Nicholas Kraemer
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Kraemer is a British harpsichordist
and conductor
. Kraemer began his career as a harpsichordist. From playing continuo
(on a harpsichord
) at the back of an orchestra he proceeded to the front where he began directing from the harpsichord, notably the English Chamber Orchestra
in the 1970s, where his repertoire widened, taking in the 19th and 20th centuries as well as Baroque
music.
Kraemer has served as Artistic Director of the Irish Chamber Orchestra
, the London Bach Orchestra, the music program of the Bath Festival
and the English Touring Opera
(then Opera 80). He founded and directed the Raglan Baroque Players. From 1971 to 1988 he was musical director of the W11 Opera
children's opera, which he co-founded.http://w11opera.org/bios/musicaldirectors.html#kraemer He currently holds the positions of Principal Guest Conductor of the Manchester Camerata
, Principal Guest Conductor of Music of the Baroque
, Chicago and Permanent Guest Conductor of Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur
.
Harpsichordist
A harpsichordist is a person who plays the harpsichord.Many baroque composers played the harpsichord, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, George Frideric Handel, François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. Kraemer began his career as a harpsichordist. From playing continuo
Figured bass
Figured bass, or thoroughbass, is a kind of integer musical notation used to indicate intervals, chords, and non-chord tones, in relation to a bass note...
(on a harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
) at the back of an orchestra he proceeded to the front where he began directing from the harpsichord, notably the English Chamber Orchestra
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
in the 1970s, where his repertoire widened, taking in the 19th and 20th centuries as well as Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
music.
Kraemer has served as Artistic Director of the Irish Chamber Orchestra
Irish Chamber Orchestra
The Irish Chamber Orchestra is a Irish classical music ensemble, administratively based at the University of Limerick. The ICO primarily gives concerts at the University Concert Hall, Limerick and at the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin...
, the London Bach Orchestra, the music program of the Bath Festival
Bath International Music Festival
The Bath International Music Festival, also known as the Bath Music Fest, is held each summer in Bath, South West England. Inaugurated in 1948, the festival includes many genres such as orchestral, contemporary jazz, folk and electronica...
and the English Touring Opera
English Touring Opera
English Touring Opera is an opera company in the United Kingdom. From 1979 to 1992 it was known as Opera 80.- About the company :Opera 80 was founded in 1979 by the Arts Council of Great Britain as the successor to Opera For All; in 1992 the company changed its name to English Touring Opera...
(then Opera 80). He founded and directed the Raglan Baroque Players. From 1971 to 1988 he was musical director of the W11 Opera
W11 Opera
W11 Opera is an independent opera company which produces operas performed by young people aged 9 to 18. Founded in 1971, it takes its name from its location in W11, a postal district in West London consisting largely of Notting Hill and parts of Holland Park....
children's opera, which he co-founded.http://w11opera.org/bios/musicaldirectors.html#kraemer He currently holds the positions of Principal Guest Conductor of the Manchester Camerata
Manchester Camerata
The Manchester Camerata is a British chamber orchestra based in Manchester, England. The orchestra was founded in the 1971–1972 season. A sub-group from the orchestra, the Manchester Camerata Ensemble, specialises in chamber music performances....
, Principal Guest Conductor of Music of the Baroque
Music of the Baroque
Music of the Baroque is a professional chorus and orchestra based in Chicago that specializes in the performance of eighteenth-century works.-History:...
, Chicago and Permanent Guest Conductor of Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur
Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur
The Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur is a symphony orchestra based in Winterthur, Switzerland. The oldest orchestra in Switzerland, it was founded in 1875 as the Stadtorchester Winterthur. The Musikkollegium itself as an organisation out of religious roots to that time was founded in 1629...
.