Alon Sariel
For the past decade, mandolinist and multi-instrumentalist Alon Sariel has been breathing new life into the mandolin, inspiring critics and audiences alike with his contagious musicianship and flawless technique, which makes him today’s mandolinist of the first rank. With a record of over a thousand concerts in more than 35 countries, he maintains a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber player and artistic director in diverse productions.
With Sariel’s ever-growing curiosity for different cultures and genres, various plucked instruments find their way to his hands and often – “when it clicks”, as he puts it – they come to stay. In his concerts, he easily switches between those “plucked partners” to create diverse musical experiences for his audiences.
In his release “Plucked Bach” (PENTATONE), Alon Sariel approaches Bach’s solo music in enticing new arrangements on different mandolins and lutes, the baroque guitar and the oud. For the Beethoven anniversary in 2020, he was invited by Naxos to record the composer’s works for mandolin and fortepiano. With his album “Telemandolin” (Berlin Classics) Sariel has become the first mandolinist to be awarded an OPUS KLASSIK.
Arte dei Suonatori
The most recognizable Polish ensemble on the international music scene performing the music of past eras in a historically informed manner formed by violinists Ewa and Arek Golinski. After years of joint and individual experience, the musicians’ artistic search focuses on a constant exploration of the core of the musical language of composers of past eras, which, combined with historical instruments, has led to the creation of a style that is both historical, modern and thoroughly individual. The vast repertoire of this ensemble exceeds 700 compositions, representing a wide-range of styles and forms from the 17th and 18th century as well as the contemporary era.
Over 30 years in operation Arte dei Suonatori have recorded and released 18 albums produced by renowned record companies (including BIS Records, Alpha, Channel Classics), distinguished by international music critics with awards such as Gramophone Award (Recording of the Year: Concerto in 2003 for Vivaldi’s Violin Concerti “La Stravaganza”), Diapason d’Or (Müthel’s The Five Keyboard Concertos), Diapason 5 and Choc du Monde de la Musique (repeatedly).
Since its formation, the orchestra has worked with a wide range of major figures of the early music world. For over 3 years the ensemble enjoys particularly fruitful and inspiring collaboration with Marcin Swiatkiewicz as harpsichord soloist and conductor. In the 2023-2024 season, Arte dei Suonatori celebrates its 30th anniversary on the international music scene.
Bjarke Mogensen
Already during his student years, Bjarke Mogensen had his solo debut-recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York and performed in European venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Barbican Hall, London.
He has performed chamber music in duo with among others violinist Gidon Kremer, violist Tatjana Masurenko and cellist Andreas Brantelid. As a soloist he has worked with orchestras such as the Moscow Virtuosi, Kremerata Baltica, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, The Tiroler Symphony Orchestra, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Prague Radio Orchestra, Cairo Symphony Orchestra and The Copenhagen Philharmonic.
Bjarke Mogensen’s repertoire is almost unlimited, with a span ranging from folk music and accordion classics over his own arrangements and transcriptions to brand new works for accordion as well as improvisation.
Bjarke Mogensen plays the Mythos Accordion No.5 often described as the Stradivarius of the accordion. He is also among the very few accordionists in the world who plays the quarter tonal accordion, an instrument which was custom made in Italy. Bjarke Mogensen graduated from the soloist class at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, where he now is an associate professor of accordion and chamber music.
Bolette Roed
Bolette Roed graduated from the advanced solo performance class of the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Soon after her debut, Bolette was appointed Artist-in-Residence of the Danish National Radio and in 2011 she was nominated for the Nordic Council’s Music Prize. Furthermore she received the Grand Prize of Jacob Gade Foundation in 2003 and the highly esteemed “The Danish Music Critics Prize 2014”. And she was elected for The Danish State Art Council’s “Young Elite” program.
Bolette is an all-embracing musician, working not only with the classical repertoire for recorder, but also with improvisation, folk and world music. Her repertoire ranges from medieval through renaissance and baroque to contemporary music and she has world premiered a large number of works. As part of her innate curiosity Bolette is constantly striving to expand the musical playground of the recorder.
Since 2004, Bolette has toured as a soloist with Arte dei Suonatori, Concerto Copenhagen, the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Holland Baroque and the Royal Danish Orchestra.
Besides persuing her solo career, Bolette often performs in smaller or larger chamber music settings – including her own ensembles Alpha, Concert Pastoral and Elephant House Quartet.
She has released a large number of CD’s – most recently as the first ever Brüggens complete arrangements for recorder of selected J. S. Bach solo repertoire from the solo cello suites and violin partitas and sonatas. Of future releases can be mentioned “Telemanns Garden” on Pentatone with Elephant House Quartet, to be released in the fall of 2019.
