Ragnhild Hemsing | |
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Hemsing in Seljord 2011.
(Photo: Frode Inge Helland) |
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Background information | |
Born |
Valdres, Oppland |
15 February 1988
Origin | Norway |
Genres | Classical music |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Hardingfele, violin, vocals |
Years active | 1994 - present |
Labels | Simax, Chandos |
Website | www |
Ragnhild Hemsing (born 15 February 1988 in Valdres, Norway) is a Norwegian classical violinist and older sister of the classical violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing.
Hemsing was born into the heart of the Norwegian traditional folk region. She began to play the violin at 5 years of age and, showing exceptional talent, was invited to enroll at the prestigious Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo at the age of nine. Ragnhild is currently studying in Vienna with Prof. Boris Kuschnir. Hemsing plays on a Francesco Ruggeri violin built in Cremona in 1694 kindly on loan from the Dextra Musica Foundation.
At only 13 years of age Hemsing made her debut with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra where she performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, and with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. The following year she was invited to make her debut with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Since then she has performed with all major Norwegian orchestras as well as with the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Ukrainian National Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Kazan State Orchestra in Russia among others. Recent engagements include appearances with the Oslo Philharmonic and Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, the Geirr Tveitt Concerto for Hardanger Fiddle with the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra in Latvia, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hemsing was awarded the Sparre Olsen-prisen in 2005, for her "exceptionally instrumental endowment that grabs the audience with her vivid, passionate and brilliant performance", according to the jury.
She has given guest appearances at all major festivals and concert halls across Norway including the Bergen International Festival, the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, Hardingtonar Festival and Førde International World Music Festival, where she has been combining folk programmes with classical repertoire. As a recitalist she has also performed at the Northern Lights in Tromsø and the Stavanger, Trondheim and Harstad International Chamber Music Festivals, and at the Wigmore Hall, the Verbier Festival, Bellerive Festival in Switzerland and AlpenKlassik in Germany, amongst others. In 2011 together with Leif Ove Andsnes and Tine Thing Helseth, she performed at the Cheltenham festival.