Allmusic, Blair Sanderson, cd london calling (downloaded 20.12.12)
The vibrant singing by mezzo-soprano Tuva Semmingsen is an attractive feature of this 2012 release, and her flexibility and rich tone are well-suited to Handel’s florid settings of Italian and English texts. The virtuoso ensemble, dominated by strings, plays without vibrato and yields the shining sonorities of a Baroque orchestra, and the inclusion of trumpet, oboe, theorbo, and harpsichord adds spice to their polished blend.
September 2012, OpusKlassiek, Aarnout Coster, cd london calling
Het jeugdige, in 2005 in Noorwegen opgerichte, ensemble speelt met verrassend gemak en aanstekelijk enthousiasme. De tempi zijn goed gekozen – geen jachtig spel om maar zo snel mogelijk de dubbele streep te bereiken, wat sommige ensembles wel eens voor authentiek aanzien. Frasering en versieringen zijn smaakvol.
24.09.2012, Kultur, Mikal Krarup:
Oh, Purity, Johannes Larsen Museet, 23.september. Skævt på en sød måde. Man befinner seg glimrende i TrineliseVæring og venners let syrede univers….De fine barokmusikere udnytter deres ekspertise i puls, rytme og energi, men formår også at være poetisk svævende. (Transl: Not mainstream, in a sweet, positive way…The fine baroque musicians draw on their expertise for pulse, rythm and energi, yet are also able to be poetic.)
30.08.2012, Morgenavisen, Jyllands-Posten, Jakob Levinsen:
Den Ny Opera i Esbjerg er lykkedes med en pragtfuld udgave av Mozarts “Tryllefløjten”, som er rig på visdom og sødme….
24.08.2012, Dag og Tid, Sjur Haga Bringeland, CD-London Calling:
Nordisk Klang. Ei herleg Händelplate frå Noregs beste barokkorkester. I den staseleg breibeinte fyrstedelen får dei syna kva dei får til i breidda, med saftig tutti-klang og kvass og rapp rytmikk….Dei har den typiske nordiske barokklangen, med fjørlette strykarbogar kombinert med ein metta bassklang, sprø som søt havrekjeks.
17.07.2012, Dagbladet, Terje Mosnes
Mektig møte. – Siwan veteranene … var virtuost til stede, og fortsatt ledet Bjarte Eike sine presise Barokksolister med medrivende glød. Terningkast 5. Les mer
17.07.2012, Adresseavisen, Trygve Lundemo
En reise i tid og rom. - Konserten ble en reise mellom ulike verdensdeler, ulike sjangre og ulike epoker, fra øst til vest, fra barokk og middelalder til vår egen samtid. Konserten ble nok et bevis på hva mennesker med helt ulik bakgrunn kan skape når de lytter til hverandre og arbeider tett sammen.
17.07.2012, Romsdals Budstikke, Rolf Strand
Eksotisk og spennende. – …og så kom et flott parti der lederen av Barokksolistene spilte en chase, en jakt, med Kachiche, solofiolinisten som spilte på arabisk vis. Melodiene bølget fram og tilbake mellom de to, den klassiske fiolinisten brukte mange av “triksene” fra barokken, den andre fra arabisk musikk. Som helhet var dette en meget god konsert med toppmusikere, dyktig og engasjert framføring og eksotiske og spennende innstrykk. Terningkast 5. Les mer
27.06.2012, Østlandsposten, Rikke Askersrud
Lekent, lett og lekkert. …det ble en festforestilling uten like. Konserten balanserte mellom morsomme drikkeviser fra 1650 og nydelige musikkstykker fra samme periode. Les mer her og her.
