Funded in part by the (German) Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media as part of the NEUSTART KULTUR project and by the Hessian Cultural Foundation.

Sprightly Companions: Inextricably linked to language, music of the early eighteenth century speaks with a Force of Eloquence which may surprise the twenty-first century listener with its relevance and expression. It argues, declaims, laments, provokes, charms and frolics, raising a voice beyond its time. The Sprightly Companions are driven by the desire to take part in the Great Conversation which deals with the perennial issues of the human condition through the ages and across the world as expressed through art, music, literature or dance, uniting us. Our language is music, and our tools are historical wind instruments. Founded in the USA in 2009, “The Sprightly Companions” are now based in Germany. They take their name from the earliest publications written about the oboe (hautboy) 1695 “The Sprightly Companion”, wherein it states:

… the Hautboy is so a fine and useful an instrument, and so portable a Companion…