Trondheim Soloists (TrondheimSolistene)

The Trondheim Soloists (Trondheimsolistene) from Norway is one of the most exciting young ensembles performing on the international stage.

February 2011. A group of classical musicians from Norway is back at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, sharing the red carpet with the greatest names in musical entertainment. They’re not from a powerhouse orchestra in Oslo or Bergen, but from a picturesque town hemmed in by mountains and a fjord. They’re the Trondheim Soloists, accepting their fifth Grammy nomination in three years.

It’s the latest in a long list of accolades. The ensemble’s spirit, diligence and innovation are paying off again – this pure, lithe, unpredictable and idiosyncratic group fast building a reputation for quality and originality.

It started in 1988. The ensemble for training young string players soon became known for its energy and warmth. On its first foreign tour, London audiences wouldn’t stop clapping. The Trondheim Soloists turned professional, but the spirit of apprenticeship stayed: student musicians became part of its constitution.

Major collaborations followed. Anne-Sophie Mutter sought-out the ensemble’s energy and verve. Leif Ove Andsnes tapped into its smoothness and sensitivity. Folk and rock artists discovered its versatility and openness.

Trondheim, though, always shines through. They call it ‘the city with a heart’. And that’s precisely what you hear in the unmistakable Trondheim sound.

photo: norway.no