Ars Antiqua

Ars Antiqua is a period instrument ensemble comprised of America’s finest baroque music specialists. They are artists in residence at the historic Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Chappaqua, New York where their dynamic performances have received critical acclaim. The group explores seventeenth and eighteenth-century music with a core ensemble that expands with guest artists in performances of larger scale Baroque repertoire. Ars Antiqua concerts are known for their unique integration of exciting musical performances with musicological research. Their innovative programs are designed to illuminate a particular style or genre of seventeenth and eighteenth century music and are presented within the context of Baroque art and social history. Among the guest speakers who have appeared on the ensemble’s programs is the much celebrated art historian/author Simon Schama. Artistic Director, Mark Kramer, and Mr. Schama have collaborated on a broad range of Ars Antiqua programs including; “A Parisian Picture Gallery: 18th Century French Musical Portraits,” “Speculum vitae: Music, Art & Dutch Society in the 17th Century,” “Versailles: Music, Satire & Revolution” and “Music from the Bach Ancestor Archive: Artistic Families.” Ars Antiqua has also collaborated with New York’s Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola on numerous projects, and have been presented in their Sacred Music in a Sacred Space series in New York City, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Summer Stars at Ocean Grove. Ars Antiqua has also appeared in collaboration with the Violins of Lafayette in a performance of Biber sacred works at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kramer is currently working on Ars Antiqua recording projects based on his research of rare musical manuscripts and their integral relationship to the visual arts, history and literature. A CD recently recorded, Six Parisian Quartets: L’art de modulation by François André Philidor with violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch will be released in 2016. “Music, performers and space fit perfectly together for a memorable concert in the Austrian Embassy atrium. Fine soloists in program of seventeenth-century Austrian works..........amazing melodic configurations and subtle but gutsy bowing.......pungent clarity........glorious show of poly-choral splendor. All in all, a brilliant occasion. -Washington Post “My enthusiasm stems from the fact that this was not one of those correct but oh-so-stiff early music performances but was filled with spirit and vitality throughout. These musicians undoubtedly understand the proper performance practice well enough to let go and give pleasure through their craft.” -Francis Brancaleone, Gannett Papers