“Divine cello playing, heavenly sound, a masterly performance”

Norwegian cellist Sandra Lied Haga stands on the threshold of a major career, having already won four international competitions and many major awards in Scandinavia – including the prestigious Equinor Classical Music Award in 2019. Her rich, beautiful sound and prodigious talent have caught attention worldwide.

Since her Wigmore Hall debut at the age of 12, Sandra’s passionate playing and the deep feelings she expresses has resonated with audiences and musicians all over the world, including musical centers like New York, Berlin, Prague, London, Zürich, Budapest, Warsaw and Tallinn. Major concert venues have been the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the Athenaeum Bucuresti, the Salzburger Festspielhaus and Reykjavik’s Harpa.

Sandra has worked with conductors such as Rodolfo Saglimbeni, Ari Rasilainen, Thomas Søndergård, Shao-Chia Lü, David Geringas and Terje Mikkelsen. With Terje Mikkelsen and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia «Evgeny Svetlanov» she recently recorded her debut album featuring Dvořák’s B minor Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations (original version) in legendary Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory. The album was released on label Simax Classics/Naxos in May, and has been praised internationally.

Following her participation in the Verbier Festival Academy, Sandra was invited to give a recital at the Verbier Festival at the age of just 17. Invitations from other major international festivals followed, including the Salzburger Festspiele, Utrecht Festival, Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, Pärnu Music Festival, Bell'Arte Frankfurt and Weilburg Schloss Festspiele. In addition, Sandra regularly guests the major Festivals in Norway and Scandinavia.

As a committed chamber musician, Sandra has collaborated with a number of prominent artists such as Janine Jansen, Anne-Sophie Mutter, the scholars of the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation and Mutter Virtuosi, Leif Ove Andsnes, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Lewis, Kathryn Stott, Lars Anders Tomter, Henning Kraggerud and Truls Mørk.

Born in Oslo in 1994, Sandra started playing the cello at the age of three, and was the youngest ever participant in the Barratt Due Institute of Music´s programme for talented children. Her teachers have included Oleg Kogan at the London Razumovsky Academy, Frans Helmerson at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin, and Truls Mørk, Lars Anders Tomter and Torleif Thedeen at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Sandra’s many international awards include 1. Prizes in the following competitions: Tallinn, Young Musician, Heran International Cello Competition, Padova International Music Competition, International Chance Competition in Moscow, aswell as Grand Prix Laureates, special awards, and the Bärenreiter Prize, European Union Prize, EMCY Art for Music Prize and Young Lindeman Prize, in addition to 8 national 1. Prizes.

Sandra Lied Haga plays a cello by Joannes Florenus Guidantus (Bologna, 1730), kindly provided by Dextra Musica.

“The cellist deserves the highest praise.”

“Especially characteristic is her full and unusually rich cello sound. Flawless intonation, a clear and secure phrasing as well as a ravishing cantabile distinguish her playing, which is capable of the most enchanting pianissimos and an equally great virtuosity.”

“….her playing achieves a phenomenal eloquence.”

“(...) beautiful and intense sound (...) She plays with a sure feeling for the music, fascinating refinement, stylish, charming and in the slow parts movingly soulful.”

‘Pizzicato’, Remy Franck, 8th May 2020
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“★★★★★★”
6 of 6 stars

“... This was my first encounter with Sandra Lied Haga’s playing, and I was blown away by the quality of her musicianship”

“... the slow movement of the Dvořák in particular is nothing less than exquisite.”

“... Sandra Lied Haga is plainly another young Norwegian destined for a career among the major performers of her day. In the meantime I recommend this recording with every enthusiasm, and with gratitude for an hour of the kind of inspired music-making that refreshes the jaded soul.”

‘KlassiskMusikk.com’, Martin Anderson, 17th September 2020
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“Sandra Lied Haga's wonderfully rich tone suits the long, lyrical lines of Dvorak´s Concerto to a tee”

Jeremy Pound, BBC Music Magazine, August 2020

“Impressively mature (...) Haga produces a wonderfully rich tone. I love the way she lingers over the solo part as well - obviously already a cellist who knows her musical mind.”

BBC Radio 3 Record Review, Andrew McGregor 30th May 2020
See full review (1:37:20 - 1:47:30)

“With this she leaves many recordings by renowned artists and record labels in the shadow (...) And what you hear is simply overwhelming.”

“Lied Haga astonishes with her fresh interpretation which, combined with a natural instinct for the music and great virtuosity, results in a convincing, fascinatingly beautiful and touching performance.”

