Contre le Temps is a female vocal ensemble specialising in medieval music, founded in 2021 by Julia Marty, Cécile Walch, Karin Weston and Amy Farnell, during their training years at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (Basel). Seeking to interpret a variety of musical genres from the 11th to the 16th centuries, the ensemble combines musicological expertise with personal musical sensibilities.

Originally, this repertoire was performed by female singers who knew each other well and were accustomed to singing together. It is this musical and personal relationship that the ensemble aims to emulate, creating a unified sound that nevertheless respects and celebrates the individuality of each voice. Hence the unique emotional power that emanates from these four female voices singing in unison.

Contre le Temps favours a slow process of collective research, without a designated director; it tries out different phrasings, tempos and colours and takes the time to internalise and memorise the repertoire. This gradual approach contrasts with the current culture of speed often prevailing in the restoration of Early music.

Beside this effort of continually renewing its sound, the ensemble seeks to develop a special relationship with the audience by innovatively engaging the stage space to break away from the standard frontal layout. The ensemble also improvises, in the manner of a medieval musician, in order to make performances livelier for the audience.

Contre le Temps performs throughout Europe, not only in France (Beaune International Baroque Music Festival, CavroArts Festival in the Chevreuse Valley), but also in Belgium (Brugge Festival of Early Music, Laus Polyphoniae Festival in Antwerp), in England (Beverley Early Music Festival), in the Netherlands (Utrecht Oude Muziek Festival), and in Germany (Bavarian Radio’s Musica Antiqua concerts series, Via Medieval Festival).