John Mark Rozendaal specializes in teaching and performing stringed
instrument music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras. As founding
Artistic Director of Chicago Baroque Ensemble, JMR performed and led
seven seasons of subscription concerts, educational programs, radio
broadcasts, and recordings for the Cedille and Centaur labels. Rozendaal
served as principal 'cellist of The City Musick, and Basically Bach,
and has performed both solo and continuo roles with many period instrument
ensembles, including the Newberry Consort, Orpheus Band, and the King's
Noyse. Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra, the Catacoustic Consort,
Philomel, Parthenia, The New York Consort of Viols, and Empire Viols. JMR
performs as a member of Trio Settecento with violinist Rachel Barton Pine and
harpsichordist David Schrader.
Rozendaal's viola da gamba playing has been praised as "splendid" (Chicago
Tribune), and "breathtaking" (Sun-Times). Recordings are available
on the Cedille and Centaur labels.
A dedicated teacher, Rozendaal is in demand as a workshop teacher
and often joins the faculties of the Viola da Gamba Society of America
Conclave, Viols West’s annual workshop, Amherst Early Music, Madison
Early Music Festival, and the Music Institute of Chicago’s annual Baroque
Festival. As Artist -in-Residence at The Harvey School, a coeducational college preparatory school locatied in Katonah, New York, Rozendaal led the Harvey Early Music Ensemble's tours to England in 2006 and to Italy in 2007. JMR teaches private lessons and viola
da gamba Dojo classes at his studio in Manhattan.
My Instruments
I play the baroque 'cello and the viola da gamba.
My ‘cello was made by an unknown Tyrolean maker in the eighteenth century.
It is large, dark and beautiful. It is set up with a baroque style bridge
and fittings by William Monical.
My bass viola da gamba was made in London in 1650 by William Turner. Roger
North tells us that during England’s Civil War all of the arts suffered
excepting that music alone flourished because in those dangerous times many
would rather fiddle at home than go abroad and be knocked on the head. I
imagine that my viol was a good companion for a musical family during those
evil days. It has a beautiful heart-shaped sound hole in the center of the
top; many seventeenth-century viols are ornamented with emblems of love.
My treble viola da gamba was made by Clark Gaennie in Somerville, Massachusetts
in 1980.
What is a VIOLA DA GAMBA?
The viola da gamba is a bowed stringed instrument that originated in
the Renaissance. Having six strings and frets, and played with a bow, it
resembles a cross between a 'cello and a guitar. The viola da gamba's large
repertoire includes some of the most beautiful ensemble music ever composed
as well as virtuoso solos by the most famous composers of the baroque era.
The viola da gamba comes in several sizes. I play the treble, the tenor
and the bass.
For more information about the viola da gamba, go to:
My Colleagues
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