Harmony of Nations Baroque Orchestra (Baroque Orchestra)

Founded: Europe

Harmony of Nations (= HON) is a period-instrument orchestra of young musicians from all over Europe, specialising in the music of the Baroque era. They got to know each other during the year they spent touring as members of the European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO), and decided that the experience was too rewarding for it not to continue.

While with European Union Baroque Orchestra, the musicians performed under the direction of some of the finest Baroque musicians in Europe: Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Ton Koopman, Andrew Manze and Laurence Cummings. They gave concerts all over Europe including Paris, London, Prague and Amsterdam, playing music ranging from Biber, Purcell and Charpentier, to J.S. Bach, Georg Philipp Telemann, George Frideric Handel, Rameau and Jan Dismas Zelenka. They also made a recording of the G.F. Handel's cantata Ero e Leandro with the Polish soprano Iwona Sobotka, First Prize Winner Laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium, 2004. Rehearsing and touring in such a concentrated way gave their playing a depth and energy that they carry forward into the new independent orchestra.

The 20 founding members of the orchestra come from 14 different nations: Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. Many have also lived and studied in countries other than their own. It is this incredible diversity of cultural heritage and musical experience that gives Harmony of Nations its unique character, and a vivacity that echoes the hectic pace of modern European life while simultaneously reigniting a common musical heritage.

Members of Harmony of Nations:

Violins: Bárbara Barros, Katarina Bengtson, Huw Daniel, Kristin Deeken, Roswitha Dokalik, Linda Hannah-Andersson, Johannes Heim, Clara Mühlethaler, Fani Vovoni
Viola: Magdalena Malecka
Cellos: Gyöngy Erödi, Lucy Scotchmer
Double-bass: Riccardo Coelati Rama
Oboes: Elisabeth Baumer, Josep Domènech Lafont
Bassoon: Katrin Lazar
Organ/Harpsichord: Raphaël Collignon, Christian Kjos
Management: Aloïse Fiala

Source: Harmony of Nations Baroque Orchesrta Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (January 2018)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Laurence Cummings

Orchestra

[O-3] (2010): Orchestral Suite No. 4 in BWV 1069 (Early version); Concerto for harpsichord, 2 recorders, strings & continuo No. 6 BWV 1057; Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048; Concerto for 3 violins, strings & continuo (reconstruction), BWV 1063R; Concerto for 3 violin/s, strings & continuo (reconstruction), BWV 1064R

Links to other Sites

Harmony of Nations Baroque Orchestra (Official Website)