Die Freitagsakademie (Instrumental Ensemble)

Founded: 1993 - Bern, Switzerland

The ensemble "Die Freitagsakademie" was founded in Bern 1993. The name originates from one of the first establishments of middle-class music life in the Berlin of the 18^th century: the FREITAGSAKADEMIEN, founded by Johann Gottlieb Janitsch in 1738. The Berlin society met regularly to make music together in a semi-public or private setting. The Freitagsakademien enjoyed an outstanding reputation and attracted musicians of the most varied origins.

This inspired, the hard core of the Ensemble consisting of the oboist Katharina Maria Suske, the flautist Jörg Fiedler, the cellist Bernhard Maurer and the harpsichordist Jörg-Andreas Bötticher in various constellations, devote themselves primarily to the music of the 17^th and 18^th century. The study of historical instruments and methods of musical practice as well as the performing techniques of this period form the obvious base. The „historical performance-customs“ should not be the ulterior motive. The musical consideration should be aimed at emphasizing the possibility to once again experiance.

The Ensemble can refer to a lively concert activity, from a small chamber-ensemble to a 30-headed orchestra, collaborating with a range of internationally reknowned colleagues and occasionally with well-known choirs. Since 2002 the Freitagsakademie runs its own series of concerts, the "Freitagskonzerte" at the Kunstmuseum Bern. Alongside performances in all the larger Swiss towns, several engagements have taken the Freitagsakademie to various European festivals and during The Bach-year 2000 to Japan. Several concert cross-sections made by Radio DRS2 and 2 CDs dedicated respectively To J.G. Janitsch and J.S. Bach give acoustic witness to the varied work of the ensemble.

Source: Die Freitagsakademie Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2006)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Under their name

Orchestra

BWV 202, BWV 210 [w/ Soprano Susanne Rydén]

Howard Griffiths

Orchestra

BWV 93, BWV 107

Links to other Sites

Die Freitagsakademie (Official Website) [German/English]