Linking Early Music: Conductors and Concerts

By Bernard Gordillo

Published August 21, 2019 at 6:48 PM EDT

Links of note from the world of Early Music—meet a couple of directors you might not have heard of, read about ones you probably have, and listen to a couple of recorded performances. As well, sit in on a discussion about concert silence.

A musical life: David McGuinness, director of the Scottish baroque ensemble Concerto Caledonia, has been keeping a blog/diary for ten years(!). Read about the personal and working life of one of Scotland’s most successful musicians.

Messiah redux: Did you miss your annual Messiah this past December? Do you want another? Watch Jane Glover conduct the choir and baroque orchestra of Trinity Wall Street (New York) in a performance of the entire work.

Getting to know you: John Eliot Gardiner was recently featured in an interview by Andrew Clark of the Financial Times. Gardiner has received attention elsewhere, too, as the title character in "John Eliot is Unwell, a short play based on true events."

In honor of: William Christie received France's highest cultural honor just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Les Arts Florissants. As a result, he got some pretty fancy duds.

Introducing: Marek Štryncl, cellist and director of the Czech baroque ensemble Musica Florea. Haven't heard of him or the group? Well, they have a great website. You can alsodownload their Czech Radio recording of J.S. Bach's complete 'Brandenburg' Concertos for free.

“Disturbing the Orchestra”: Conductor Vladimir Jurowski and two violinists from the Orchestra of the Age of Elightenment take part in a BBC Radio 4 interview about silence in the concert hall.