Ars Musicae

Historical Institutions and Ensembles
Ars Musicae
  • Year of establishment: 1935
    Year of dissolution: 1979
    History:
    Early music ensemble founded in 1935. Its origins go back to the Orquestra d'Estudis Simfònics created by Josep Maria Lamaña in 1924 and conducted by Eduard Toldrà. Lamaña's contact with Higini Anglès and Josep Ricart i Matas was essential for him to promote Ars Musicae, together with Santiago Alcover. Until 1961, Lamaña was its director, a position that was later taken by Enric Gispert (1957-1972) and Roman Escalas (1972-1979). From 1965 onwards, the institution has been associated with Cor Alleluia, also conducted by Gispert. Ars Musicae has been considered one of the world's pioneering ensembles in the use of period instruments. He recorded highly-regarded albums such as Del romànic al Renaixement. The ensemble performed and recorded with the Escolania and Capella de Música de Montserrat under the direction of Ireneu Segarra. Furthermore, it provided prominent figures such as Victòria dels Àngels, Montserrat Figueras and Jordi Savall a place to develop their careers. The ensemble was dissolved in 1979 and the archives and instruments were deposited at the Museu de la Música de Barcelona.