27.06.2012, Tønsberg Blad, Helen Skevik Rønning
Fra kaffe til øl. Her møtes klassisk og folkemusikk til en salig blanding. …Ni jeanskledde menn står i Svend Foyns Bedehus og hauker om whisky, spiller og danser, tramper og hoier. Det hele minner om en britisk pub på 1600-tallet. Les mer
27.06.2012, Tønsberg Blad, Svein Erik Tandberg
Spenstig pubmusikk av fiin gammel årgang. I det som lar seg beskrive som en forrykende oppvisning av musikk, dans og verbale innslag, …, ble vi presentert for en historisk verden, fra Londons pubkultur på 1600-tallet. Terningkast 5. Les mer
26.06.2012, Tønsberg Blad, Svein Erik Tandberg
Konsert i melankoliens tegn. – Konserten var i seg selv et eksempel på hvordan man kan skape et meningsfylt konsept til stille ettertanke og meditasjon. I første rekke var det en intim ørensfryd…
15.06.2012, Blair Anderson in Editorial reviews, Ariama, CD-London Calling
…the norwegian period ensemble Barokksolistene stands on it`s own as a delightful survey of vocal and instrumental music by George Fredrick Handel. Under the leadership of violinist Bjarte Eike, the performances are caefully executed and appropiately interpreted, so fans of early music will find much to enjoy here. Read more
11.06.2012, Craig Zeichner in Editorial reviews, Ariama, CD-London Calling:
…immidiately proves Barokksolistene to be an excellent ensemble with a rich, full-bodied string sound (from only eight players!) and an energetic continuo section. Semmingsen`s dusky voice is big and plenty athletic. Read more
June 2012, Class Aktuell nr.2 2012, CD-London Calling:
…Die Vokalabschnitte werden voneinander getrennt durch bekannte und geschätzte Werke seiner italienischen Zeitgenossen, dargeboten in höchst farbenreichen und dynamischen Interpretationen durch die norwegischen Barokksolistene. Read more
Juni 2012, Danmarks Radio P2, Ugens CD
London Calling. Som sedvanlig leverer de norske barocspecialister, selv på cd, en orkesterpræstation med masser av udover-scenekanten-energi. Les mer
25.09.2011, Camilla Marie Dahlgreen in Information, Mariavesper, “Mariavesper”
Det er meget sjældent, men nogle gange findes der noget, der kun er smukt. («Very rarely, but sometimes you come across something which is just beautiful»)
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24.09.2011, Christine Christiansen in Jyllandsposten, “Mariavesper”:
«…Melancholy transformed into praise. In the joyful Magnificat final it reaches a sonorous climax.» (Translated from Danish)
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01.06.2011, Gregers Dirckinck-Holmfeld, “VELKOMMEN VED SWIMMING POOLEN”:
«Musiceret i orkestergraven af de norske ’Baroksolisterne’, som med deres forlystelsessyge musikalitet konkurrerer flot med vores egen Concerto Copenhagen – her med Lars Ole Mathiasen som dirigent, dér med Lars Ulrik Mortensen.»
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27.05.2011, John Christiansen in Jyllandsposten, “Indviklet, men dejlig barokopera”:
«Musikalsk var det noget af en fest. Det lokale ildjern, dirigenten Lars Ole Mathiasen fik med hele kroppen også dansekarakteren frem i samarbejdet med de dygtige norske Barokksolistene, 29 internationale musikere, som fulgte ham intensivt. Originalinstrumenternes mørkere klangfarver glødede med vemodig skønhed, så helheden blev dobbeltbundet.»
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20.07.2010, Martin Wilkening in Berliner Zeitung, “Seelenlaute aus der Taverne”:
«In the borderland between folk compositions, folklore and improvisations, Eike and his musicians move with sleep-walking like assuredness, full of impulses and virtuosic presence. (…) Incredible beautiful, in the midst of all the playfulness, are precisely those moments when Bjarte Eike, in an attentive and soft manner, lets his violin speak in articulations of the purest sort, straight from the soul.» (Translated from German).
18.07.2010, Carsten Niemann in Der Tagesspiegel:
«By improvising in a playful and risky manner, and topping it off with encouraging the audience to join in singing old drinking songs by baroque masters, the musicians are diluting the border between baroque and folk music.» (Translated from German).
