Ritter-Preis 2016

The history of the Hamburger Ratsmusik goes back to the 16th century. In accordance with the principle »In honour of God and to delight and serve Hamburg», the city council shelled out for an elite ensemble of eight musicians (»Ratsmusiker«) who could rival many a princely court orchestra in quality. The Hamburger Ratsmusik first reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the viol player Simone Eckert revived the ensemble in 1991.