Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra was founded in 1979 and quickly gained international recognition as a leading period performance ensemble. Led by violinist Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusik recorded their first CD in 1982 and now have a discography of over 50 titles, many of them award-winners. The orchestra members are specialists in historically accurate performance on period instruments, lending the orchestra a rich authentic sound. In 1981 the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir was formed to complement the orchestra; they specialize in baroque performance practice and vocal technique. Happily, Tafelmusik makes its home in my city, Toronto, where they perform about 50 concerts a year; they also tour extensively around the world.
Tafelmusik's Toronto home is at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church on Bloor St., where I have seen them perform several times. On those hard pews in that sadly drywalled and whitewashed chapel I have had some transcendant moments, the most profound when the choir broke into a rousing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, the singers radiating joyful energy as they rocked back and forth on the balls of their feet, singing that gorgeous tune by Bach.
www.tafelmusik.org