Welcome to Eivind Ringstad, our new Principal Viola

At what age did you start playing your instrument, and what made you choose it? Were there any memorable early experiences that made you realise you wanted to do this as a career?

I started playing the violin at the age of 5. It was my parents who chose it for me at that early age. Ten years later I discovered the viola and I started playing it in my local youth string orchestra and then I became part of a formed string quartet as well. I really loved the darker sound of the viola, but also the role a violist has, especially in the string quartet since I get to play not just accompaniment but also melodies and even bass lines. I believe it was around this time I decided that I wanted to become a musician.

Do you have any heroes on your instrument?

Yes, and they all made an influence for my playing. I remember some of my first CDs I got from my parents of viola player was Yuri Bashmet and Lars Anders Tomter. Both made a big impression on me early on when I started playing viola myself. But at the end of the day impossible for me to choose one violist over another, they all inspire me in different ways. I do want to say that I think it’s great that we have some many great viola players today, and I get inspired listening to their recordings and seeing them perform in concerts.

What are you most looking forward to in the rest of this LSO season? Any conductors, soloists or repertoire that catch your eye? Any stand-out tour destinations?

I am looking forward to our big tour in February and March to the United States with our chief conductor Sir Antonio Pappano. Among the soloists on this tour is violinist Janine Jansen, and I can’t wait to experience her performing with the LSO in Carnegie Hall.

If you could go back, what advice would you give your younger self as an aspiring musician?

I would remind my younger self to be patient and take my time when I am learning new repertoire. It takes time to get a piece of music under your skin, and really know it both technical and musically.

Are there any other interesting things about you we should know? Do you play any other instruments? Do you have any hidden talents?

In the past I played several instruments. In addition to the violin and the viola I played the trumpet and the piano for some years. I enjoyed playing these two instruments, but eventually I decided to focus on my string instruments. These days I wonder how it would feel to play trumpet in the orchestra, especially the loud parts of a symphony!

One of my favourite activities is skiing. I do both down-hill and cross-country since I was young. I wouldn’t call it a hidden talent, but I really enjoy it!

If you had to pick, what is your favourite piece of orchestral music, and why?

The symphonic works by Stravinsky, Brahms and Mozart will be big favourites of mine through my whole life. But recently I have started to really admire Sergei Rachmaninoff and his orchestral pieces. I find the Symphonic Dances, the three symphonies and four piano concertos such a joy to both play and listen to. And in my opinion LSO performs Rachmaninoff’s music with such dynamic and energy.

What piece of orchestral music would you recommend to someone who has never heard an orchestra before, and why?

Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov. This piece is full of expression, beautiful melodies, rich harmony and lively rhythm. It is based on literature, so the music is describing a story which I think is a good thing for a new listener. I think the orchestration by Rimsky-Korsakov is fantastic, all the sections in the orchestra gets to shine. There are also a lot of virtuosic soloes from many of the wind instruments, and the concertmaster becomes the role as Scheherazade, having several big solo cadences throughout all the movements.

Does your instrument have an interesting story or history behind it?

I am very fortunate to be playing on the Andrea Guarneri ‘Conte Vitale’ viola dating all the way back to 1676. The instrument received its name since Conte Vitale who was the first owner. The ‘Conte Vitale’ is regarded as one of the first modern tenor violas, so many violin makers today make copies or find inspiration from this instrument. After playing on this instrument for two years I find that it has a noble character in the sound. But there are still many sound colours that I still discover on the instrument, and I feel very lucky to have this instrument as my companion on stage. I have this viola generously on loan from Dextra Musica.