The Attaignant Consort. Left to right; Joao Santos, Giuditta Isoldi, Amanda Markwick, and Kate Clark. (Photo by Ola Renska)
THE ATTAIGNANT CONSORT was co-founded in 1998 by Kate Clark, Frédérique Chauvet, Marion Moonen, and Marcello Gatti. All former students of the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, they were drawn together by a fascination with the renaissance flute, and collaborated over many years with the Italian flute-maker Giovanni Tardino, exploring the sound world of this, until recently, little-known instrument. The group has continued to evolve by drawing on new generations of players dedicated to this remarkable instrument, including Mathieu Langlois, Amanda Markwick, Joao Santos and Giuditta Isoldi. The work of the ensemble has been greatly enriched by collaborations with lutenists Nigel North, Joachim Held and Christoph Sommer, and harpists Maria Galassi and Marta Graziolino.
The Attaignant consort produced a 3-CD set documenting the history and repertoire of the renaissance transverse flute, winning critical acclaim and being awarded a Diapason d’Or in 2013. Each of the musicians in the Attaignant Consort has a multi-facetted musical career independent of the Consort: above all performers, their combined portfolios comprise outstanding achievements in the fields of teaching, ensemble direction, editing, writing and musicology. They come together for performances as the Attaignant Consort, sharing a deep love of the poetry and music of the Renaissance and early Baroque. The Attaignant Consort works from facsimile editions of original partbooks rather than scores, and performs as often as possible from memory, mindful of the aural tradition of learning in which many sixteenth-century instrumentalists were educated.
KATE CLARK
Kate Clark
Born in Sydney, Kate Clark graduated from the University of Sydney on modern and baroque flutes in 1985. In the same year she was a finalist in the Australian National Flute Competition and guest principal flute with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
From 1986-1990 she studied baroque and classical flutes with Barthold Kuijken at the Royal Conservatorium in The Hague gaining her Soloist’s Diploma “cum laude,” and from 1990-1992 renaissance flute at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland under the guidance of Anne Smith. In 1993 she won the first prize in the Brugge International Early Music Competition.
Since 1988 Kate Clark has performed and recorded throughout Europe as a soloist and with chamber ensembles (Musica Ad Rhenum, Amphion Ensemble, Cantus Cölln), and orchestras (Freiburger Barockorchester, Concerto Köln, Deutsche Händel-Solisten, Rheinische Kantorei, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Le Concert Spirituel). As principal flautist with Les Musiciens du Louvre from 1994-2006 she toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States. She makes regular appearances in Australia as soloist with The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, and as artist-in-residence at the University of Western Australia.
Kate Clark gives lectures and courses in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Israel, and Australia, and she teaches historical flutes at the Royal Conservatorium in The Hague. She lives in Amsterdam with her partner and their two sons.
News
“THE RENAISSANCE FLUTE: A CONTEMPORARY GUIDE”
BY KATE CLARK AND AMANDA MARKWICK
An exciting announcement: “The Renaissance Flute: A Contemporary Guide,” by Kate Clark and Amanda Markwick, will be released by Oxford University Press on August 28, 2020. You can now pre-order on Amazon or the OUP homepage!
Authors Amanda Markwick and Kate Clark
The short description of our book, from OUP: “The renaissance flute, with its rich history, stunning repertoire, and mellow tone, has attracted a significant following among flutists, whether they specialize in modern flute or historical instruments. Yet, actually delving into the study of renaissance flute has proven a challenge – there exists a confusing array of editions of renaissance music, specialized (and often expensive) facsimiles of manuscripts and early prints, and in unfamiliar notations, while at the same time there is a dearth of resources for beginners. Confronting this challenge with the first ever practitioners’ handbook for renaissance flute, Kate Clark and Amanda Markwick offer flutists of all levels a clear and accessible introduction to the world and repertoire of the instrument. In The Renaissance Flute: A Contemporary Guide, Clark and Markwick cover all aspects, from practicalities such as buying and maintaining the instrument, to actual music for solo and group performance, to theory designed to improve the understanding and playing of renaissance polyphony. This approach enables students to immerse themselves at their own pace and build on their skills with each chapter. With nearly 40 full pages of exercises, and a companion website with recorded examples and filmed instructions from the authors, The Renaissance Flute provides professionals and newcomers alike a new entryway into the world and practice of renaissance music.”
FESTIVAL OUDE MUZIEK 2020
Presenting music from Dufay to Sweelinck, the Attaignant Consort is proud to be back on stage at the Festival Oude Muziek 2020! Catch Kate Clark, João Carlos Santos, and Pablo Sosa del Rosario at one of the four concerts listed on our Concerts page.
