New York Pro Musica
| Company type | Vocal and instrumental ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music performance |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founder | Noah Greenberg, Bernard Krainis |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Noah Greenberg, Bernard Krainis, Russell Oberlin, Martha Blackman, Frederick Renz, John Reeves White, George Houle |
| Products | Vocal and instrumental recordings of Medieval and Renaissance early music |
New York Pro Musica was a vocal and instrumental ensemble located in New York City, dedicated to performing Medieval and Renaissance early music. Established in 1952 under the original name Pro Musica Antiqua by choral conductor Noah Greenberg alongside recorder specialist Bernard Krainis, the group featured prominent artists including Russell Oberlin—recognized as the first American countertenor—and Martha Blackman, noted as the first American gambist. The ensemble also included Frederick Renz, who subsequently founded the Early Music Foundation.
The group gained particular acclaim for its 1950s revival of the medieval Play of Daniel, a work that continues to be widely performed by early music ensembles. Their inaugural performance took place at the New School for Social Research in New York City on April 26, 1953. In 1960, they appeared in Boston’s esteemed Peabody Mason Concert series. Following Greenberg’s passing in 1966, leadership transitioned to musicologist John Reeves White, and later to George Houle, who sought to adapt the ensemble’s style to reflect contemporary European early music developments despite limited interest within the United States. Houle eventually accepted a faculty position in musicology at Stanford University.
In September 1968, the ensemble experienced a major setback when a van containing ten rare instruments was burglarized; due to their unique nature and low commercial demand, recovering these items proved difficult.
While the group produced numerous vocal and instrumental recordings, only a select few were released on compact disc, most notably a two-disc compilation featuring Plays of Daniel and Herod. Their final concert was held on May 16, 1974, at the Pierpont Morgan Library. After disbanding, their collection of instruments was acquired by New York University, where it became known as the Noah Greenberg Collection of Musical Instruments in tribute.
Select discography
- New York Pro Musica: An Anthology of Their Greatest Works, conducted by Noah Greenberg. Seven-record set. Everest Records (1966, Everest 3145/7)