Ellen Margrete Flesjø

Cellist Ellen Margrete Flesjø studied at Østlandets Musikkonservatorium (Oslo) and the Norwegian Academy of Music, and subsequently at the Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest. Her musical education also includes shorter periods of study with some of the world's leading cellists, namely William Pleeth, Frans Helmerson and Antonio Janigro.

Ellen Margrete Flesjø represented Norway in the Eurovision young musicians competition in 1986; that same year she won the first prize and honorary award in the national Sparre Olsen competition in Norway. Not only that, but she also received first prize in the national young string players' competition "Ungdommens Strykemesterskap". The following year she co-founded Grieg Trio, and since then her musical career has largely been devoted to the ensemble with which she has performed all over the world and won many awards.

In addition to performing with her colleagues in Grieg Trio, Ellen Margrete Flesjø has collaborated with leading figures on the international music arena, among them Leonidas Kavakos, Ludmilla Berlinskaya, Kim Kashkashian and the renowned Vogler quartet. Norwegian musical partners have included Leif Ove Andsnes, Hans Christian Bræin and Håvard Gimse. From time to time Ellen Margrete Flesjø has performed solo with Scandinavian orchestras, and appeared as principal cellist with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. From 2004-2009 she was co-artistic director of the Stavanger International Chamber Music Festival together with her colleagues in Grieg Trio.

Text written by August Albertsen