Alehouse Sessions

Welcome to the Alehouse! 

An award-winning ensemble, an evening of drinking songs, folk tunes, spontaneous dialogue, raw moves, tender ballads, virtuos musicality and storytelling.  What`s not to like! 

With warmth, wit and artistry Barokksolistene travel the world bringing British and Nordic cultural heritage to pubs, clubs and castles, and fancy places like the Royal Albert Hall. And now – Studentenes Hus på Gjøvik! To top it all off, two of their favourite folk dancers are joining in as guests! 

Welcome to The Alehouse Sessions! 

No High Culture here mate! 

Picture plague-ravaged London in the 17th century. Packed theatre houses offering all-day events filled with music, performance, food and conversation. One of the few places where people from all walks of life could gather in an otherwise rigidly class-divided society. Even women were allowed in! 

Then the Puritans came to power, and The Puritans firmly believed that playing the fiddle would lead to moral decay... 

Theatres closed, and before long, music was permitted only in the service of God. 

But these were difficult times! People needed to dance, swear, laugh and sing. And performers still had to put food on the table. What happened? Well, artists and audiences moved underground, finding refuge in pubs, taverns and brothels. There, they found freedom and impulses from around the world. 

Now, nearly 400 years later, early music is labelled “high culture”.  

Twenty years ago violinist and artistic director Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene decided it was time to awaken the true spirit of the scene. Because it’s really just old pop music. 

ABOUT BAROKKSOLISTENE 

This early music ensemble is truly one of a kind. They win awards, land prestigious commissions, receive rave reviews – but above all, they win over audiences wherever they go, earning standing ovations and enthusiastic praise in venues ranging from cult clubs and pubs to castles, cathedrals and some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. 

The ensemble’s members are personally selected by violinist and artistic director Bjarte Eike. They are chosen not only for their exceptional musicianship and expertise in historically informed performance practice, but also for their ability to sing, dance, improvise and tell a story when needed. As one reviewer put it, their approach is “deliciously egalitarian.” Another described them as “an alchemical miracle of an ensemble.” 

Guests 

Silje Onstad Hålien Dancer, choreographer and artistic director, and the force behind Mamelukk Dansekompani. Silje has won multiple awards for her productions, and is a fearless and innovative force in the performing arts. Creating productions where folk music, traditional dance and contemporary artistic expression intertwine. 

Silje Risdal Liahagen, is a dancer, actress and award winning singer, with focus on folk music and dance. She is also in demand as a singing and dance instructor. 

Barokksolistene  

Bjarte Eike (NO): fiolin, kunstnerisk leder 

Milos Valent (SK): fiolin/bratsj   

Carl Fredrik Bock (SE): gitar/charango   

Per Gunnar Buhre (SE): bratsj 

Sven Johannes Filip Lundberg (SE): kontrabass   

Helge Andreas Norbakken (NO): perkusjon   

Steven Player (UK): barokkgitar 

Hans Knut Sveen (NO): harmonium/ cembalo