Retrospect Ensemble

Retrospect Ensemble is London's exciting new period instrument orchestra and choir. Founded in 2009 the group has already undertaken major concert tours to the Far East, Middle East and Europe and performed at a number of prestigious UK festivals. Directed by Matthew Halls, one of the UK's most dynamic young conductors and acclaimed keyboard player, Retrospect Ensemble is taking its musicians and audiences on a new journey - exploring the repertoire of four centuries, embracing the practices, styles and aesthetics of former ages with renewed vigour and a fresh approach.

Retrospect Ensemble is a flexible group which performs as an orchestra, a choir, a chamber ensemble (including the Retrospect Trio, whose first recording was issued by Linn Records in May 2009) and other combinations - more about Retrospect Ensemble.

News
31st October - New concert season brochure

Take a look at our 2009 - 2010 concert season brochure with details of all upcoming concert programmes and booking information.

10th June - Purcell CD enters Classical Charts.

Featured on Radio 3's CD Review as 'one of the best new contributions to Purcell's discography in this 350th anniversary year', we are proud to announce that Retrospect's debut CD has this week entered the charts at Number 16!
More information can be found here.

8th June - CD of the Week!

Retrospect's debut CD of Purcell's Sonatas was selected as Classical CD of the week and awarded five stars in last week's Sunday Times. 

'The playing is immaculate — expressive and alert to all the nuance and variety of this superb music. An absolute winner for the Purcell year.'

read the complete five-star review.

9th May - Parnasso in Festa wins International Recording Prize

We are very proud to announce that Parnasso in Festa has just been awarded the 2009 Stanley Sadie Handel Recording Prize. An official presentation is to be made by the chairman of the jury at our opening concert of the next London season in Wigmore Hall - more about this recording

Read the full reviews on our press page

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 20th October 2010, 19:30

Opening Concert of London Series 10-11

Wigmore Hall

Programme information to follow

more diary dates

orchestral image orchestral image orchestral image orchestral image
quotes

a spellbinding concert... [Matthew Halls] inspired lithe performances from the vocal and instrumental ensembles, who constantly rearranged themselves with well-rehearsed assurance. The stones of Venice may crumble and sink but its music, with performances of this joy and sophistication, is imperishable.

quotes

The Evening Standard -
'Lo Sposalizio' at Cadogan Hall

Listen to us

S'Accenda Pur Di Festa Il Cor
Parnasso In Festa, GF Handel, HWV 73

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Sonata V in G minor - Canzona
Purcell: 10 sonatas in 4 parts
Retrospect Trio

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more about our recordings