Ensemble Diderot

Ensemble Diderot, founded in 2008 by violinist Johannes Pramsohler, specializes in revitalizing European Enlightenment repertoire. Their archetypal trio sonata format of two violins, cello or viola da gamba, and harpsichord was extremely popular during the 17th and 18th centuries, providing a vast collection of music to select from for period-instrument recordings. The Paris-based ensemble recorded four discs grouped by composer locales in Dresden, Paris, London, and Berlin. The Paris Album (2019) includes vivacious music from Sébastien de Brossard and Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre; The London Album (2019) is highlighted with inclusions from Henry Purcell’s intensely expressive Trio Sonata No. 9 in C Minor, Z. 798 (1680). Backed by meticulous historical research, Ensemble Diderot has also navigated other niche repertoires: They recorded Sonatas for three violins (2021) and feature Gulrim Choï, their continuo cellist, on the laser-focused 2022 release Cello Concertos from Northern Germany.