Musica Antiqua Köln was an
early music
Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750) or Ancient music (before 500 AD). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad Dates of classical ...
group that was founded in 1973 by
Reinhard Goebel and fellow students from the Conservatory of Music in
Cologne
Cologne ( ; ; ) is the largest city of the States of Germany, German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the List of cities in Germany by population, fourth-most populous city of Germany with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants in the city pr ...
. Musica Antiqua Köln devoted itself largely to the performance of the music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The group recorded extensively for
Archiv Produktion and received numerous awards, including the Grand Prix International du Disque,
Gramophone Award,
Diapason d'Or, and
Grammy nominations.
The group gained popularity for its contribution to the soundtrack of the historical movie "
Le Roi Danse", about the life and music of court composer
Jean Baptiste Lully.
The ensemble disbanded after more than 30 years of touring, recording and performing in 2007.
Reinhard Goebel has since concentrated on conducting larger orchestras in both ancient and modern repertoire. Musica Antiqua Köln's last recording for Archiv, Flute Quartets by
Telemann (2005), was a collaboration with the Swiss recorder virtuoso
Maurice Steger.
A final recording,
Johann Friedrich Meister: ''Il Giardino del Piacere'', forgotten by its performers and recording company, was issued in 2011. Advance publicity materials stated that its contents were recorded originally for televised broadcast in 2004.
External links
Website on Goldberg Magazine
{{DEFAULTSORT:Musica Antiqua Koln
1973 establishments in West Germany
2007 disestablishments in Germany
Instrumental early music groups
Musical groups established in 1973
Musical groups disestablished in 2007
Orchestras in Cologne
Disbanded orchestras
Chamber orchestras