Baroque Trumpet Ensemble Berlin
artistic director: Johann Plietzsch
Handel Festival Halle 2024
a concert review
European Festive Music from France, Germany & England
for a large Wind & Drums Ensemble on period instruments
Developed and conducted by Johann Plietzsch.
To perform this wonderful concert program at the Händelfestspiele Halle 2024 (...and intentionally following the titel!), Johann Plietzsch & the Barocktrompeten Ensemble Berlin invited 34 musicians from nearly all over Europe – outstanding players from Spain, France, Greatbritain, Ireland, Poland, Netherlands, Austria & Germany –
a really european project!
Twelve Oboes, nine Trumpets, three French-Horns, three Bassoons, three Double-Bassoons (in an advanced notice for a concert in London 1739 – the participation of two „Double-Bassoons“ was advertised as an absolute sensation!), four pairs of timpani, including one octave lower tuned pair (following period records, Handel borrowed this type of "military drums" from the Tower of London for his concerts) - Power of Music!
Photos: Thomas Ziegler
„Trummet ist ein herrlich Instrument / wenn ein guter Meister / der es wol und künstlich zwingen kann / darüber kömmt...“
Michael Prätorius (1571-1621)
The Baroque Trumpet Ensemble Berlin, founded in 1990 by Johann Plietzsch, specializes in trumpet music from 1500 to 1800. The repertoire of the ensemble extends from the oldest preserved processional and ceremonial music of the court trumpeters, through the period of the flourishing art of playing clarino in Europe from the end of the 17th. to the middle of the 18th. century, to the orchestral trumpet parts of the Classical Period.
The main core of the ensemble consists of four baroque trumpets and timpani. Cooperation with singers and other instrumentalists allows the presentation of the full extend of baroque trumpet music possibilities, from intimate chamber music to the full-scored sound of court music in all its splendor. Thus it is possible to present to the listener all the rich sounds of the early music tradition. Read more...
