The Hampshire Consort

Here is yet another group interested in providing modern audiences with the sound traditions of the early brass ensemble. The group was founded in 1979 and is the resident early music ensemble at the Univeristy of New Hampshire. They have a very simple, but informative website which can be found here.

Renaissance Brass Music

If you're interested in a CD of Renaissance brass music, you're in luck. Renaissance Brass Music features the Eastman Brass Quintet and the Paris Instrumental Ensemble to bring you the works of Gabrieli, Scheidt, Weelkes, Simmes, Ferrabosco, Holborne, and Gibbons.

A Little Digression

For everyone in the class who thought the London Horn Sound was amazing (which it is), I have some great news for you. They've released a new CD titled "Give it One" and comprised of entirely jazz music. Who says the horn can't swing?

MEBC

The Maryland Early Brass Consort is based in Baltimore, Maryland. They specialize in the performance of early brass music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and Classical periods, using historically accurate instruments. They play for educational workshops, Renaissance fairs, equestrian events, weddings, and the like. They're website has some sample programs, as well as links to some natural trumpet history and a natural trumpet discography. Very cool.

Early Instruments

If you've found the posts so far absolutely riveting, and you are beginning to have the overwhelming feeling that you simply must have a historically correct sackbut, natural trumpet, natural horn, or baroque trombone, then you're in luck. Early MusiChicago happens to have a Sackbut Businesses sight which lists several makers of historical early brass instruments.

Renaissance Slide Trumpet

In searching for some Renaissance ensemble videos I came across a clip played on the slide trumpet. I had never heard of the slide trumpet before, so I did some digging and found a really interesting article which analyzes how early brass instruments would have been played from their depiction in artwork of the time. The author, Patrick Tröster, focuses specifically on the various origins of the slide trumpet.

His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts

I found this really cool video of His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts. This is an excerpt from a live concert in Greenwich, London.