Among specialists Camerata is regarded as one of
world’s best A Cappella groups. They represent the best of
the Great Russian choir tradition. Their experiments with new forms
and sounds make them totally different from other groups. The group
comprises eight professional musicians, seven singers and a sound
engineer. All of them have graduated from music academies in Belarus
and Russia.
Their home base is in Minsk, the capital city of
Belarus. Camerata’s repertoire includes pieces belonging to
different genres, from classical and ethnic to jazz, often interwoven
into each other, giving birth to totally new and uncommon combinations.
The singers are sophisticated both in styles and voice timbres,
artistically adapting each off them to a particular work. So when
speaking about Camerata it is not enough to say that they have got
a soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Each of the above is quite unexpectedly
presented in their original compositions, combined with sound imitation,
making them absolutely unique.
It has brought Camerata admiration of audiences
all over the world and at festivals of all music traditions: academic,
folklore, spiritual, avant-garde, jazz, blues and rock. They repeatedly
manifested their talents during their concert tours in Switzerland,
Poland, Turkey, Austria, Holland, Norway, Germany and the United
States as well at major music forums such as Varna Summer, International
Gospel Music Festival, International Ankara Music Festival, Molde
International Jazz Festival and others. Their tours of the former
USSR cities (St. Petersburg, Riga, Moscow, Kalingrad) were just
as successful and impressive.
Listening to Camerata is a unique experience having quite a magic
effect. This could perhaps be accounted for by the careful attention
that is paid by the group to each individual voice, resulting in
impeccable part singing and intonation. In addition to that, their
compositions are very special, with a variety of plots where there
is always something ‘sacred profane’, heavenly and human.
(David Weiss)
Camerata
would like to perform in Canada and the USA and is looking for concert
possibilities. If you are interested, please contact John Bruins
(john@musicranch.ca) and we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you would like to hear
something from CAMERATA’S CD Angel please go to...
A – CAPPELLA.COM
http://www.a-cappella.com
“The four women and three men of ‘Camerata’
transferred us in a dream world of sounds which seldom can be heard” (Bayerische Rundschau,
Kulmbach, Germany)
“With captivating clear intonation, incredible
tonal range and virtuoso voice control, Camerata reached an almost
surrealistic and at the same time indescribable beautiful music” (Fränkischer Tag,
Bamberg, Germany)
“If divine moments exist then it is with the music
of Camerata” (Frankenpost, Hof, Germany)
“Their perfectly skilled voices conjure
up a jazzy big band as easily as a divine angelic choir” (Nordbayerischer Kurier,
Bayreuth, Germany)
“The performance of Camerata from Minsk
/ Belarus can be rated among to the best in this genre worldwide” (Prof. Mag. Manfred Arth,
Fürstenfeld, Austria)
‘Very few groups are able to define a
new sound; Camerata is one of those very few groups. Their arrangements
are more like vocal symphonies, with thematic development and constantly
evolving sound.’ (Don Gooding, Mainly
A Cappella USA)
Camerata was founded in 1986 as a chamber
choir consisting of 18 singers. The repertoire included Russian
classical music, orthodox music, renaissance music and avant-garde.
In 1988, for the first time, jazz compositions appeared in the repertoire
of Camerata’.
Since 1991 "Camerata Vocal Group"
has become the ensemble consisting of 7 singers and a sound engineer.
The first experimental work with sound effects and individual
microphones took place in 1989 on the International Jazz Festival
in Panievezus (Lithuania).
Since 1995 the ensemble completely changed
its style. The musicians decided to promote their own original
music, combining classical and Slavic styles larded with jazzy
close-harmony and rhythms. Although this music has become the
main ingredient in the art of the ensemble, jazz music still occupies
an important part of Camerata's repertoire. The repertoire can
be adapted with Russian orthodox liturgy for special occasions
(Easter, Christmas)
Olga
Vorobieva (soprano) was born in Minsk. Graduated from Minsk
Music Lyceum and State Belarusian Academy of Music (class of Piano)
Member of "Camerata" since 1986.
Tatjana
Drobisheva (soprano) was born in Voronezh (Russia). Graduated
from Gomel Music School (Belarus) and State Belarusian Academy of
Music (class of Chorus Conducting) Member of “Camerata"
since 1989.
Julia
Korotkevitch (alto) was born in Sevastopol (Crimea, Ukraine).
Graduated from Music School in Petropavlovsk (Russia) and studied
at the State Belarusian Acadamy of Music (chorus conducting). Member
of “Camerata” since 1993.
Galina
Gordynez (soprano) was born in Bobruisk (Belarus). Graduated
from Minsk Music Lyceum and State Belarusian Academy of Music (class
of Piano). Member of "Camerata" since 1995.
Alexander
Dovnar (tenor) was born in Minsk. Graduated from Minsk Music
Lyceum and State Belarusian Academy of Music (class of Chorus Conducting).
Member of "Camerata" since 1986.
Igor
Melnikov (bariton) was born in Mogilev (Belarus). Graduated
from Mogilev Music School and State Belarusian Academy of Music
(class of Bayan). Member of "Camerata" since 1987.
Alexei
Burdelev (bass) was born in Minsk. Graduated from Minsk Music
Lyceum and Institute of Culture in Saint Petersburg (class of Chorus
Conducting). Member of "Camerata" since 1995.
