Sandra Lied Hagas album debut with Tchaikovsky and Dvorák is recorded in the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory. Supported by the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia ‘Evgeny Svetlanov’ and conductor Terje Mikkelsen, Sandra Lied Haga emerges as one of the strongest musical voices in recent years. The two most iconic romantic works for cello and orchestra are united by Sandra for her debut album.
For Tchaikovskys famous Rococo Variations, it was a matter of course for Sandra to record the composers original version of the piece, which was revived as late as 1941. Dvoráks Cello Concerto was one of the few pieces the composer wrote while staying in New York, clearly showing the composer longing for his homeland in the thematic material.
Sandra Lied Haga is a daring and deeply involved performer in these masterworks, with both sparklingly virtuosic passagework and a unique singing tone as part of her musical DNA. Sandra’s rich, beautiful sound and prodigious talent has already caught attention internationally by protagonists like Daniel Barenboim and Anne-Sophie Mutter. She regularly plays chamber music concerts together with Mutter and the scholars in Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation and Mutter’s Virtuosi. Sandra has participated at festivals including the Salzburg Festspiele, Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, Utrecht Festival, Bergen International Festival and Verbier Festival, with music partners including Janine Jansen, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Lewis and Leif Ove Andsnes.
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Reviews
“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
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“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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“Lied Haga er ett av våre virkelig store navn på en kommende stjernehimmel”
“Stor klang fra ung musiker.”
“Den 26 år gamle Sandra Lied Haga har allerede utviklet en utrolig fintfølende klang i sitt instrument som enkelt sagt er vidunderlig.”
“Lied Haga is one of our truly great names in a future starry sky.”
– Trond Erikson, 19th June 2020
“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
Sandra Lied Haga 