BERLIN! SPAM – SPANDAU MACHT ALTE MUSIK
Musik aus dem goldenen Zeitalter des Renaissance-Traversflöten-Consorts, aus Frankreich, Italien und dem Habsburger-Reich
Kate Clark, Cantus | Amanda Markwick, Altus | João Ferreira de Miranda, Tenor | Giuditta Isoldi, Bassus | Christoph Sommer, Laute
Ganz im Fokus steht das goldene Zeitalter des Renaissance-Traversflöten-Consorts, das England von Heinrich VIII., das Habsburger-Reich Kaiser Maximilians, der französische Königshof von Franz I. und das Florenz der Medici. Lieder von Liebe und Schmerz, Instrumental-Fantasien, Vogelgesang und des Jägers Horn all das wird übertragen in die bezaubernde und empfindsame Sprache der Renaissance-Querflöte. Das Programm präsentiert Musik aus Manuskripten und frühesten Musikdrucken für Consort aus London, Nürnberg, Madrid, Paris, Florenz und Rom.
Als musicus gespecialiseerd in de historische fluit speel je op verschillende fluitinstrumenten. Maar één is er koning, volgens Kate Clark van het Attaignant Consort. En die krijgt ruim baan op 7 december in het Orgelpark. MEER
Workshop for Renaissance Flute consort with Amanda Markwick – Berlin, Germany
20/10/18 – 21/10/18
Amanda Markwick
Amanda Markwick will lead a workshop for renaissance flute consort, studying Pierre Attaingnant’s “Vingt et sept chansons musicales a quatre parties” (1533). Organized by Michael Dollendorf (renaissanceworkshops.org). Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00. More
Attaignant Consort
Orgelpark – Amsterdam 07/12/18
The Attaignant Consort Amsterdam Orgelpark Netherlands
With Christoph Sommer, lute, and Johannes Weiss, organ
Time: 13:13
Address: Gerard Brandtstraat 26, Amsterdam
https://www.orgelpark.nl/nl/Agenda
Kate Clark Renaissance Flute Masterclass and Concert
Kate Clark
On November 24, 2018, Kate Clark will give a renaissance flute masterclass (11:00-13:00) and a concert (17:00) as part of the festival “Antwerp Barok 2018.” More information here, and sign-up for the masterclass here!
Time: 13:00.Address:Gerard Brandtstraat 26.Ridono i prati, e ‘l ciel si rasserena” Nature as Mirror, Metaphor, Mimic, and Meditation — with Nigel North, lute, and Johannes Weiss, organ
Time: 13:45.Presentation “Teaching Renaissance Music on Modern Flutes” at STIMU 2022 “New Perspectives on Historical Flutes” (Aug 31-Sept 2). As part of the Utrecht Oude Muziek Festival 2022.
English Music from the courts of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I / Cornish – Tye – Holborne – Brade – Byrd – Tallis – Dowland / Amanda Markwick – Renaissance flute / Gail Ann Schroeder – Viols / Lee Santana – Lute, Cittern, Bandora, Renaissance guitar / Michael Dollendorf – Recorder, Cornetto, Sackbut / Sven Schwannberger – VoiceMore information
Time: 11:00.Book presentation: „The Renaissance Flute“ (Oxford University Press), and concert with Kate Clark (Amsterdam), Renaissance-Traverso / Amanda Markwick (Berlin), Renaissance-Traverso / Marcello Gatti (Salzburg), Renaissance-Traverso / Johannes Weiss (Wien), Orgel & VirginalMore information
Time: 12:30.Address:Vredenburgkade 11.Venue phone: +31(0)30 23 29 000.Kate Clark, João Carlos Santos, and Pablo Sosa del Rosario // music from Dufay to Sweelinck
Time: 10:00.Address:Vredenburgkade 11.Venue phone: +31(0)30 23 29 000.Kate Clark, João Carlos Santos, and Pablo Sosa del Rosario // music from Dufay to Sweelinck
Time: 17:00.“Forse che si, forse che no – Eine Rivalen-Geschichte” with Prisca Stalmarski, Viola da braccio & Artistic Direction / Sarah Fuhs, Soprano /
Nicolás Lartaun, Baritone / Amanda Markwick, Renaissance Tranverse Flute / Elisabeth Kaufhold, Dulcian, RecordersMore information
Time: 17:00.Address:Vleeshouwersstraat 38.Kate Clark and Christoph Sommer will play a concert for renaissance flute and lute, with music by Palestrina, Dowland, Josquin, Sweelinck, and others. As part of the “Retteket-Muziekkabinet,” a festival around music from the time of Rubens.More information
Time: 11:00.Admission: 30.Address:Vleeshouwersstraat 38.Kate Clark will lead a masterclass for renaissance flute players. The 30-Euro sign up fee includes entrance into the weekend festival “Retteketet Muziekkabinet.”More information
Address:Oldenburger Straße 46.Amanda Markwick will lead a workshop for renaissance flute consort, studying Pierre Attaingnant’s Vingt et sept chansons musicales a quatre parties (1533). Organized by Michael Dollendorf: www.renaissanceworkshop.org. Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.More information
07/10/18
Giuditta Isoldi
Amsterdam
Buurtsalon Jeltje
Germany
Time: 15:00.Address:Eerste Helmersstraat 106-N.Canto de’ Bardi: Victoria Cassano soprano / Giuditta Isoldi renaissance flute / Earl Christy lute
Alle corti d’Europa: Muziek van o.a. Tromboncino, Cara, Dowland, Verdelot, Arcadelt
Entrance € 10,- (incl. programma & koffie/thee) exclusively upon reservation – e-mail: [email protected] tel 020 6124513
