In order to tell you about my set of new sonatas for Evergreen Ensemble, I’m going to have to admit something: I’ve always had a soft spot for hipsters.

I’m not talking about those hipsters, although admittedly there is often some overlap, but rather HIPsters: Historically Informed Performance-sters. For a very long time now, I’ve been fascinated by their practice, by the instruments they play, and how these worlds might intersect with my own world of new music. When I say “for a very long time”, I’m not exaggerating. At the age of five, I reportedly came home from a Musica Viva schools concert at Meadowbank Primary School and announced with wide eyes that I would like to play the Velopity Gamba. I had in fact been referring to the Viola da Gamba, which gambist Jennifer Eriksson had demonstrated before us all that day. Jenny herself suggested that violin might be a better option for a five year old (fair enough), but eventually she did become my Gamba teacher when I was ready.

Alice Chance

Alice Chance. Photo © Soumya Subramanian

I’ve gone on to write for and work extensively with HIP...