Retrospect Ensemble
| Company type | Charity |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 2009 |
| Defunct | December 2014 |
Key people | Matthew Halls (Artistic Director 2009–2013), Justin Doyle (Artistic Director 2013–2014) |
| Products | Period music performances and recordings |
Retrospect Ensemble was a UK-based period music orchestra, chamber ensemble, and choir that operated from May 2009 until December 2014.
History
In May 2009, the trustees of the musical charity originally named "The King's Consort," founded in 1992, adopted the new title "Retrospect Ensemble." Concurrently, the performing group Retrospect Ensemble was established to reflect the charity’s updated branding. The ensemble’s inaugural artistic director was Matthew Halls, a conductor and harpsichordist with prior affiliations including the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Les Arts Florissants, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Retrospect Ensemble's first public appearance took place on 1 May 2009 at the Norwich and Norfolk Festival, featuring Handel's Jeptha.
Justin Doyle succeeded as artistic director in 2013.
Performances and recordings
From 2009 through 2014, Retrospect Ensemble appeared at prominent venues such as the Edinburgh Festival and London's Wigmore Hall, while also touring internationally in Korea, Israel, and Portugal. The group performed in diverse configurations including full orchestra, choir, and chamber ensemble settings. Collaborations included soloists like Robin Blaze, James Gilchrist, Gillian Keith, and Carolyn Sampson. The Retrospect Trio specialized in trio sonatas from the 17th and 18th centuries, producing two recordings of Purcell’s compositions under Linn Records. Their debut album, Henry Purcell: 10 Sonatas in four parts, was released in May 2009.
Closure
The Trustees decided to dissolve Retrospect Ensemble in December 2014, citing financial unsustainability as the reason for discontinuing operations.