 horns 2 bassoons, harpsichord
recording engineer: Adrian Hunter
Pange Linga
Francesco Guerrero (Lerma Manuscript)
renaissance band