Early Music New York
Early Music New York (EM/NY) reaps international acclaim for vibrant and provocative performances of historically informed repertoire from the medieval through the classical eras. Presented by the Early Music Foundation, EM/NY performs its subscription programs “In-Residence” at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine as well as the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
In addition, EM/NY is frequently invited to perform for: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters, The Pierpont Morgan Library, Hayden Planetarium, Columbia University, The New York Botanical Garden, Century Club, other select New York City venues.
EM/NY is unique in that it performs the gamut of historically informed repertoire and genres, encompassing medieval drama, medieval & Renaissance ensemble concerts and baroque & classical orchestra events on original instruments. Renowned internationally for its productions of medieval plays produced and directed by Frederick Renz, EM/NY's repertory includes: “Daniel and the Lions,” “Sponsus - the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins,” “Le Roman de Fauvel,” as well as the entire Fleury Playbook.
Performing forces range from a medieval ‘dance band’ to men's and a woman's vocal/instrumental ensembles performing medieval and Renaissance repertoire. Orchestra programs include works from Monteverdi to Mozart - from early baroque through the classical era, featuring 12 to 60 specialist/players of original instruments.
Early Music New York (known prior to 2002 as New York's Ensemble for Early Music and New York's Grande Bande of Original Instruments) enjoys an international performance schedule encompassing engagements throughout the United States and abroad. Highlights include critically acclaimed performances at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress and Wolf Trap, as well as appearances at major international festivals in Athens, Brisbane, Charleston, Cracow, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Paris, Ravinia, Regensburg, Rome, San Antonio, Siena, Spoleto and Tokyo.
EM/NY is featured extensively on national television (CBS News “Sunday Morning,” ABC News “Nightline,” and ABC “Good Morning America”); both National Public Radio and American Public Radio (“Millennium of Music,” “St. Paul Sunday Morning” and “Performance Today”) as well as locally on WQXR, WNYC, WBAI and WKCR.
Early Music New York is heard in 11 compact discs on the Ex cathedra label (since 1998) in addition to 10 previous titles for Musical Heritage Society, Foné, Nonesuch, Musicmasters, and Lyrichord labels.