Fighting fiddlers! The Barokksolistene ‘Alehouse Sessions’ to feature in a new BBC film

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In this exclusive video clip to The Strad, Norwegian violinist and the Barokksolistene perform Wallom Green from The Alehouse Sessions. First an album from 2017 as well as a series of performances, The Alehouse Sessions has now been turned into a film for television, to be broadcast on BBC Four on 23 April. 

Eike and Barokksolistene bring the camaraderie of the period, the artistry and the connection between musicians and the audience to life in this production, filmed on location at Battersea Arts Centre and The George Inn, Southwark.

The Alehouse Sessions aims to capture the atmosphere and sounds of London at a time where the theatres were closed, due to Oliver Cromwell’s prohibition in the 17th century. Instead of shutting up shop, the players simply moved their art to the tavern, providing a soundtrack comprising ballads, sea shanties, folk tunes, as well as pieces by Henry Purcell and John Playford.

The players featured in the documentary are:

Bjarte Eike (NO): violin, vocals, artistic director

Fredrik Bock (SE): guitar, charango, vocals

Per Buhre (SE): viola, vocals

Tom Guthrie (UK): lead vocals, violin

Johannes Lundberg (SE): double bass, vocals

Helge Andreas Norbakken (NO): percussion, vocals

Steven Player (UK): dance, guitar, vocals

Hans Knut Sveen (NO): harmonium, harpsichord, vocals

Milos Valent (SK): violin, viola, vocals

Guest cameo: Mary Bevan (UK): soprano

The film was commissioned by the BBC and directed by  Dominic Best for AdLib Productions.

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