Biography
Hortus Musicus is an Estonian ensemble that was established in 1972 by Andres Mustonen, a violin student of the Tallinn State Conservatory. Hortus Musicus specialises in performing early music, including 8th-15th century European forms such as; Gregorian Chant, Organum, Medieval Liturgic Hymns and Motets, the Franco-Flemish School, and Renaissance Music (including French chansons, villanelles and Italian madrigals). The group also presents early, non-European styles including Indian Ragas, Israeli temple songs, Arabian mughams and Jewish music. The group's repertoire has also included pieces by 20th century composers (often created specially for Hortus Musicus, e.g. by Arvo Pärt).
Hortus Musicus has given concerts in the US, Japan, Israel, as well as having performed at several major early music festivals. They have recorded approximately 35 programmes, a portion of which is available from companies such as Erdenklang, Musica Svecia, Forte and Finlandia Records. The group's latest recording is "Ave..." (2005): 'music from the late Middle Ages in memoriam Helle Mustonen (1950-2005)'.
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Members
Andres Mustonen - leader, violin, viola, recorder, cromorn
Olev Ainomäe - shawm, oboe, recorder, shalmey, cromorn, rauschpfeiff
Valter Jürgenson - trombone
Tõnis Kuurme - curtal, shawm, bassoon, recorder, cromorn, rauschpfeiff
Peeter Klaas - viol, cello
Imre Eenma - violone, contrabass, viola
Ivo Sillamaa - harpsichord, organ, piano
Joosep Vahermägi - tenor
Jaan Arder - baritone
Riho Ridbeck - bass, percussion
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.