Retrospect Ensemble
Representation: Worldwide
Launched on 1 May 2009, Retrospect Ensemble gave its inaugural UK performance at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, opening the festival with a critically acclaimed performance of Handel’s late masterpiece, Jephtha. Shortly afterwards they made their Edinburgh Festival Debut with soprano Carolyn Sampson.
Founded by Matthew Halls, Retrospect Ensemble is embarking on a new journey both for its musicians and audiences – exploring the repertoire of four centuries and embracing the practices, styles and aesthetics of former ages with renewed vigour and a fresh approach. The choice of the name Retrospect Ensemble ensures that the group need not restrict itself to one particular historical period nor to a rigid configuration; concerts range from small chamber ensemble to full orchestra and choir.
This versatility has led to the formation of a small fixed-personnel group, Retrospect Trio, in which Matthew Halls is joined by three of Europe’s leading period string specialists: Matthew Truscott, Sophie Gent and Jonathan Manson. The group’s debut CD recording of Purcell’s exquisite Sonatas of four parts was chosen as ‘CD of the week’ by The Sunday Times and selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ by Gramophone Magazine, in addition to being nominated for a Gramophone Award in the Baroque Instrumental Category. The first in a series of collaborations with the innovative label, Linn Records, this debut release will be followed by a disc of Bach’s Easter Oratorio and Ascension Oratorio. In February 2011, Retrospect Trio recorded the second volume of Purcell Sonatas, due for release in 2012.
The arrival of Retrospect Ensemble has been warmly received and forming the backbone of its UK concert season is their series at Wigmore Hall. Retrospect’s 2010/11 Wigmore Hall season includes a wonderfully celebratory New Year’s Eve programme of two cantatas from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, an exciting evening of Purcell arias performed by Retrospect Trio and the stunning young British soprano, Julia Doyle; and Matthew Halls’ own arrangement of Bach Goldberg Variations for string quartet and harpsichord in a late night summer concert.
Current and forthcoming engagements include appearances at two of London’s foremost festivals, the Spitalfields Festival and Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music. The ensemble has established an exciting partnership with the Korean National Opera, following an initial collaboration for performances of Gluck Orfeo ed Euridice in Spring 2010, and has a flourishing Young Artist Programme, demonstrative of Halls’ commitment to working with and developing young talent.
Retrospect Ensemble’s Artistic Director, Matthew Halls, has established himself as one of today’s leading young conductors. In recent years he has made significant guest conducting debuts with orchestras such as the Houston Symphony, Tonkünstler Orchestra, Bach Collegium Stuttgart, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Iceland Symphony and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Forthcoming engagements include concerts with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Het Residentie Orkest and Northern Sinfonia.
Promoters please note: if you wish to include this biography in a concert programme etc, please contact Hazard Chase to ensure that you receive the most up to date version.
Email: Emily Eason
