B-Five Recorder Consort
Who we are
Five outstanding recorder players, stemming from different European countries, founded the B-Five Recorder Consort in 2003 in Barcelona. As an ensemble, their individual styles blend into a lively, flexible sound. Their technically sophisticated and highly sensitive playing, as well as their elegant renditions and coherent programs, meet the highest artistic standards.
What we sound like
In their concerts, B-Five presents a whole arsenal of recorders, from the finger-sized sopranino recorder to the head-high great bass recorder. Creating a unity of sounds – a “consort” – between these different instruments is what the five musicians aim for. The result is a warm and homogeneous sound, allowing space for many different colors and surprising effects.
B-Five Recorder Consort: Markus Bartholomé, Silja-Maaria Schütt, Katelijne Lanneau, Mina Voet, Thomas List
Today B-Five is rightly regarded as one of the finest recorder ensembles in the world. Their highly sophisticated interplay, polished sound and rousing temperament set new standards.
(Klassik‑Heute)
Repertory
The repertoire of the late renaissance is central to the programs of the B-Five Recorder Consort. In order to approximate the tonal capabilities of the original compositions, the ensemble plays on copies of 16th century instruments. In doing so, the ensemble does not only rely on intensive study of historic performance practice and the cultural and historic background, but also combines this with a lively and spontaneous style when making music.
B-Five plays with verve, imagination and a wealth of seemingly improvised ornamentation... I was amazed and delighted again and again with the wonderful wealth of textures and moods B-Five's players made with their instruments.
(International Record Review)
New music for Consort
In addition, the ensemble is intent on performing and building up a contemporary repertoire for recorder quintet, attested by their work with a number of renowned composers. In its projects with new compositions, B-Five is seeking out links between early music, historic instruments and contemporary sounds.
Concerts
In 2004, B-Five became laureate of the renowned International Young Artist Presentation (IYAP) in Antwerp. In 2005, an invitation to the Festival de Musica Antiga in Barcelona followed. Today, B-Five gives concerts on numerous stages all over Europe. In 2008, for instance, they were guests at the festival for old music Fränkischer Sommer – Musica Franconia in Nuremberg, at the MA-festival in Brugge or at the Klara-Festival in Brussels.
Recordings
A debut CD entitled “The Fruit of Love” was released in 2006 and was received with much praise in the specialized press. B-Five worked for productions of Radio Catalunya, Bayerischer Rundfunk and Klara (Belgium). In 2011, the CD “Geld Macht Music” was released by Coviello Classics, 2015 "In Search of Dowland" and 2017 "William Byrd - Consort songs and music".