Christian IV’s Vocal Ensemble
Christian IV’s Vocal Ensemble is named after Denmark’s music-loving king who enjoyed surrounding himself with the best music Europe had to offer. The ensemble was formed in 2005 by conductor and harpsichordist Ruben Munk, performing Bach’s St. John Passion with Christian IV’s Baroque Ensemble. Since 2014, the ensemble has consisted of eight professional singers from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, establishing itself with an international level of performance. Throughout the years, they have presented numerous concerts and radio broadcasts in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and the Baltics.
The repertoire primarily focuses on vocal music from the Renaissance period as well as contemporary pieces. Starting from 2021, the ensemble has found a permanent home in the Helligaandskirken (Church of the Holy Spirit), one of Copenhagen’s largest and centrally located churches.
Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli
Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli is an accomplished Italian soprano known for her remarkable vocal talent and expressive performances. She has gained recognition both in the opera world and in the realm of early music. Francesca has collaborated with prestigious opera houses, festivals, and orchestras worldwide, showcasing her versatility and mastery across a diverse range of musical styles and periods. Her performances in baroque and early music repertoire have garnered particular praise, as she exhibits a profound understanding of historically informed performance practices.
With a voice that possesses a captivating blend of warmth, agility, and emotional depth, Francesca has earned critical acclaim for her portrayals of various leading roles, from Baroque operas by composers like Handel and Monteverdi to works by Mozart and more. Her interpretations often display a deep connection to the characters she portrays, captivating audiences and drawing them into the heart of the narrative.
Gertie Johnsson
Gertie Johnsson is an accomplished recorder player who has studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, and the Indiana University Early Music Institute in the USA. She has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player both nationally and internationally. Gertie has given numerous concerts and workshops in Europe, the USA, Brazil, and Israel. She was also a co-organizer of the Copenhagen Early Music Festival for several years. Her research focuses on performance practices of 14th and 15th-century music, taking her work across the globe.
In her performances, Gertie often integrates elements of stage art, poetry, and music. She has an extensive record of radio, television, and CD recordings, including her own composition “Bagvand” for four bass recorders and percussion. Gertie is passionate about nurturing young Danish musicians and has founded the RUM!KLANG composition workshops. She works as a talent developer and teaches recorder and chamber music at MGK Sjælland and the Roskilde Music and Cultural School.
Girls’ Choir of Fredensborg Slotskirke
The Girls’ Choir of Fredensborg Palace Chapel is among the country’s finest church choirs. The choir aims to deliver choral singing at the highest level for worship services, high masses, baptisms, and weddings. On special occasions, the choir performs for the Royal Family, and the choir’s patron is Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte.
The Girls’ Choir consists of singers aged 14 to 22, and over the past 5 years, which have achieved an impressive level with a broad repertoire that spans from classical church music to popular music. Currently they are a group of 30 strong voices, providing ample space for personal development and a wonderful sense of community.
Johanka Sniehottova
Johanka Sniehottova is a Czech musician specializing in the recorder. Born into a family of musicians, she developed a passion for music from an early age. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recorder/Consort from The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where she studied under the guidance of Bolette Roed. Johanka has participated in various courses and masterclasses, learning from renowned musicians such as Erik Bosgraaf, Walter van Hauwe, and Ashley Solomon. Her talent and dedication have been recognized in competitions, where she achieved notable prizes, including the third prize in the National Czech Competition of Conservatories in 2018.
In addition to her studies and achievements, Johanka has gained valuable experience as a recorder teacher at the Studénka Private Music School MUSICALE. She is a member of two ensembles, Trio Cunando and Trio Lumen. Trio Cunando, consisting of a baroque cello and a harpsichord, actively performs in Denmark, while Trio Lumen, a recorder consort, focuses on Renaissance and medieval music and has performed in Sweden and Denmark. Johanka’s dedication, diverse musical experiences, and exposure to renowned musicians have shaped her into a well-rounded musician, passionate about early music interpretation.
Jonas Frølund
Young Danish clarinet talent Jonas Frølund, currently studying at the Conservatoire de Paris, holds the position of principal clarinetist in Denmark’s Underholdningsorkester. He is also a contracted solo clarinetist with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, dedicating half of his time to this role. Jonas is a finalist for the position of principal clarinetist at the Royal Opera House in London and a member of the award-winning wind quintet V Coloris. Additionally, he has won several international clarinet competitions.
