Back to Navigation page INTRODUCING THE AMBACHE Welcome to the chamber orchestra and ensemble The Ambache; this page is an introduction to what it does, and how to find details on this site. You can click any link on this page, and come back here via your browser's Back button. All pages can be accessed directly from the Navigation page, and there are numerous links back to it. It was founded in 1984 by Diana Ambache (see photos & biographies), out of her love for Mozart Piano Concertos (see why Mozart?); the very first concert had two of them, numbers 14 and 18, which were recorded for Meridian (see sound clips & CD shop). One of the characteristics of these pieces that Diana admired was the chamber music-like writing for the instruments, so she wanted to perform without a conductor, in a collaborative way. See no conductor for what the musicians think of this method, and also photos & biographies (section 5) for a sequence taken at an Ambache conductorless rehearsal. Back to Navigation page Over the years the group has given regular performances at St John's Smith Square and the South Bank (see press comment) and recorded several Mozart concertos (sound clips & CD shop). When researching for contemporaries of Mozart to include in the programmes, Diana came across a number of works by women composers, and the Ambache began to perform them (see women composers). After a number of years, and with the help of research grants, she created a web site with her accumulated information (see Women of Note). Back to Navigation page For more about the group and who is behind it, see our patrons and our directors; links contains connections to related organisations, and sponsor us information of how companies can participate with us, with details on those who have done so. Two other activities of the Ambache are Education and Business Training. The education page includes details of a specific projects, plus our educational philosophy. On Business Training, Diana Ambache and her duo partner the oboist Jeremy Polmear have been running courses on creativity and teamwork for many years, applying the lessons of the Arts to business people; these courses are described in detail on the Duo's own web site (see Polmear Ambache Duo). Within the Ambache, people can investigate mechanisms of teamwork by participating in an Ambache rehearsal (see business training). Back to Navigation page For the Ambache's current activities, see London concerts and UK concerts. Some recent press coverage can be found in the articles. Plans for future series can be seen at future plans The Ambache welcomes your participation in its activities; come to a concert, buy a CD, or become a Friend of the orchestra. Businesses can become corporate friends, or sponsor the orchestra, anything from a single player at a single concert to an orchestral tour (see sponsor us). And if you'd like to get in touch then do contact us. This page also enables you to get on to our e-mailing list, which goes out every couple of months or so with news of both the orchestra and changes to this site. Back to top or Back to Navigation page