Håkon Samuelsen , cello

"Håkon is a great instrumental talent with a natural gift for music." Truls Mørk, cellist

Håkon first picked up the cello at age six and is now studying at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne,Germany, with prof.Frans Helmerson.

Several world-famous cellists have spent time developing Håkon into one of the most exciting young musicians in Norway . Among them are Norway 's perhaps most internationally acclaimed cellist Truls Mørk and the legendary Russian instructor Natalia Shakowskaya.

Håkon has, in addition to his steady tutoring from these masters, received master classes from Young Chang Cho, Colin Carr, Boris Pergamensicow,Gary Hoffman and Zakhar Bron. He also received master classes from Philippe Müller at the Kronberg Cello Festival

The young Norwegian has won a number of prizes, including the first prize plus a special prize at the Norwegian National String Competition. He has also received several honorary prizes and culture prizes from the Norwegian State.

The list of orchestras with which Håkon has played as a solo artist is impressive and growing. So far, some of the highlights include the Budapest Chamber Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic, the Oslo Symphony Orchestra and the Barrat-Due Chamber Orchestra,and Syrinx Festival Orchestra-Nice.,France.

Together with his sister Mari, he has held concerts not only in Norway 's biggest and best venues, but also around the globe. The two have performed in countries like England , Germany , Netherland, Russia, Hungary , Lithuania , Monaco , Spain , India , France and Sweden.In june 2005 they made their Carnegie Hall debut with great sucsess.At the same tour they gave a concert at Washington's 'Wolf Trap' for 7000 people and broadcasted in NPR.

A definite highlight for the cellist came in November 2003, when Håkon and Mari held several concerts in London on instruments created by Antonio Stradivari. The two were invited by Sotheby's, who wished to let potential buyers listen to the instruments' sound before they placed their bids. The special event became a news story in three national newspapers. BBC Radio and BBC World Service also made stories featuring the siblings and the two outstanding instruments.

Like his sister, Håkon Samuelsen has performed at all the major Norwegian chamber music festivals and festivals abroad, during which he has worked with artists such as A. Brendel, Leif Ove Andsnes, Truls Mørk, Lawrence Power,Joshua Bell, The Grieg Trio, Phillipe Graffin,L.Maisky,Kirill Troussov,Sylvia Schwartz and Inon Barnatan and Seji Ozawa.

In 1998 the two played at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo . Later that year they gave a concert in Salle Garnier in Monte Carlo for Monaco 's Royal Family.

In the summer of 2005,  Håkon became the first Scandinavian artist ever to receive the prestigious Prix de Jean Nicolas Firmenich at the Verbier Festival and Academy in Verbier, Switzerland.

Upcoming concerts include debut in the Concertghebow,concerts in Den Haag ,Bratislava and Düsseldorf,Tour in USA organized of Norwegian ministry and concert with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.

Håkon Samuelsen plays a fine Francesco Rugieri ( Cremona 1688) and a fine E.Sartory cello-bow (Paris 1898) kindly on loan from Anders Sveaas' charitable foundation.


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