The beginning
In Spring 1977 a note inquiring interest in playing Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music appeared on the noticeboards at Sibelius-Akademy and the Helsinki Conservatory of Music. A group of enthusiastic students from the Conservatory signed up. It was soon clear that an association would be useful to deal with performance fees, apply scholarships, pay traveling expenses etc. The Helsinki Early Music Society was founded on the first of May 1977 and the first meeting was on May 15, 1977.
The ensembles
In the beginning there were three ensembles: a madrigal choir, a Baroque ensemble and a Renaissance band. The madrigal choir waned soon due to lack of a leader. The Baroque ensemble used the Wittmeyer-”harpsichord ” of the Herttoniemi parish. When the harpsichord player quitted the whole band gave over.
The Renaissance band has been going on since the beginning. During the years the name of the band has varied as well as the players and the instrument combinations. "Renaissance" has covered the time periods from Medieval to early Baroque.
Lately, the Renaissance band has played in two compositions: Alta band Inferno and bassa band Cappella Tibia. The Renaissance band has performed together with a Renaissance dance group "Hovinarrit", a "subgroup" in the Helsinki Early Music Society.
In 2020, the Baroque orchestra ”Amore Barocco” was fused to the Helsinki Early Music Society. So Baroque is back again.
Education
In the end of 1970 training of early music was rare. We soon noticed that more was needed (especially after the critical analysis of our own playing skills) and started to organize early music courses:
1978 Renaissance dancing course, tutor Christina Långström
1979 a weekend course at Finns folk school, teacher Rabbe Forsman (recorder)
1980 two weekend courses at Kuntokallio, Sipoo, teachers Rabbe Forsman, Kati Hämäläinen (harpsichord) ja Christina Långström
1981 the first whole week course, teachers Leena Siniranta (recorder), Leif Karlson (lute), Timo Juntura (viola da gamba) and Per Åberg Ruotsista (Medieval music, the first foreign teacher)
1984 change of course site to Päivölä, Valkeakoski, there from 1985 to 1986, among the teachers James Tyler (guitar) from England
1988 a visit to Kaustinen, Baroque oboe and Renaissance reed instruments were added to the curriculum , teacher Randall Cook from Basel
1989 -2018 Lärkkulla Karjaa
2019 ja 2021 Itä-Hämeen opisto, Hartola
During the years the number of participants has increaded from about 20 to 45-50 and the number of teachers from 4 to 10-11.
In the early years there has been a weekend courses during winter but they were financially difficult. After 1983 there has been only a few winter courses.
Performances
There has been concert activities since 1986. In the beginning there were mini concert series. The early music weekends at Annantalo, Helsinki, consisted of three concerts. The performers included members of the Early Music Society, student groups and professionals.Later, the concerts moved to Stoa in Itäkeskus, Helsinki. During the 1990 regression the financial support of Helsinkin diminished and the concert series ceased. At the same time, the offering of professional early music concerts started to emerge. The last concert series was in 1997 together with Sonores, celebrating Sonores 30 years and CMAH 20 years anniversaries.
The Early Music Society ensembles have continued performance activities. There are about 10 performances per year, both public and private. Regular concerts are held each year at Paavali church, one at Epiphany and the other in Spring. Other regular events are Tammela Hakkapeliittatapahtuma and Helsinki Night of the Arts. The Baroque orchestra Amore Barocco performs a couple of times per year in the Oulunkylä church.
Music libray
Helsinki Early Music Society has founded a music sheet library, available for members. It consists of mainly Renaissance music. about 450 notebooks, >2000 pieces.
Other actitivies
In the end of 1980 the Society published a member magazine. It was delivered 1-2 times per year. The editor in chief was Marianne Javanainen. When she quitted the magazine deceased as well.
The Society has participated in several projects and seminars. Exampes are the early music development project "Music museum' by Sibelius-Akademy in the beginning of 1980 and the Finnist-Swedist seminar of Renaissance music in Hanasaari 1984. There have been scientists, musicians, students and amateurs as participants..