16.06.2010, Igor Toronyi-Lalic i www.theartsdesk.com about “Madrigals into Opera” with I Fagiolini in St. John’s, Smith Square:
«And ultimately one was left looking to the sparky string quintet of the Barokksolistene, and their swashbuckling, Errol Flyn-like runs and turns, for some starry, show-offy theatrical swagger.»
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16.06.2010, Alexandra Coghlan in www.musicalcriticism.com about “Madrigals into Opera” with I Fagiolini in St. John’s, Smith Square:
«Pitting two solo violins against the massed continuo they were comfortingly and elegantly predictable, serving to re-tune the ear after the harmonic vagaries of the earlier madrigals. The playful swagger and technical sophistication of Barokksolistene was amply demonstrated throughout the evening…»
>>>Read more
11.08.2009, Geoffrey Norris in The Telegraph:
«Love spurned, love lost, love sought – these are the themes of a programme performed by these gifted musicians with their customary flair and sensibility.»
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August 2009, Anthony Pryer in BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE:
«…the Baroque instrumentalists under violinist Bjarte Eike add much to the Ballo della Ingrate – the high plucked strings accompanying Amore are magical and Plutone’s magnificent bass singing is neatly supported.»
>>>Read more (jpg-scan)
05.07.2009, Anna Picard in THE INDEPENDENT
«Most exciting, however, is the group’s reading of “Ballo delle Ingrate” and Barokksolistene’s sullen dance for the damned.»
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07.10.2008, Geir Rege i BERGENS TIDENDE about “Musikk og Myter”:
«For precisely in Baroque and folk music, where Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene operate, the work does not exist in a fixed shape or size, but must be recreated freely, within a given framework.» (Translated from Norwegian).
>>>Read more (jpg-scan) (article in Norwegian)
08.07.2008, TØNSBERG BLAD about Monteverdi Mariavespers:
«An artistic success for Vestfold Festspillene [...] Just as last years festival closing with Händels “Messias”, this years performance demonstrated a high international level. It is not difficult to put the word sensational to use.» (Translated from Norwegian).
02.07.2008, ØSTLANDS-POSTEN about “Spektakulære klanger fra Venezia”:
«We never thought we would describe a concert of baroque music as “funny and dramatic”. Bjarte Eike has however managed to shed new light on the baroque musical expression, giving this year’s “Larvik Barokk” a kick-start.» (Translated from Norwegian).
30.05.2008, Geir Rege in BERGENS TIDENDE about Il Concerto nel Teatro:
«What first and foremost impressed was the thoroughly tight, responsive and excessive interplay of the orchestra.» (Translated from Norwegian).
28.05.2008, Erik Steinskog in Bergen Puls/BERGENS TIDENSE about SIWAN:
”I never believed music would change the world, but for tiny moment last night I started wondering whether I might have been mistaken”. (Translated from Norwegian).
>>>Read more (article in Norwegian)
28.05.2008, Astrid Kvalbein in Aftenposten about SIWAN:
«A beautiful encounter between new music, Arabic and European traditions.» (Translated from Norwegian).
27.05.2008, Jacob Levinsen in JYLLANDSPOSTEN about Bjarte Eike:
«This years special Festival Artist is the baroque-violinist Bjarte Eike, that today is based in Copenhagen and is a member of Concerto Copenhagen. Judging from the flow of people attending – and the enthusiasm among them during his concerts – one of which deals with something as rare as classical improvisation – he has something close to idol status in Bergen – and understandably enough; because like many other Norwegian musicians he radiates a riveting awareness of pushing himself and the music out and beyond the ramp, a combination of old-style fiddler and modern star attitude, that seen through Danish eyes only can fascinate.» (Translated from Danish).
