The European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO) is a training initiative which allows young performers of baroque music from the European Union to gain orchestral experience as part of their career development. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between music school study and a professional career.[1] Founded in 1985 and originally based in England, the orchestra moved to Belgium and then Italy after Brexit.[2]

History

Origins

EUBO was founded in 1985 as a major initiative of European Music Year to celebrate the 300th anniversaries of three great baroque musicians: Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti and George Frideric Handel. Since then, more than 600 full-time members of EUBO have given over 900 performances in 54 countries worldwide.

From 1985 to 2017, the European Union Baroque Orchestra was an educational charity registered in England & Wales with its administrative office in Wootton, West Oxfordshire.[3]

Impact of Brexit

In 2017 the orchestra announced its withdrawal from England and a temporary cessation of its operations as a result of Brexit, with the intention to relocate to the Augustinus Muziekcentrum (AMUZ) in Antwerp in 2018.[4] The COVID-19 pandemic forced a further break in its activities.

Relaunch

After a four-year break the orchestra was relaunched in 2022 with a funding commitment from Italian foundation ICONS and a base in Italy.[5][6]

Activities

The orchestra performs at many of Europe's leading music festivals and concert halls, including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, St John's Smith Square in London, the festivals Bachwoche Ansbach, and specialist early music festivals in Utrecht, York, Brugge, Valletta and London. Outside Europe, as well as tours to Japan, United States and South Africa, EUBO has played in less frequented parts of the world such as Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, Botswana, and Soweto. The success of the project, under the direction of the world's leading baroque musicians, can be measured in the number of ex-EUBO members who now play in Europe's leading baroque orchestras.

Structure and funding

The orchestra is completely renewed every year. Auditions take place in spring, with typically around 100 young baroque musicians applying for the 20–25 places in the ensemble. The successful applicants then come together for concert tours which take the orchestra throughout Europe. Members of EUBO gain performing experience, working together under the leadership of Music Director Lars Ulrik Mortensen and some of the world's finest baroque musicians. Ton Koopman, Margaret Faultless,[7] Roy Goodman, Enrico Onofri, Rachel Podger, Paul Agnew, Gottfried von der Goltz, Alfredo Bernardini, Sergio Azzolini and Amandine Beyer are amongst the artists who regularly work with EUBO.

EUBO is partnered by nine European organisations within a co-operation project "EUBO Mobile Baroque Academy" with co-funding from the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. The project addresses the unequal provision across the EU of baroque music education and performance in new and creative ways. EUBO has been honoured with the permanent status of Cultural Ambassador for the European Union.

Since 2008, EUBO has been Orchestra-in-Residence in Echternach, Luxembourg, working together with the City of Echternach, Festival International Echternach and the cultural centre Trifolion. EUBO's residency in Echterach and the Echter’Barock series of concerts are funded by grants from the City of Echternach and the Ministry of Culture in Luxembourg.

Discography

  • 1990 – Handel – Tamerlano. Roy Goodman, director[8]
  • 1991 – William Corbett – Bizzarie Universali. Roy Goodman, director; Andrew Manze, violin [9]
  • 1991 – Pieter Hellendaal – 6 Concerti Grossi. Roy Goodman, director; Andrew Manze, violin[10]
  • 1992 – Birds, Beasts and Battles. Monica Huggett, conductor/violin[11]
  • 1996 – J. S. Bach Markus Passion. Roy Goodman, director; Ring Ensemble of Finland (Musica Oscura)
  • 2002 – Handel – Apollo e Dafne, The Alchemist (Naxos Records CD)
  • 2002 – Handel, Rameau, Rebel. Roy Goodman, director[12]
  • 2003 – The Spirit of History (The Gift of Music CD)
  • 2004 – Music for a Great House (The Gift of Music CD)
  • 2005 – Rameau: Ballet Suites (Naxos CD)
  • 2006 – Bach: Matthäus-Passion, Johannes-Passion, Markus Passion, Lukas Passion (Brilliant Classics CD)
  • 2007 – George Frideric Handel, Johann Sterkel, John Stanley – Suites & Solos (The Gift of Music CD)
  • 2008 – Jean-Philippe Rameau, Johann Joseph Fux, Johann Sebastian Bach – Baroque Suites. Lars Ulrik Mortensen, director (The Gift of Music CD)
  • 2013 – George Frideric Handel – Pure Handel. Lars Ulrik Mortensen, director; Maria Keohane, soprano (ERP 6212)
  • 2013 – Handel, Bach, Ferrandini, Torelli – Joy & Sorrow unmasked DVD. Lars Ulrik Mortensen, director (ERP 6412)
  • 2013 – G. F. Handel – Peace & Celebration. Lars Ulrik Mortensen, director; The Choir of Clare College Cambridge (OBSIDIAN 711)
  • 2014 – A. Vivaldi – The Four Seasons & String Concerti. Lars Ulrik Mortensen, director; Huw Daniel, violin; Bojan Cicic, violin; Johannes Pramsohler, violin; Zefira Valova, violin; Antonio De Sarlo, speaker (OBSIDIAN 713)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Corelli's legacy in ideal ambience". Times of Malta. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "Top orchestra quits Britain over Brexit migration clampdown". the Guardian. 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  3. ↑ "European Union Baroque Orchestra, registered charity no. 800906". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  4. ↑ "European orchestra to leave UK due to Brexit". BBC News. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "European Union Baroque Orchestra returns". Classical Music. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "Eubo Reborns In Italy Thanks To Icons". Icons. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Concert: Music for Awhile". St Thomas's, Salisbury. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  8. ↑ Radio France CD K003
  9. ↑ Channel Classics CD CCS 1391
  10. ↑ Channel Classics CD CCS 3492
  11. ↑ Channel Classics CD CCS 4392
  12. ↑ Classica No.43, June 2002 CLACD043
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