Piffaro, The Renaissance Band, is renowned for its dedication to recreating the sounds of the late Medieval and Renaissance periods. Founded in 1980, the ensemble has honed its expertise in playing a wide array of historical wind instruments such as shawms, dulcians, sackbuts, recorders, krumhorns, bagpipes, lutes, guitars, harps, and a variety of percussion. The group derives its name from the Italian piffero, an instrument akin to the oboe, which epitomizes the band's focus on wind instruments of the Renaissance.

Based in Philadelphia, Piffaro delights audiences worldwide with its highly polished performances that bring to life the lush and vibrant tapestry of Renaissance music. They are recognized for their scrupulous scholarship and their innovative programming, which ranges from staged productions to thematic concerts that link Renaissance music to historical and cultural contexts. Their discography includes a wide array of albums that capture the essence of different geographical and thematic spheres of the Renaissance world. Releasing works like "Back Before Bach: Musical Journeys," with its exploration of the roots of Baroque music, to "Los Ministriles in the New World," which offers a sound-palette blending European Renaissance music with New World influences, Piffaro consistently provides fresh and enlightening interpretations of historical music. Critical acclaim and numerous awards have greeted their recordings and performances, establishing Piffaro as one of the leading ensembles in the realm of early music.

Genres

American Early Music

Early Music Ensemble

Latest Release

Back Before Bach: Musical Journeys

Piffaro

Album - 38 Tracks - Released July 14, 2017