Vox Præterita

Vox Præterita is an early music ensemble founded in 2020 by musicians specializing in performing repertoire featuring niche instrumentation. Years of education at the renowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland have shaped the diverse musical personalities of the ensemble members, giving their dynamic, virtuoso performances a common substantive and aesthetic denominator. The comprehensive experience of each of the ensemble’s artists in playing various instruments serves the long-term artistic goal of broadening musical perspectives and deepening specialist knowledge. It also allows for constructing unique, intricately balanced concert programs, intertwining the latest musicological research with artistic finesse and sensitivity. Indrė Kučinskaitė, Benedetta Ceron - cornetto BJ Hernandez - sackbut Weronika Paine - historical keyboards 📍 Basel, Switzerland

The musicians approach the little-known repertoire of the 16th- and early 17th-century from various perspectives, confronting the current standards of the Early Music stage with the rich cultural background of their continents of origin. The group’s areas of activity are always backed up with historically informed research, not merely covering the performance practice, but also delving into the broader socio-historical and artistic contexts. Interest in such areas as literature, fine arts, royal studies, or historical pedagogy enriches the musical creation of Vox Præterita, at the same time not concealing practical elements of contemporary music-making from their sight.

Ensemble Vox Præterita strives to display their profound passion for Early Music and to present it in a universally engaging fashion, which has been appreciated by listeners at festivals and concerts in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Central Europe. Creative instrumentation and dynamic casts within the ensemble allow for a unique interaction between the musicians and the structure of the repertoire, emphasizing the most characteristic and idiomatic features of repertoire that is mostly difficult to access for musicians of the mainstream within the so-called Historically Informed Performance Practice in the field of early music. Committed to excellence, the four musicians gladly welcome new opportunities of interactions with international audiences to expand their interest in the music of the Renaissance and early Baroque eras. The ensemble’s concerts are performed in the Venetian pitch “mezzo punto” (a=465Hz).

🎵 On 21.05.2025, our cornettist Indrė Kučinskaitė plays her final Master’s Recital at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, accompanied by our sackbut player BJ Hernandez, among other friends and colleagues. 🗓️ Wednesday, 21.05.2025, at 20:15 📍 Kartäuserkirche Basel Check out further details below:

Background photo by Martin Chiang.