In 2019, Jonas achieved first prize at the Lisbon International Clarinet Competition, performing at ClarinetFest, the world’s largest clarinet fair organized by the International Clarinet Association (ICA). As part of his first prize, he was scheduled to perform at the 2021 fair in Texas, where his concert would have showcased new Danish clarinet music. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair was held virtually.
Marc Mauillon
Exploring the relationship between words and music is at the heart of Marc Mauillon’s artistic approach. Along with his ability to take on both baritone and tenor repertories, and his so recognisable timbre, his sense of colour and diction serve his insatiable curiosity.
From medieval music to contemporary repertoire, from opera to recital, his career history is a reflection of an unordinary eclecticism. Meeting W.Christie for the 1st Jardin des Voix, then J.Savall, at first opened up for him a magnificent field of exploration of early music, which he later expanded.
Passionate about chamber music, he performs in particular with P.Hamon, V.Biffi, A.Mauillon, G.Coppola, A. Le Bozec, M.Rignol, M.Mankar and T.Roussel, adapting the art of singing to suit the music, the repertoires and the characters that his voice portrays.
In addition to numerous opera broadcasts, Marc Mauillon has made several recordings : three of secular music by Machaut, two collections of melodies by Poulenc and Fauré, an anthology on First World War musicians, Florentine monodies by Peri and Caccini, Leçons de Ténèbres by Lambert and a solo a cappella recital. Regularly praised by the critics, this discography enlightens his choices.
The Choir of Merton College
The Choir of Merton College consists of 30 undergraduate and graduate students at Oxford University reading for degrees in a variety of subjects. The choir’s primary duty is singing regular services in the famous 13th-century Chapel.
Since the establishment of Merton’s Choral Foundation in 2008, the choir has gained an international reputation for offering the best of choral music through tours, recordings and broadcasts. The choir won the 2020 award for best choral album at the BBC Music Magazine Awards for its recording of Gabriel Jackson’s The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The choir’s discography on the Delphian label has seen numerous five-star reviews and many recordings have been named ‘Editor’s Choice’ by Gramophone magazine.
The choir has recently appeared at The Three Choirs Festival, the Cheltenham Music Festival, the concert series at St John’s Smith Square, Cadogan Hall and The Temple Church. The choir is regularly heard in concert with orchestra: recent collaborations have seen the choir perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Elgar’s The Apostles), Instruments of Time and Truth (Bach’s St Matthew Passion) and Oxford Baroque (Bach’s Mass in B minor). The choir’s annual festival, Passiontide at Merton, has an established place in Oxford’s musical calendar, and has led to exciting collaborations with such groups as The Cardinall’s Musick and The Marian Consort.
Roskilde Renaissance Band
The Roskilde Renaissance Band consists of around 50 enthusiastic musicians who breathe life into 500-year-old exotic Renaissance music using historical instruments. Each project is built around changing themes or historical events, decided upon collectively by the members of the orchestra.
The preparation process involves both individual practice and a large workshop weekend in the spring, where the music is pieced together to create a cohesive concert experience. During this time, the musicians have the freedom to contribute their own ideas and musical inputs, which greatly influences the final project. After the workshop weekend, the orchestra reunites for concert tours in venues such as Roskilde Cathedral, Tivoli Concert Hall, Koldinghus Castle Ruins, and Helsingør Cathedral.
The band has been active since 2012 and is supported by teachers specializing in wind instruments, strings, percussion, and bowed instruments. These teachers take turns conducting and jamming with the orchestra. The performances are lively, vibrant, and full of swing as the sounds from a bygone era bring the past closer than ever.
Steinar Granmo-Nilsen
Steinar Granmo-Nilsen, born in 1970, is an associate professor of natural horn. He is employed by the Norwegian Wind Ensemble in Halden. Previously, he served for many years in the Norwegian Armed Forces Staff Band in Oslo. He grew up in Trondheim and initially studied at the Trøndelag Music Conservatory under Stein Villanger. He then traveled to Germany to complete his diploma studies in orchestral performance at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Freiburg under Ifor James (valve horn) and Renée Allen (natural horn). He completed his studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music with a major in chamber music under Frøydis Ree Wekre.
In 1999, Granmo-Nilsen participated in the renowned Festival d’Art Lyrique in Aix-en-Provence, France, as a member of L’Académie Européenne de Musique. He participated as an orchestral musician, chamber musician, and soloist, and received the academy’s prize as instrumentalist of the year for his contributions. In 2000, he won second prize in the Princess Astrid Music Award.
Steinar Granmo-Nilsen’s repertoire ranges from Baroque to contemporary music. He performs as a chamber musician and soloist on both modern and historical horns. He has performed with several leading Nordic Baroque orchestras and is a regular member of the Oslo Chamber Academy.
