As we close the chapter on our Golden Anniversary season, it’s time to reflect on some of the milestones that have shaped our journey over the past 50 years. This special occasion allows us to delve into our office archives and celebrate the achievements that have defined our legacy. From global tours to acclaimed recordings and artistic tributes, our history is rich with accomplishments that have left a lasting impact on the world of early music. Join us as we explore some of these highlights…
International Touring
Beyond our commitment to delivering exceptional performances to UK audiences, AAM has also made a significant mark internationally. Our archives contain a treasure trove of concert posters from across Europe, Asia, and South America, highlighting our global outreach.
Istanbul Music Festival, 2005. Click next to see more.
AAM at the 11th Beijing Music Festival, 2008
Sumi Jo & Academy of Ancient Music, Korea, 2011
Among these items, we also treasure a unique Brazilian licence plate, a memento from our 1998 tour to Rio de Janeiro—an item that commemorates our transatlantic adventures!
Acclaimed Recordings
While live performances are at the heart of our work, we are equally dedicated to producing high-quality recordings that resonate with audiences worldwide. Our commitment to excellence was recognised with the prestigious Gramophone Award for our 2001 recording of Handel's Rinaldo.
Gramophone Award, 2001, for Handel’s Rinaldo
Handel’s Rinaldo album cover
Our 1989 recording of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, featuring Emma Kirkby and James Bowman, achieved remarkable success, selling over 15,000 copies in Holland. In recognition of this achievement, we were awarded a plaque in 1995.
Award plaque, 1995, for selling 15,000 copies of Stabat Mater.
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater (1989) album cover
Artistic Tributes
Our musical journey has also been commemorated through various artistic tributes.
Notable artworks in our archives celebrate our performances and achievements, including this painting of Wigmore Hall, where we used to perform regularly.
We also hold a sketch from Southampton-based artist Barry Davis, gifted to us in 2001. Inspired by AAM’s music, Davis noted, “The drawings are a spontaneous expression of what I feel when hearing this wonderful music. I hope concertgoers will take the same pleasure in looking at them as I did when drawing them.”
From celebrated recordings and global tours to artistic tributes, each element contributes to AAM’s rich history and legacy. While it’s impossible to summarise 50 years of accomplishments in this short feature, we hope this glimpse into our archives offers a meaningful journey down memory lane.
As we conclude our Golden Anniversary season, we look forward to the next 50 years of innovation and excellence. Thank you for being part of our story, and we look forward to sharing many more achievements with you in the years to come.
Homer Wong, Development & Events Co-ordinator
