Musica Amphion

Musica Amphion is a popular chamber ensemble devoted to the performance of 17th and 18th century music on period instruments. A look at its discography and concert repertory divulges strong loyalty to its stated aim: the names J.S. Bach, Handel, Telemann, Sweelinck, Corelli, Purcell, and Mozart prominently figure in the repertory, but lesser known, and often rarely encountered Baroque and early Classical composers are given attention, as well, including Peter Cornet, Herman Hollanders, Cornelis Padbrué, Cornelis Schuyt, and Nicolas Vallet. The ensemble has made many recordings, most available on the Brilliant Classics label. Musica Amphion was formed in 1993 by harpsichordist and recorder player Pieter-Jan Belder, who typically conducts the ensemble from the keyboard during performance. The name of the group derives from Greek mythology: Amphion, the son of Zeus and Antiope, was a great singer and player of the lyre. There are about eight core musicians in Musica Amphion, though the number can expand or contract depending on the work played. Rémy Baudet is the group's concertmaster and serves in that capacity in the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century under famed conductor Frans Brüggen. Like Baudet, the other members of Musica Amphion play in one or more other prominent orchestras, such as the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Academy of Ancient Music, Les Musiciens du Louvre, and several more. The individual players also regularly appear in concert in chamber groups and in solo roles. Following its formation, Musica Amphion gave regular concerts, mostly in Amsterdam, particularly in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, but also at the Bach Festival. In addition, it has appeared throughout Holland, notably at the Festival Classique in The Hague and the Early Music Festival Utrecht. Musica Amphion's first recordings began to appear in the early years of the new century. Among the more ambitious projects was a 10-CD set of the complete works of Corelli, issued on Brilliant Classics in 2005. Other ambitious recording projects would follow, including a seven-disc set of the complete chamber music of Henry Purcell, also on Brilliant Classics, issued in 2008. In the 2009-2010 season Musica Amphion served as the ensemble-in-residence at the Arnhem Musis Sacrum (concert hall). That season also involved much concert activity for the group throughout Holland and in France, with an appearance in Paris in April. Among Musica Amphion's later recordings is the 2009 Brilliant Classics CD of selections from Telemann's Tafelmusik.