Andrew Kirkman conductor Mark Chambers, William Towers alto Thomas Hobbs, Edwin Simpson, Matthew Vine, Christopher Watson tenor Will Gaunt, Giles Underwood bass

The Binchois Consort was founded in 1995 to perform Dufay’s Mass for St Anthony of Padua as part of a liturgical Mass for the Saint’s feast day. Its recording of that Mass (CDA66854) was released by Hyperion in 1996 to an enthusiastic critical reception. All its subsequent discs have received similarly stunning reviews. The second, Music for St James the Greater by Guillaume Dufay, received numerous awards, including Recording of the Month and Early Music Recording of the Year in Gramophone magazine and a Diapason d’or. The group’s fourth disc, Josquin Des Prez and his Contemporaries, was voted runner-up to the Early Music Recording of the Year for 2002 by Gramophone; and its next release, of Masses and motets by Busnois, Domarto and Pullois, was shortlisted for the same award and received the coveted G5 of Goldberg magazine and Five stars in BBC Music magazine. The sixth recording, of a Mass, Puisque je vis, thought to be by Dufay, along with motets by Dufay, Compère and others, was named Diapason decouverte by Diapason and received various other music industry accolades. It has performed throughout Europe and the USA. to rapturous receptions.

Sample Programme:

St Anthony of Padua held a very particular significance in the devotions of Guillaume Dufay. The main expression of his veneration was undoubtedly the Mass which he composed in St Anthony’s honour. This Mass, of breathtaking beauty, was a deeply personal expression: Dufay’s will specifies that it was to be performed every year on St Anthony’s feast day in front of his own funeral monument in Cambrai Cathedral. Our programme places Dufay’s great personal musical statement alongside a motet also intended for annual performance in St Anthony’s honour.

Education:

We are all experienced educators and love to conduct workshops and open rehearsals, especially in school settings. All our programmes are designed with a didactic element in mind, and we are keen to work with promoters to devise educational activities to suit their needs.

Recordings:

Forthcoming: Du Fay and Savoy to be recorded by Hyperion, February 2008.
Complete current discography at http://www.binchoisconsort.com/discography.cfm The website also has music files, including live performances

Performances:

16 Sep 06 Maastricht Festival
29 Jun 07 Madeira Festival, Funchal, Madeira
4 Sep 07 Trento MusicanticaTrento, Italy

Contact:

Andrew Kirkman, 212 Wilson Avenue, Hightstown, NJ 08520, USA

Tel: 00 1 609 448 9795
Mobile 07974 790650

Email: kirkman@rci.rutgers.edu
Website: www.binchoisconsort.com