“With no sense of cliché or affectation, though with heartfelt integrity to the music, extroverted outbursts flow seamlessly to moments of exquisite, sensitive lyricism. The listener is left to marvel at the pure, beautiful tone of the young Norwegian.”

“(...) an impressive debut album (...)”

“(...) A wonderful discovery.”

‘Glarean’- Christian Busch, 1st May 2020
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“★★★★★”
5 of 5 stars

“There is a new contender in the world of the cello: a 25-year-old Norwegian called Sandra Lied Haga. She started on the cello at three – dwarfed by her instrument – but swiftly rose to prominence, winning competition after competition, and charming everyone with her sound. She made her Wigmore Hall-debut aged twelve; The two works on this new CD at Simax Classics allow her ample scope to deploy her warm and passionate sound”

The Independent, 18th June 2020
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“Sandra Lied Haga emerges as one of the strongest musical voices in recent years.”
Simax Classics

“Every tone in the music is meant from Dvorak’s blood, liver and heart, which is exactly how it sounds in Lied Haga’s performance”
Magnus Andersson - Klassekampen

“She has had a sensational technical control from an early age, a rich, singing cello tone, and has over the years developed her own personal voice.”
Leif Ove Andsnes and fellow Jury of the Equinor Classical Music Award

“Divine cello playing, heavenly sound, a masterly performance.”
Grieg Festival

Solo

J. S. Bach: Suite no. 1 in G Major BWV 1007
J. S. Bach: Suite no. 3 in C Major BWV 1009
J. S. Bach: Suite no. 4 in E flat Major BWV 1010
J. S. Bach: Suite no. 5 in C Minor BWV 1011
J. S. Bach: Suite no. 6 in D Major BWV 1012
Z. Kodaly: Sonata for solo Cello Opus 8
G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Cello
K. Penderecki: Suite per Violoncello solo
Ø. Sommerfeldt: Mini-suite Opus 43

With Piano

L.v. Beethoven: 7 Variations on Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen WoO 46
L.v. Beethoven: Sonata No 5 D Major
J. Brahms: Sonata for Cello and Piano No 1 in E Minor
J. Brahms: Sonata for Cello and Piano No 2 in F Major
G. Cassado: Requiebros
F. Chopin: Introduction and Polonaise Brillante, Opus 3 (Leonard Rose/Gendron version)
F. Chopin: Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor Opus 65
C. Davidoff: At the fountain
A. Dvorak: Rondo in G major Opus 94
A. Dvorak: Waldesruhe Opus 68 no 5
G. Enescu: Sonata for Cello and Piano no 2
D. Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole – el Pano Moruno
G. Faure: Sonata for Violin (Cello) and Piano No 1 in A Major Opus 13
G. Faurè: Après un Reve Opus 7, no 1
G. Faure: Elegie Opus 24
G. Faurè: Papillion Opus 77
C. Franck; Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Major
E. Grieg: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A minor Opus 36
A. Kraft: Divertemento
B. Martinu: Moses Variations
F. Mendelssohn: Sonata for Cello and Piano No 2 in D Major Opus 58
F. Mendelssohn: Lied Ohne Worte in D major Opus 109
N. Miaskovsky: Sonata for Cello and Piano no 1
J. Offenbach: Musette Opus 24
J. Offenbach: Les Larmes des Jacqueline
A. Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango
D. Popper: Elfentanz Opus 39
D. Popper: Hungarian Rapsody Opus 68
D. Popper: Polonaise de Concert Opus 14
S. Prokofiev: Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Major Opus 119
S. Rachmaninoff: Vocalise Opus 34
S. Rachmaninoff: Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor
B. Romberg: Sonata for Cello and Piano in E minor Opus 38
C. Saint-Saens: Allegro Appassionata Opus 43
C. Saint-Saens: The swan
G. B. Sammartini: Sonata for Cello and Piano in G major
F. Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata for Cello and Piano
R. Schumann: Adagio and Allegro Opus 70
R. Schumann: Fantasy Pieces Opus 73
R. Schumann: Fünf Stücke im Volkston Opus 102
D. Shostakovich: Sonata for Cello and Piano in D Minor Opus 40
C. G. Sparre Olsen: Norsk kjærleikssong -Norwegian love song Opus 36
W. H. Squire: Humoresque for cello and piano Opus 26
P. Tchaikovsky: Pezzo Capriccioso Opus 62
A. Vandini: Sonata for Cello and Piano in F major

