Baroque Fever
Peter Spissky, violin
Bjarte Eike, violin
Thomas Pitt, violoncello
Allan Rasmussen, harpsichord
Today, thanks to scholarly research, we are able to imagine the sound world of those famous Italians who invaded the musical world around 1700. And yet, having the 'right' violin, the 'right' bow, 'right' strings, studying the 'right' way of playing, cannot bring us complete satisfaction. What is missing? Is it possible to recreate the spontaneous, fullblooded hazardous spirit itself? Maybe! ... But you need a fever! The Italian fever! And you'll be in great danger of getting one at a concert with these four completely mad guys living their 'Italian' lives travelling and playing around the world. One day it is the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro or Holmens Kirke in Copenhagen, another day a little Pub in Stuttgart or Hotel lobby in Beirut ... no difference ... it's a FEVER!
Baroque Fever was formed by leading members of the new generation of early music specialists in Copenhagen in 2000. Following an initial round of concerts in Denmark and Sweden, to universal critical acclaim in the national press, they have made numerous appearances (many with radio relay on Danmarks Radio and the EBU network) throughout Europe. Their debut CD was released in 2003 as part of a collaboration with Danmarks Radio. The core formation is 2 violins and continuo, enabling Baroque Fever to focus on the extrovert, extravagant Italian music from around 1700, as well as its influences throughout the rest of Europe. In addition to concerts at festivals such as the Holland Festival of Early Music Utrecht, Båstad (Sweden) and Vantaa (Finland) they have collaborated with larger ensembles, such as Norwegian Baroque Orchestra and Arte dei Suonatori (Poland), Jon Balke's 'Magnetic North Orchestra'. Future plans (2009/10) include concerts at The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence, York Early Music Festival, and a complete recording of Corelli trio sonatas. They teach and give master classes, individually and as an ensemble, at leading Nordic conservatories and summer schools. Their concerts are characterised by a vibrant approach to the music and communication with the audience.