26.05.2008, Ståle Wikshåland in DAGBLADET about Baroque Jam Session:
«…and what playing! Dead on precision, with the whirlwinds of Vivaldi’s music at the exact right place…taking the music out in the extreme corners where it belongs, before collecting all the threads in the lamento-like ending – taking a bow and good night. That’s good timing!» (Translated from Norwegian).
>>>Read more (jpg-scan) (article in Norwegian)
26.05.2008, Ida Habbestad in BALLADE about Venezia – Tra chiesa e piazza:
«The performers demonstrated a rich repertoire; from simple and meditative songs, to playful folk dances with high tempo and joyful outcries.» (Translated from Norwegian).
26.05.2008, Ida Habbestad in BALLADE about Venezia – Il Palazzo
«[...] the musicians and the singers dazzled with their musical message – and the unpretentious musical transmission was casual and liberating.» (Translated from Norwegian).
27.04.2008, Per Asbjørn Risnes jr. in DAGENS NÆRINGSLIV – MAGASINET.
«It’s just old pop music» – Intervju med Bjarte Eike:
«Han gynger. Han slenger med luggen. Han lar venstrehånden fare opp og ned felehalsen. Bøyer felen frem og tilbake. Den korte buen. Han stepper takten til buedragene over felen. Løfter på kneet som en heavysolist. Som en spellemann. Mer som en frontvokalist enn en fiolinist.»
>>>Read more
24.05.2008, Tori Skrede in VG about Venezia – Tra chiesa e piazza:
«Bjarte Eike has managed to find a musical expression that swings intensely, with a life and virtuosity rarely heard of.» (Translated from Norwegian).
24.05.2008, Astrid Kvalbein in AFTENPOSTEN about Venezia – Tra chiesa e piazza:
«[...] when Bjarte Eike and his co-musicians set the tone with a Sinfonia av da Vidrana in an interplay between the right and left gallery, we were reminded of the kind of spectacular stereo- and quadraphonic- effects one could create already several hundred years ago. [...] The music was swinging, laying an improvisational playfulness throughout the thoroughly incorporated style confidence in the music of Giorgio Mainiero and Claudio Monteverdi.» (Translated from Norwegian).
BERGENS TIDENDE, 22. May 2008
«Festival Musician Bjarte Eike will show the audience the diversity and daringness of baroque music. Through spirituality, pub-music and a quick tour through baroque history. » (Translated from Norwegian).
>>>Read more (text in Norwegian)
16.05.2008, John Kelman on www.allaboutjazz.com about SIWAN, MaiJazz 9.5.2008:
«For nearly two hours the audience was treated to music that had so many fundamental parts as to transcend any single source. While the reference points could be identified, the whole was truly greater than the sum of its parts; a new kind of music that was undoubtedly challenging to play, but represented some of Balke’s most accessible writing to date.»
19.04.2008, Jan H. Landro in BERGENS TIDENDE about Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene:
«And best of all: these are artists who take their art so seriously that they can afford to be informal when meeting a young audience. Just look at how the baroque violinist Bjarte Eike and his partners handle this program. With humour and solemnity, both serious and relaxed. They magnificently convey their music in a serious and playful manner, popularizing baroque music in an exemplary fashion.» (Translated from Norwegian).
28.09.2007, Arild R. Andersen in OsloPuls about Cosmopolite «SIWAN Live 07»:
«The Ensemble invites us in with their dynamic and adaptive way of playing. Andreas Arendt’s theorbe, a plucked string instrument from Baroque times, and Hans Knut Sveen’s harpsichord gives the experience an historical dimension, while Balke brings forward rhythms from our time. The balance is almost perfect, and when the style-creator Jon Hassel lifts his trumpet, the world falls into place.» (Translated from Norwegian).
10.07.2007, Svein Erik Tandberg in TØNSBERG BLAD about Händels Messias
Her var nærmest et hav av glitrende prestasjoner å skrive om. Vi avstår likevel fra en nærmere analyse og nøyer oss med å si at klumpen i vår egen hals aldri var langt borte under denne konserten. (Translated from Norwegian).
>>>Read more
