Solomon's Knot (ensemble)

For the decorative motif, see Solomon's knot. For other uses, see Solomon's Seal.
Solomon's Knot
Background information
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresClassical music, Early music, Baroque music
Years active2008–present
LabelsSony Classical Records, Prospero Classical Records
Websitesolomonsknot.co.uk

Solomon's Knot is a baroque and early music vocal & instrumental ensemble, based in the United Kingdom.[1][2]

Biography

Described as "one of the UK's most innovative and imaginative ensembles",[3] they work without a conductor and sing from memory.[4]

The group works in the round, as a collective, rather than the traditional top-down structure. Inspiration for projects may come from any member of the group, and artistic leadership in-concert isn't fixed either.[5]

An example of the scale of projects and the impact on the audience of performing from memory was their JS Bach Mass in B Minor project, performed at Shoreditch Town Hall in 2016 and St John's, Smith Square in 2017,[6] making the work "feel like intimate, spontaneous chamber music."[7]

In 2023 they were appointed Baroque Ensemble in Residence at Wigmore Hall in London, which they marked by starting their Bach 300 project in December 2023, celebrating 300 years since the composition of JS Bach's most notable vocal works.[8][9][10] The programme was live-steamed and later broadcast by BBC Radio 3.[11][12][13]

Working with John La Bouchardiere, they also toured an acclaimed dramatisation of St Matthew Passion in notable venues across the UK and Europe, including in Leipzig, Weimar, Snape Maltings and Wigmore Hall. Approaching this work in a new way "allowed the dramatic human element to shine out, in a way that paradoxically illuminated the divine mystery at the heart."[14]

Solomon's Knot is a registered charity under English law.[15]

Discography

In 2015 the Collective performed L'Ospedale - a Baroque opera by an anonymous composer - at Wilton's Music Hall, which was recorded for DVD. The production was acclaimed and represent's the group's aim to present unknown work in new ways.[16]

In 2019, Solomon's Knot released Magnificat: Christmas in Leipzig, their first commercial CD recording, featuring music by Johann Kuhnau, Johann Sebastian Bach & Johann Schelle on the Sony Classical label, hailed as "a joyful disc and an impressive debut".[17]

In 2023, their Bach Motets album was released on the Prospero Classical label.[18] Featuring the complete motets by Johann Sebastian Bach, set in the context of music which inspired him by his father's cousin, Johann Christoph Bach. The group recorded the release in the Bach Church, Arnstadt, further linking these two composers and bringing an acoustic authenticity to the performance.[19] The double-disc album was nominated for a prestigious German Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik[20] and has been hailed a "major achievement"[21] in international CD reviews.[22][23]

References

  1. ^ "Short History". Bach Cantatas.
  2. ^ "Solomon's Knot Profile". Continuo Foundation.
  3. ^ Pritchard, Stephen (19 November 2022). "This Week in Classical". The Observer.
  4. ^ "Solomon's Knot at Wigmore Hall review: a first-rate performance from the Baroque collective? Knot half". The Evening Standard. 8 December 2023.
  5. ^ "The Collective Concept". Solomon's Knot. 8 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Solomon's Knot review: Baroque collective get into the Bach dance rhythm". The Evening Standard. 19 December 2017.
  7. ^ Pritchard, Stephen (18 December 2016). "Solomon's Knot – five-star Bach". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "Wigmore Hall Announces 2023-24 Season". Classical Music.
  9. ^ "Solomon's Knot Opens Wigmore Hall's Christmas". Broadway World.
  10. ^ "Solomon's Knot at Wigmore Hall review: a first-rate performance from the Baroque collective? Knot half". The Evening Standard. 8 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Bach's Magnificat". BBC Radio 3.
  12. ^ "InTune - April 2023". BBC Radio 3.
  13. ^ "InTune - December 2021". BBC Radio 3.
  14. ^ Hewett, Ivan (9 April 2023). "St Matthew Passion Review". The Telegraph.
  15. ^ "Solomon's Knot (ensemble), registered charity no. 1129898". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  16. ^ "L'Ospedale, Wilton's Music Hall". Arts Desk. 13 November 2015.
  17. ^ "Magnificat CD Review". Gramophone.
  18. ^ "Bach Motets CD". Prospero Classical. 15 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Location specific recording". Solomon's Knot. 26 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Longlist April 2023". Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.
  21. ^ "Bach Motets CD Review". Arts Desk. 16 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Bach Motets CD Review". Klassik Heute.
  23. ^ "Bach Motets CD Review". Gramophone.