With Orchestra

L. v. Beethoven: Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano Opus 56
E. Bloch: Three pieces (from Jewish life)
L. Boccherini: Cello Concerto No. 7 in G major G. 480
F. Chopin: Introduction and Polonaise Brillante (arranged for Cello and orchestra)
I. Davidoff: Cello Concerto no. 1
A. Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor Opus 104
E. Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor Opus 65
G. Goltermann: Cello Concerto no 4 Opus 65
J. Haydn: Cello Concerto in C major
J. Haydn: Cello Concerto in D major (Opus 101)
E. Lalo: Cello Concerto in D minor
D. Popper: Requiem for 3 cellos Opus 66
S. Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante
C. Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto in A minor Opus 33
D. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto no. 1 in E flat major Opus 107
R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor Opus 129
P. Tchaikovsky: Rococco variations Opus 33
A. Vivaldi: Cello Concerto in A minor
A. Vivaldi: Double Cello Concerto in G major, RV 531

Chamber music

Duo:
L.v. Beethoven: Duo in E-flat Major for Cello and Viola
M. Ravel: Sonata for Violin and Cello Opus 7
Handel Halvorsen: Passacaglia for Violin and Cello

Trio:
A. Borodin: String trio in G minor
L.V. Beethoven: Piano trio in C minor Opus 1 No 3
L.V. Beethoven: Piano trio in B-flat major Opus 97
L.v. Beethoven: String trio in C minor Opus 9 No 3
E. Bloch: 3 Nocturnes for violin, cello and piano
J. Brahms: Clarinet trio in A minor Opus 114
J. Brahms: Piano trio no.1 in B Major Opus 8
E. Dohnany: Serenade for string trio Opus 10
A. Dvorak: Piano Trio “Dumky” Opus 90 B.166
E. Grieg: Piano trio in C minor "Andante Con Moto"
F. Mendelssohn: Piano trio No 1 in D minor Opus 49
F. Mendelssohn: Piano trio No 2 in C Minor Opus 66
W. A. Mozart: Piano trio in B flat major K.502
W. A. Mozart: Piano trio in E Major K.542
W. A. Mozart: Divertimento in E flat K563
A. Piazzolla: The four seasons arranged for Piano trio
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano trio no 1 in G minor "Trio Elegiaque"
M. Ravel: Piano trio in A minor
F. Schubert: String trio in B-flat major D471
F. Schubert: Piano Trio no 1 in B flat Major Opus 99
F. Schubert: Piano Trio in E Flat Major Opus 100 D929
C. Schumann: Piano Trio in G Minor Opus 17
D. Shostakovich: Piano Trio no. 1 in C major Opus 8
D. Shostakovich: Piano Trio no. 2 in E Minor Opus 67

Quartet:
A. Arensky: Cello Quartet No. 2 Opus 35
L.v. Beethoven: String Quartet in C minor Opus 18
L.v. Beethoven: String Quartet no. 16 Opus 135
J. Brahms: Piano Quartet in G minor Opus 25
J. Brahms: Piano Quartet in A Major Opus 26
J. Brahms: Piano Quartet in C minor Opus 60
A. Dvorak: String Quartet in F Major “American Quartet”
G. Faure: Piano Quartet no 1
E. Grieg: String Quartet in G minor Opus 27
L. Janacek: String quartet No. 1
G. Mahler: Piano Quartet in A minor
W.A. Mozart: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major K.493
W.A. Mozart: Piano Quartet in G Minor K.478
G. Puccini: String Quartet “Crisantemi”
F. Schubert: Quartetsatz in C minor
R. Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat major Opus 47
R. Strauss: Piano quartet in C Minor

Quintet:
L. Boccherini: String Quintet
L. Boccherini: Guitar Quintet no. 4 G.448
J. Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor Opus 34
A. Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A major Opus 81
C. Franck: Piano quintet in F minor Opus 4
M. Gaathaug: Piano Quintet
W.A Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major K. 581
F. Schubert: Quintet in A Major “Die Forelle” Opus. 114
F. Schubert: String Quintet in C major Opus 163
R. Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major Opus 44

Sextet:
J. Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major Opus 18
J. Brahms: String Sextet No. 2 in G Major Opus 36
A. Schöenberg: String Sextet "Verklärte Nacht" Opus 4
P. Tchaikovsky: String Sextet in D minor "Souvenir De Florence" Opus 70

Septet:
L.v.Beethoven: Septet in E-flat Major
C. Saint-Saens: Septet in E-flat Major

Octet:
F. Mendelssohn: String Octet in E-flat Major Opus 20
D. Shostakovich: Two pieces for string Octet Opus 11
J. Svendsen: String Octet in A Major Opus 3

Nonet:
A. Previn: Nonet for two string quartets and double bass
L. Spohr: Nonet in F Major for strings and winds Opus 31