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Thor S. Sigurdson

BIO:

See why Chicago Classical Review has recently called Sigurdson's cello playing "red-hot"! Once he takes the stage, there's nothing an audience can do to avoid being captured by his remarkable presence.

An alum of the internationally-renowned New World Symphony in Miami, Sigurdson went on to a successful 13-year tenure as Principal Cellist of the Florida Philharmonic. An avid teacher, he has always dedicated his time outside of performing to training young cellists.

Sigurdson is a veteran recording artist, appearing on several Grammy-nominated CDs. But to understand the effect he has over an audience, one must be there to experience the palpable energy he generates through his cello.

His vast solo repertoire with orchestra covers several musical styles and periods. Whatever instrumentation an orchestra is using for a given program, Sigurdson is prepared to use it to create an unforgettable solo interlude. From Dvorak to Shostakovich, from Vivaldi to Haydn, he has the perfect cello piece to complement any program theme.

In addition to his commanding presence in front of an audience, Sigurdson is also a passionate educator. At no additional cost, he's pleased to offer local students electrifying master classes and educational chamber music collaborations. Student participants will never forget their opportunity to play alongside such a friendly and encouraging master cellist.

Among the final pupils of the legendary Leonard Rose, Sigurdson is a proud graduate of The Juilliard School, where his string quartet worked closely with founding Juilliard Quartet members Robert Mann and Joel Krosnick. Along with the stellar Juilliard-trained pianist (and fellow PRP artist) Steven Graff, Sigurdson traveled to Japan as a finalist in the prestigious Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. His chamber music collaborations have also been featured throughout the US, at both Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, on WQXR and WFMT, and at Italy’s renowned Spoleto Festival.

Lastly, Sigurdson is an experienced solo recitalist. From beloved Brahms and Beethoven sonatas, to riveting modern masterpieces by Carter and Martinu, Sigurdson has a unique ability to connect with audiences of all ages and interest levels. With his lighthearted and engaging manner, he takes time to set listeners at ease. Audiences consistently rave about how he personalizes every moment of a performance, making one feel like they’ve gained intimate access into his obvious love of music. And he is always among the last ones to leave his post-concert receptions.

In addition to his Juilliard degree, Sigurdson is proud to have earned an MBA from The University of Chicago. Thus he’s able to offer audiences (both live and through his radio and TV appearances) a unique perspective on the future of classical music from the point of view of a successful business professional. He strongly believes that today’s performing artists and concert managers must be willing to utilize innovative marketing techniques to incentivize businesses into collaborating more with music organizations. Doing so offers businesses direct access to highly profitable segments of the public they’d otherwise be missing, – and arts organizations (including yours) will build more diverse and vibrant audiences for classical music.

Featuring Thor S. Sigurdson on concerts and educational events comes with a wealth of benefits: his electrifying performances, his uncanny ability to reach young people, and his passion for bridge building between the arts and the business world. See for yourself what a difference he’ll make for your organization. You won’t be disappointed!

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PRESS:

“Cellist Thor S. Sigurdson should be singled out for his evocative, firm, poised playing.”
-The New York Times, Will Crutchfield

“Western Spring's resident Thor S. Sigurdson's rich and full cello gave us Bach's Suite No. 6 in D Major.”
-Chicago Tribune, Nancy Hirsch

"Sigurdson is a dynamic player. He carves out phrases passionately. His technique is more than respectable; his tone is juicy."
-Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, Tim Smith

"Sigurdson interpretó Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, logrando una extraordinaria fusión con la música, que le permitió transmitir al público sus sentimientos y su notable sensibilidad musical."
(Sigurdson interpreted Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, achieving an extraordinary fusion with the music, which allowed him to convey to the public his emotions and his remarkable musical sensitivity.)
-Viva Semanal (Miami), Bianca Ardizones

“My only reservation about the evening was that we didn’t hear enough of the playing of Mr. Sigurdson. His work here in the past has always had an extraordinary musicality to it, in his sound, his phrasing, and particularly in the elegant finesse of his most intricately detailed bow strokes, so that it has always been a delight to hear him play.”
-Key West Citizen, Harry Schroeder

"Sigurdson’s skillful technique, lovely tone, and obvious musicality brought out the beauty of the melodic Haydn work."
-Hinsdale Doings (Chicago), Elise Parsons

"Sigurdson’s opening cello solo was ravishing in its tonal beauty and musicality."
-Coral Gables Gazette (Miami), Lawrence Budmen

“The lovely cello solo [in the Poet and Peasant Overture] was delivered with rich-toned authority by Thor S. Sigurdson.”
-Music and Vision Online Magazine, Lawrence Budmen

"Listeners who’d lost the [Mendelssohn] octet's line of logic or feeling need only glance at cellist Thor S. Sigurdson for a moment and study his eloquent face and body language as he interacted mentally with the other musicians to put us right back on track."
-The Miami News, John Eldridge

“A true highlight of the evening was cellist Thor S. Sigurdson. Stunning, accurate, and stylistically correct are only some appropriate adjectives to describe this beautiful performance.”
-Daytona Beach News-Journal, Paul Langston

“Sigurdson’s performance of Martinů’s Second Cello Sonata was red-hot. He effortlessly pivoted from sweeping passion to skipping fleet-footedness, bringing out the first movement’s emotive shifts without sounding disjunct. The Largo that followed is superficially tranquil, yet Sigurdson’s interpretation bristled with a tension that never quite let up until the sigh-like final note, which Sigurdson sustained at length in a hyper-controlled, single bow stroke.”
-Chicago Classical Review, Hannah Edgar

"Sigurdson's disciplined but evocative musicianship was a model of how to play the cello."
-KeysNews.com, Harry Schroeder

MORE INFORMATION:

Biography

Press

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