CHICAGO, February 14, 2007 - The Newberry Library, Chicago's world-renowned independent research library, today announced the appointment of David Douglass as the new Artist-in-Residence and Director of the Newberry Consort, effective July 2007. Douglass, a violinist and co-founder of the Newberry Consort, brings more than three decades of experience as an early music performer, director, and producer to the role.
"I'm delighted to have an opportunity to continue the wonderful tradition of early music concerts at the Newberry Library and am devoted to programming engaging, amusing, and exciting performances in the seasons ahead," Douglass said. "It is a great honor to be asked to take over for a musician of the caliber of Mary Springfels."
Springfels, whose retirement was announced in September 2006, came to the Newberry Library 25 years ago to start an early music concert series to showcase the Library's magnificent music collections. The Newberry Consort grew out of the series, and over the years, the ensemble has had many important milestones including an international tour and ten recordings.
"David is the natural choice to lead the Newberry Consort," Springfels said. "We've worked together for over two decades. It's a big job, but he knows the ropes and he knows the business. I'm confident his virtuosity and enthusiasm will keep bringing new life to the Library's wonderful music collections."
The Consort draws on the Newberry Library's extensive holdings in Medieval and early Renaissance music, using original sources and scholarly editions as the bases for its performances.
"We are pleased that David has chosen to take this leadership role with the Newberry Consort," said James Grossman, vice president for research and education at the Newberry Library. "With his years of experience and commitment to the Newberry, I am confident that the Consort will continue its great tradition as the premier early music group in the United States."
Join the Newberry Consort for the remaining performance of the 2006-07 20th Anniversary Season, Imperial Entertainments: Music for the Holy Roman Emperors, May 3-6. Stay tuned for announcements about the 2007-08 concert season including a lavish Renaissance Christmas concert with choir and brass.
Background on David Douglass
A founding member of the Newberry Consort, David Douglass has been a leading figure in the world of early music performance for over 25 years. The New York Times has praised his playing for its eloquence and "expressive virtuosity," and through his groundbreaking work in the field of the early violin he has developed a historical technique, which produces "a distinctively Renaissance sound and style for the violin" (Fanfare). This exploration culminated in the founding of his ensemble, The King's Noyse, a Renaissance violin band. As director of The King's Noyse, and through his recreation of the improvisational repertory of the early violin band, he has received praise for his "enterprise and imagination" (Stereophile).
Noted for his versatility, Douglass also frequently performs as a guest artist with many leading ensembles, including The Harp Consort, Chatham Baroque, La Cetra, and the Folger Consort, playing the viola da gamba and medieval stringed instruments in addition to the violin. For several years he was co-director of The Lyra Concert baroque orchestra, and served two seasons as concertmaster of the Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra.
Douglass is much in demand as a writer and lecturer on early violin history, technique, and repertoire. He was honored to give the keynote speech for the Early Music America convention on "The Early Music Entrepreneur" in June of 2006. Douglass has recorded extensively for harmonia mundi usa, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Virgin, Erato, BMG, Berlin Classics, and Auvidis/Astrée labels. His recordings have won numerous awards and Grammy nominations. In 2006, a recording produced by Douglass for harmonia mundi usa, "The Lute Music of Daniel Barchelor" performed by Paul O'Dette, has been nominated for a Grammy in the best instrumental recording category. In 2005 Douglass formed Noyse Productions, an online record company selling compact discs, including "Puzzles and Perfect Beauty" by the Newberry Consort, as well as editions of music. It can be found at www.noyseproductions.com.
ABOUT THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
The Newberry Library, a pre-eminent humanities research and reference institution, is home to a world-class collection of books, manuscripts, maps, music, and other printed materials. The Library's evolving collections focus on Western Europe and the Americas and include more than 1.5 million books, 5 million manuscript pages, and 300,000 historic maps. The Newberry offers exhibits based on its collections, musical and theatrical performances, lectures and discussions with leading humanists, seminars, and teacher programs. Visit the Newberry online at www.newberry.org.