The Academy of Ancient Music is one of the world’s foremost orchestras specialising in period music. The orchestra enhances the lives of thousands of music lovers each year through unique baroque and classical performances, in the style intended by composers and on period-appropriate instruments.
Since 1973 the Academy of Ancient Music has sought to reinvigorate period music by stripping away modern conventions that undermine the authenticity of classic pieces. Their work further bridges the divide between musician and audience and now the AAMplify new generation scheme is attracting new younger audiences eager for inspirational listening experiences.
Christopher Purves, bass soloist in the AAM's recording of Bach's St John Passion, talks about why we're still performing this work in the twenty-first century.
Richard Egarr rehearses the AAM and Choir of the AAM in the chorus 'Ruht wohl' from Bach's St John Passion.
Recorded live at Henry Wood Hall, London on 27 March 2013.
Richard Egarr rehearses the AAM and Choir of the AAM in the opening chorus of Bach's St John Passion.
Recorded live at Henry Wood Hall, London on 27 March 2013.
AAM Music Director Richard Egarr talks about his love of JS Bach's St John Passion, and outlines how you can get involved with the AAM's new recording.
Visit aam.co.uk/Passion for more details
Philip Turbett, bassoonist with the Academy of Ancient Music, demonstrates the baroque contrabassoon.
Filmed at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in June 2012, when the Academy of Ancient Music performed Handel's Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. The contrabassoon featured in the Music for the Royal Fireworks, as Handel intended.
Handel's 'Zadok the Priest' from Coronation Anthems, performed by the Academy of Ancient Music and Choir of the AAM conducted by Music Director Richard Egarr.
Watch it live at Barbican Hall, London (26 September 2012) and Corn Exchange, Cambridge (27 September 2012). Details at aam.co.uk/concerts
Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani explores Bach's Canon in augmentation and contrary motion from The Art of Fugue.
In July 2012 Mahan directed the Academy of Ancient Music in his own arrangement of The Art of Fugue at the BBC Proms.
Ahead of the world-premiere performance of Mahan Esfahani's arrangement of The Art of Fugue at the 2012 BBC Proms, hear exclusive rehearsal footage and interviews with Mahan and players from the Academy of Ancient Music.
Hear the performance live from the BBC Proms on Saturday 21 July 2012.
La Rejouissance and Menuets from Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks. Performed by the Academy of Ancient Music, conducted by Richard Egarr, and recorded live at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
On Sunday 3 June 2012, the Academy of Ancient Music performed Handel's Water Music as part of Her Majesty The Queen's Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. This film follows the story of the day, including performance and interviews with the players.
On Sunday 3 June 2012, the AAM performed Handel's Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks as part of the Thames Jubilee Celebrations. This film follows their preparations for the day, including rehearsal footage and interviews.
On Sunday 3 June 2012, the Academy of Ancient Music began the day by performing a chamber arrangement of Handel's Water Music on a Thames tow-path, close to Hammersmith Bridge. That afternoon we performed the Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks as part of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
Pavlo Beznosiuk and Bojan Cicic - violins
Ursula Leveaux - bassoon
Richard Egarr - harpsichord
Claire Hammett - harpsichord technician
JS Bach's Sinfonia to Cantata No.42, from a live performance by the Academy of Ancient Music on original instruments.
Visit www.aam.co.uk to find out more about the orchestra and its music
Academy of Ancient Music
Richard Egarr (director & harpsichord)
Recorded live at West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge in September 2011
AAM players share their thoughts on rehearsals with Alina Ibragimova - the violinist's first occasion directing a period-instrument band.
Filmed at Dartington Hall in February 2012.
www.aam.co.uk
The AAM's principal cellist Joseph Crouch explains how to make a drum out of a cello, as called for in Biber's revolutionary Battalia.
Filmed as part of the AAM's tour with Alina Ibragimova (director & violin) in February and March 2012.
The Academy of Ancient Music performs music by Biber, Bach and Vivaldi, directed by violinist Alina Ibragimova, charting developments in the role of the violin as a solo instrument.
Filmed live at Bath BachFest in February 2012.
On 25 November 2011, superstar soprano Sumi Jo makes a rare appearance in London for one night only to sing Mozart with the Academy of Ancient Music.
Book now at http://www.cadoganhall.com/showpage.php?pid=1522
The trailer features Sumi singing Handel's 'Tornami a vagghegiar' with the Academy of Ancient Music as part of a tour of the Far East in May 2011.
Ahead of his UK debut, performing Paganini's Second Violin Concerto with the AAM, Shunske Sato discusses the composer's impact on violin making and the great pianists of the day.
Includes Paganini's Moto Perpetuo, with AAM Music Director Richard Egarr at the piano.
Our apologies for the background noise during the interview.
Watch Shunske's UK debut on 10 October 2011 in Cambridge and 12 October 2011 in London. More details at www.aam.co.uk/concerts
Shunske Sato (violin) and Richard Egarr (harpsichord) perform Corelli's Sonata in D major for violin and harpsichord Op.5 No.1.
Richard Egarr, Music Director of the Academy of Ancient Music, first heard Shunske when judging the 2010 Leipzig Bach Competition. Shunske was a major prizewinner.
In October 2011 Shunske Sato makes his UK debut performing Paganini with the Academy of Ancient Music in Cambridge and London. Full details at www.aam.co.uk/concerts
JS Bach's cantatas, featuring the Academy of Ancient Music and Choir of the AAM, directed by Richard Egarr.
In July 2011 the AAM performs three of Bach's cantatas in London and Cambridge as part of The Bach Dynasty, a year-long celebration of the music of JS Bach and his composer relatives.
Visit www.aam.co.uk to find out more.
Ahead of performances of the St John Passion with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Joseph Crouch (principal cellist of the Academy of Ancient Music and former King's College Choral Scholar) talks about his relationship with this famous choir.
A short film about the AAM's performances of work by JS Bach's sons with Steven Isserlis. The concerts were part of The Bach Dynasty, the AAM's year-long concert series exploring the music of JS Bach and his extraordinary family.
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Perspectives on JS Bach's St John Passion - Christopher Purves
JS Bach - St John Passion 'Ruht wohl' - in rehearsal
JS Bach - St John Passion 'Herr unser Herrscher' - in rehearsal
Richard Egarr discusses JS Bach's St John Passion
In profile: the baroque contrabassoon
Exploring Bach's music: The Art of Fugue
JS Bach - The Art of Fugue - arr. Mahan Esfahani
Handel Music for the Royal Fireworks
Handel on the Thames: AAM at the Jubilee Pageant
Handel on the Thames: preparing for the Pageant
Handel on the Thames: AAM on BBC Breakfast
JS Bach Sinfonia to Cantata No.42
In rehearsal with Alina Ibragimova
Biber's Battalia: making a cello into a drum
Alina Ibragimova plays Bach, Biber and Vivaldi
Sumi Jo and the Academy of Ancient Music
Corelli Violin Sonata with Shunske Sato and Richard Egarr
AAM and Steven Isserlis - JS Bach's sons
