Sonoko played “live” in the News – NRK

Statoil’s talent stipend in classical music aims to be a door opener for musicians who want to get out in the world. The scholarship is a part of the talent program Tomorrow’s Heroes, which supports talent development within sports, culture and education.

– It is a great honor to receive this award. Not least to be chosen by a jury chaired by Leif Ove Andsnes, ” says Sonoko Miriam Welde.

In the jury’s verdict states inter alia:

– There is a voice in her violin playing, which both fascinates and touches.

WITH the PRICE: Sonoko Miriam Welde together with the head of the jury, Leif Ove Andsnes.

Photo: Eivind Taksrud /Hans Petter Gramer

Started the five-year-old

Sonoko has played the violin since she was five years old, and has its musikkutdanning from Bergen arts school, the Barratt Due institute of Music and the Hochschule für Music “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin.

All nine years old, she performed together with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Through the career she has, among other things, won Nrk’s “Virtuoso” -competition, represented Norway in the Eurovisjonens competition for young musicians, and won the youth music competition three times.

She has, in the course of the year had solistoppdrag from the Norwegian radio orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic orchestra, Bærum Symphony orchestra and Katedralensemblet.

Recently she was taken up in the talent program Crescendo, both as a soloist and as a violinist in the string quartet, Opus 13. Despite her young age she plays regularly at the festivals in Norway and abroad.

TO the FESTIVAL: Sonoko Miriam Welde is to hear several places in Norway the next year.

Photo: Nadia Norskott

A million dollars

Statoil’s talent stipend has been awarded since 1990 and is on one million. 20-year-old has all a plan for what the money is to be used.

– A new fiolinbue is something I need. I already have a good bow, but I need a new one.

It means an expenditure of from 40,000 to up to a few 100 000. Part concerts it may also be possible for.

my dream is to live of the music and develop myself further, ” says Sonoko Miriam Welde.

Already 30. December she gets to hear in Portland, and in may next year guests she the Bergen international Festival.

Statoil’s talent stipend in classical music

• Annual rate with a value of one million.
• the Grant is part of the talent program Heroes of Tomorrow, where Statoil is supporting young performers within sports, culture and education.
• the Payout happens over four years, and the purpose is to help promote and stimulate the recipient’s career and development opportunities internationally.
• the Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 1990 to Leif Ove Andsnes (this year’s jury president), Ole Edvard Antonsen, Truls Mørk and Marianne Thorsen.
• Individual athletes between the ages of 18 and 28 years can receive the grant. The age limit for singers can be up to 32 years.
• In 2012, it was opened for the ensembles, trios and groups with snittalder up to 28 years can be nominated.

(source Statoil)