Meet the Musicians: Kaja Marie Andersen
interview
L
Live Klassisk3 min read|20. September 2024
Welcome to our interview relay with musicians from the classical music scene! Today we have the pleasure of presenting Kaja Marie Andersen. She works as principal flautist in Aalborg Symfoniorkester. Here he shares his thoughts on classical music and recommends upcoming concerts for both new and experienced concertgoers!
Name, instrument and profession?
Kaja Marie Andersen, 1st principal flautist in Aalborg Symfoniorkester.
What are you working on at the moment?
Aalborg Kammermusikfestival! It is being held for the first time here now this weekend, and I am a co-founder! Looking forward to it, and I am really excited.
Most overrated composer or work?
Oh, that's a hard one. I feel that no matter what you answer here, it's wrong. But we have played the overture to “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” probably 10 times since I started in my job a little over two years ago. I don't know whether it is generally an overrated work, but it certainly is here in Aalborg! Not the most exciting flute part there, I must say...
Your latest big concert experience - what made it so special (either as performer or as audience)?
Lise Davidsen as Salome at the opera in Paris in May was a pretty wild experience that I will not soon forget.
Can you remember a single event or experience that made you want to become a musician?
When I was 13 I played in a three-man orchestra for Oliver Twist, which my local cultural school, Skien Kulturskole, was in charge of. We played intensively for several months with a tour and everything, and I was simply so happy. Made friends for life and realised that it was both possible and very tempting to become a musician.
Do you have any role models? Is there anyone who has been especially motivating or inspiring for you?
Uncle Arild, who was one of the reasons I started playing the flute in the first place. He has been my flute teacher, and he has also always been one of my greatest supporters.
Do you have any advice for “new listeners” who are curious about classical music and don't go to concerts very often?
Give it a chance! Go to a concert and read a little about the works beforehand, then it becomes more interesting, and you are guaranteed to understand so much more!
Are there any upcoming concerts you would like to recommend?
Bartók's Violin Concerto and Symphonie fantastique with Joshua Weilerstein, Ning Feng and Aalborg Symfoniorkester on 10 October in Musikkens Hus. A great programme, which can also be heard later in “Sticky Notes”, the podcast of our chief conductor Joshua Weilerstein!
Name something that not many people know about you?
I have only been on the main stage of the opera in Oslo once. That was to see a concert with Jethro Tull! I don't even like that band...
What do you like to do to relax when you are not playing or practising? Do you have any special hobbies?
I knit! And drink wine. Going to a sauna session the morning after a concert is a good life hack! I am also a keen shopaholic who is constantly trying to have a shopping ban. It's not going so well, I can reveal.
Concert attire: formal or casual?
Formal, without a doubt! I think there is something beautiful about putting on nice clothes and making concerts a very special occasion.
Clapping between movements: for or against?
For! I think it's really liberating when the audience allows itself to!
Finally, who would you like to challenge to take over the baton?
My good friend and the fantastic musician Zach Hatcher, he is always doing something new and exciting!
10. Oct
19:30 | 2024
Musikkens Hus - Koncertsalen
Aalborg
Solist: Ning Feng, violin
,Dirigent: Joshua Weilerstein
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Symphonic
Large ensembles