Ricercar Consort

Since the founding of the Ricercar Consort, its artistic director, Philippe Pierlot, has focused on the viol consort. Extensive work on the German Baroque sacred repertoire—which highlighted the music of first-rate composers such as Matthias Weckmann and Nikolaus Bruhns—provided an ideal setting for exploring the relationship between the voice and the viola da gamba, an instrument considered at the time to be the closest to the human voice. English music also holds a prominent place in their repertoire, with works by Byrd, Ferrabosco, and Purcell; these have led to collaborations with singers such as James Bowman, Carlos Mena, and Maria Keohane on the sublime genre of "consort songs."

The Ricercar Consort has also performed—and frequently commissioned—works for viol consort, such as George Benjamin’s *Upon Silence* (performed in the composer's presence) and, more recently, premieres of Benoît Mernier’s *Upon Tears* (inspired by John Dowland’s *Lachrymae*) and Bernard Foccroulle’s *Exils*. Together with Lucile Boulanger and Myriam Rignol, the ensemble has recorded works by Sainte-Colombe for the Mirare label, as well as the more recent album *Distracted Tymes*, dedicated to English music from the Civil War era. They also participated in the complete recording of Louis Couperin’s works with Jean Rondeau for Warner.

Philippe Pierlot and the Ricercar Consort periodically organize the International Monteverdi Seminar in the city of Spa. This event brings together renowned musicians (such as Jordi Savall and Paolo Pandolfo), musicologists, instrument makers, and advanced students to discuss and debate various topics concerning the viola da gamba.

Ricercar Consort. Philippe Pierlot
Anna Lachegyi, viola de gamba
Oriane Weyl, viola de gamba
Clémence Schiltz, viola de gamba
Mathias Ferré, viola de gamba
Philippe Pierlot, viola de gamba