Amus Kerstin Biography

Amus Kerstin Andersson is a well-known violinist of The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra of which she is a member since 1988. Over the years she has been active in other leading positions in Swedish musical life as well: concert master of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra , The Stockholm Sinfonietta and The Norrköping Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. During the 1980s and 1990s she also led her own Amus Quartet.

Amus Kerstin´s wide ranging capacities and her musical versatility have been apparent in many ways in addition to her work with The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra – for instance through a number of groundbreaking productions with a wide range of different musicians.

Her musical understanding was founded in Mora in the county of Dalarna in Sweden, where she grew up in close countact with this regions famously strong folk musical traditions. The tight bonds to folk music and classical music alike, have given her a firm foundation in music.

At 15 years of age she was accepted to the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, where legendary violinist Leo Berlin became a very important mentor of hers. "She possesses a shimmering and noble tone, classical appearance, a refinement of style and a great musical versatility", Leo Berlin maintained. Before that, Amus Kerstin had studied privately for another great violinist of his time, Sven Karpe, who was blown away by a playing "reminiscent of the clarity of a folk song".

As a teenager she toured the world being a member of The World Youth Orchestra, for which she later became concert master.

As a soloist she has performed with all the leading orchestras in Sweden, playing classics like the Beethoven Violin Concerto as well as lesser known works like the Kurt Weill Violin Concerto and Swedish romantic violinist and composer Tor Aulin´s beautiful Violin Concerto No. 3.

In addition to her career as a musician, Amus Kerstin is a much sought-after teacher and coach. In this capacity she works with single students as well as with larger ensembles and in work shops.

Amus Kerstin Andersson plays on a Nicolo Gagliano, built in Naples in 1774.

Texts: Tony Lundman.