Welcome
Ensemble MIMAGE has been established by Miklós Spányi, Márta Ábrahám and György Schweigert.
In its basic form it functions as an unusual trio containing violin, harpsichord and double bass/violone.
Common aim of these three musicians is to perform 18th century virtuoso music in a true virtuoso style.
Using period instruments, Miklós, Márta and György want to explore the broad palette of the 18th century sound described in contemporary sources as rich, powerful and lively, with colourful articulation and a large tonal spectrum from the lowest to the highest frequencies and rich in overtones.
An important contribution to the rich sound is the presence of the double bass (or violone), sounding an octave lower than usual bass instruments like cello or viola da gamba. The double bass is an excellent continuo instrument, giving rich fundament and power to the bass line as well as overall resonance to the ensemble sound. Such '16 foot' instruments were often included in 18the century orchestras and chamber music. It is known how much Johann Sebastian Bach preferred powerful bass stops in organ and harpsichord, having throughout his life harpsichords with a 16 foot stop. Today only very few historical harpsichords are equipped with e 16' stop but it can be replaced with the 16' sound of the double bass, giving thus an often unusual new aspect to many works, among others J.S.Bach's six sonatas for violin with obligato harpsichord.
Repertoire of Ensemble MIMAGE covers the high baroque period from the virtuoso Italian school via J.S.Bach, G.Fr.Handel to the late baroque or 'galant' style including Pisendel, Benda and C.P.E.Bach. The ensemble also aims to perform contemporary music composed or arranged to this formation.