Barokksolistene
HALLING & GASSENHAUER – NORWEGIAN HITS FROM THE 18TH CENTURY
Playful, innovative and with an endearing spontaneity: the concerts of the Barokksolistene are a distinctive experience in its own right. With Norway’s most famous baroque violinist, Bjarte Eike, serving as their leader, the ensemble presents most original programmes, such as the Ale House Sessions, with contagious tunes from the British pubs of olden times.
Commissioned by AMUZ, the group put together a similar concert with music from the 18th-century Norwegian pubs. Melodies from England, Holland, France and Germany easily found their way to he north via Hanse city Bergen, receiving a niche of their own among the medieval ballads and hallings (dances) which were to be considered later as the national heritage of Norway. This colourful and lively programme explores the ties between folk and art music, without however assigning much importance to those concepts. The informed listener will recognize melodies by Lully, Telemann and Händel, but where the music comes from is not an issue. Striking melodies and ambiance are the overriding purpose, and if anyone can get those across, it is the captivating Barokksolistene! Skål!