konsortie

Konsortie is a term used to describe a small ensemble of musicians organized to perform consort music, often drawing from early music traditions. The word derives from Dutch konsort (consort) and from Latin consort-, meaning association. Historically, konsorties—consorts—were ensembles of instruments that played together, common from the Renaissance into the Baroque periods. There were two main forms: a whole consort, with instruments from the same family (for example, six viols da gambas), and a broken or mixed consort, combining instruments from different families (such as viols with recorders or flutes). The repertoire spans from the 16th to the 18th centuries and includes music written specifically for consorts as well as arrangements of polyphonic works.

In modern usage, a konsortie may refer to an early-music ensemble dedicated to consort repertoire. Contemporary groups often perform with period-appropriate instruments or replicas and use historical tunings and temperaments. Repertoire commonly includes music by composers such as John Dowland, William Byrd, Giovanni Gabrieli, Michael Praetorius, and other Renaissance and Baroque composers.

Ensembles vary in size from small trios to larger groups and are active in concert venues, festivals, and educational programs. While the term is most commonly used in Dutch- and German-speaking contexts, it appears in broader European musical discourse as well.