Cambridge University Collegium Musicum
(formerly the Faculty of Music Baroque Ensemble)
Artistic Directors: Martin Ennis, Margaret Faultless, Andrew Jones.
Introduction
The ensemble
The makers and their instruments
Contacts
Concerts
Introduction
The Cambridge University Collegium Musicum – our recently established ensemble of Baroque instruments – forms part of our programme of encouraging practical music-making within the University. The instruments have been commissioned from leading makers of period instruments in this country and abroad. Members of the Collegium are drawn from across the whole University and receive professional coaching in historical performing techniques. Either the full Collegium or chamber groups derived from it will give a small number of concerts each year. The Faculty of Music will continue to support the Collegium, and will foster existing links with professional groups such as The Academy of Ancient Music, currently one of the ensembles in residence at the Faculty.
The orchestra, when complete, will comprise:
- eight violins
- three violas
- three cellos
- one double bass
- two flutes
- two oboes
- one bassoon
- three trumpets
- two horns
- one harpsichord
- one chamber organ
The Faculty of Music has already raised the sum of £77,000 from its own resources. This, in addition to a generous grant of £24,000 from the Societies Syndicate of Cambridge University, has enabled the Faculty to purchase six violins, two violas, two cellos, one double bass, two flutes, and two oboes. (The Faculty already owned one baroque viola and a harpsichord.) One bassoon, three trumpets, and a chamber organ have been commissioned, and the Faculty is working hard to raise the money needed to complete the project. If you would like to support the activities of the Collegium, please contact one of the Artistic Directors (see ‘Contacts’).
The makers and their instruments
Alan Beavitt, Scorraig
Three violins: all based on Cremonese models of c. 1720, heavily influenced by Stradivari, all dated 2006.
Rowland H. Ross, Hampshire
Three violins: one based on Guarneri del Gesù model of 1742 (the ‘Cannon’), dated 2005; one based on Stradivari model of 1715 (‘von Vecsey’), dated 2005; one based on Nicolò Amati model of 1662 (‘Grand Amati’), dated 2006.
Chris Johnson, Loughborough Viola in the style of Andrea Guarneri, dated 2006.
Jonathan Woolston, Cambridge Viola in the style of Andrea Guarneri model of 1676 (‘Conte Vitale’), dated 2006. David Rubio, Cambridge
Cello based on 1770 Italian model, dated 1987.
George Stoppani, Manchester
Cello based on Stradivari model of 1710 (‘Gore-Booth’), dated 2006.
Kai-Thomas Roth, Somerset
Double bass made after the outline of an original by Domenico Montagnana (Venice, 1747), dated 2006.
Martin Wenner, Singen, Germany
Two flutes after Carlo Palanca (Turin, c. 1750) , dated 2006.
Pau Orriols, Barcelona, Catalonia
Two oboes after Thomas Stanesby, dated 2006.
The instruments will be loaned free of charge to members of the Collegium for one year at a time; those who use the instruments will be responsible for their day-to-day maintenance. It will be possible for the ensemble (players plus instruments) or sections of it to be hired for short periods. Anyone interested in doing so should contact one of the Directors (see ‘Contacts’).
Contacts
Co-ordinator:
Rachel Stroud; rls56@cam.ac.uk
Artistic directors:
Martin Ennis, Girton College, Cambridge, CB3 0JG; mwe20@cam.ac.uk
Margaret Faultless, Girton College, Cambridge CB3 0JG; maggiefaultless@talktalk.net
Andrew Jones, Selwyn College, Cambridge, CB3 9DQ; avj1000@cam.ac.uk