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Fifty years of the Academy of Ancient Music

As the Academy of Ancient Music celebrates its 50th birthday, Hannah French chats to music director Laurence Cummings and CEO John McMunn about the ensemble's remarkable history.

The Academy of Ancient Music celebrates its golden anniversary this year - 5 decades since harpsichordist Christopher Hogwood and record producer Peter Wadland cooked up the idea of forming a historically-informed orchestra one evening in London's Marquis of Granby pub. Since then, they have produced hundreds of recordings, launched the careers of many international soloists and brought fantastic period performances of Baroque and Classical music to the public's attention.

Today, Hannah French takes the opportunity to chat to current music director Laurence Cummings and CEO John McMunn about the group's first fifty years and the impact they have made.

Available now

34 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 Oct 2023 14:00

Music Played

  • Thomas Arne

    Overture No 3 in G major

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau Lyre.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Messiah (Symphony - excerpt)

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau Lyre.
  • George Frideric Handel

    But who may abide [Messiah]

    Singer: Emma Kirkby. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau Lyre.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    The Four Seasons (Spring - 1st mvt Allegro)

    Performer: Christopher Hirons. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Director: Christopher Hogwood.
    • Decca.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Symphony No.22 in C major, K.162 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau Lyre.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No.52 in C minor, Hob.I:52 (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau Lyre.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Lascia ch'io pianga [Rinaldo]

    Singer: Cecilia Bartoli. Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music. Director: Christopher Hogwood.
    • Decca.
  • John Tavener

    Eternity's Sunrise (excerpt)

    Singer: Patricia Rozario. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Paul Goodwin.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
  • Johann Stamitz

    Sinfonia a 4 in D major (3rd mvt - Presto)

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.
    • AAM RECORDS.
  • Jan Ladislav Dussek

    Messe solemnelle (Benedictus)

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.
    • AAM RECORDS.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Concerto for three pianos in F major, K.242 (vers. for 2 pianos) (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Robert Levin. Performer: Ya-Fei Chuang. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Director: Laurence Cummings.
    • AAM RECORDS.

Broadcast

  • Sun 15 Oct 2023 14:00

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