Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir

Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir is a charismatic Icelandic-American cellist known for her captivating performances across the globe. Born on April 16, 1984, in Reykjavik, Iceland, she has appeared as a soloist with renowned orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Her recital and chamber music performances have taken her to prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Suntory Hall, and Disney Hall. Sæunn has garnered numerous awards, including top prizes at the Naumburg Competition in New York and the Antonio Janigro Competition in Zagreb, Croatia.

Sæunn is an avid chamber musician who has collaborated with notable artists like Itzhak Perlman and Mitsuko Uchida. She is a founding member and co-Artistic Director of Decoda, The Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall. Her recent recordings include "Marrow: The 6 Suites for Solo Cello by J.S. Bach" and "Vernacular," a solo album featuring Icelandic music for cello. Sæunn serves on the faculty of the University of Washington in Seattle, teaching cello and chamber music. Her performances are praised for their emotional intensity, and she continues to champion new music, often premiering works by contemporary composers.

Genres