ENSEMBLE PHOENIX MUNICH

Ensemble Phoenix Munich (EPM) was established in 2003 by Joel Frederiksen, an early music specialist, after moving to Munich, Germany. Since 2007, the group has presented a concert series in Munich at the Bavarian National Museum and performed at leading international festivals. EPM recorded four successful CDs with harmonia mundi France and now records for SONY/DHM.

EPMs programing reflects the wide-ranging experience and interests of its founder and director, Joel Frederiksen, presenting music from the European Renaissance and Baroque (c1500-1650) to Early America (c1640-1860). The ensemble has also commissioned new works from contemporary composers.

The focus of artistic director Joel Frederiksen is on innovative and original programming based on careful research. The ensemble regularly performs from original facsimiles, uses historical instruments and tunings appropriate to country and time period, and adheres as closely as possible to recent research regarding all aspects of interpretation. At the same time, the ultimate goal in performance is meaningful communication with the audience. Ensemble Phoenix Munich programs are engaging and seek, to use the Baroque expression, to reach and to move the "affections" of the listeners.

CD Releases

• A Day with Suzanne (SONY/DHM January 2023) - A Tribute to Leonard Cohen with French Renaissance Chanson

• Walther von der Vogelweide (SONY/DHM scheduled for May 2023) - Courtly Songs of the Middle Ages

• Un niño nos es naçido (SONY/DHM November 2018) - A Child for us is born - Christmas music from Spain and Latin America in the 16-17th centuries

• Tell me true love (SONY/DHM October 2016) - Music from the "English Orpheus", John Dowland

• Reflektionen (SONY/DHM April 2013) - Oswald von Wolkenstein newly interpreted

• Requiem for a Pink Moon (harmonia mundi France Mai 2012) - An Elizabethan Tribute to Nick Drake (1948-74)

• Rose of Sharon (harmonia mundi France Mai 2011) - 100 Years of American Music

• O felice morire (harmonia mundi France August 2008) - Florence 1600 - Music of Caccini, Kapsberger, Monteverdi for bass

• The Elfin Knight (harmonia mundi France 2007/2018) - Ballads and Dances of England and Scottland

• Orpheus, I am (EPM Productions 2003) - English, French and Italian music of the Renaissance and early Baroque

Awards

• ECHO Klassik 2013: For the CD Requiem for a Pink Moon,Category "Classics without limits". Echo Klassik Website

• L'ORPHÉE D'OR (Golden Orpheus): Joel Frederiksen receives the critic’s prize, 2011, Prix Martti Talvela

• German Record Critics Prize: For the CD O felice morire in 2008

• Classical Musician of the Year: From Munich's Evening News (Abendzeitung) Joel Frederiksen received this prestigious award in 2008.

• BEST OF 2007: Record of the Year List from CLASSICSTODAY.COM and AUDIOPHILE AUDITION for the CD The Elfin Knight

Selected list of Festivals and Venues