Elin Rø

Elin Rø thinks the main reason she's a musician today is that she began playing an orchestra instrument.

− It was critical that I very early on had the opportunity to play together with others in an orchestra, she says.

− It was this I thought was fun, and it made me continue to play. When I had the good fortune to land my dream job in the Oslo Philharmonic, then yes − I became a musician!

Learned to read music with Smarties and Hubba Bubba

Elin’s Hungarian grandmother had a big influence on her relationship with music.

− She believed that all children should know solmisation − the do-re-mi-method − so I learned that almost before I learned how to speak. It was she who taught me to read music, with the help of Smarties and Hubba Bubba − I highly recommend this method!

After studies at Barratt Due Music Institute and the Norwegian Academy of Music, Elin was engaged by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2003.

− I have never liked playing alone, but have always loved playing in an orchestra. Being able to go to work every day to play fantastic music with an orchestra like the Oslo Philharmonic − it doesn’t get any better for me!

She thinks the great experiences with the orchestra come frequently, and at very different types of concerts:

− It’s been everything from playing concerts at the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall to playing “Deilig er Jorden” with the audience singing along at the Christmas concerts at home in Oslo.

Especially looks forward to Brahms

If she must choose one composer, it has to be Johannes Brahms:

− I like everything he has written, from the smaller to the larger works. I always have that extra bit of anticipation in those weeks when there is a Brahms symphony on the programme!

Her best tip for enjoying a concert she learned from her Hungarian grandmother:

− She took me to concerts from very early on, also to the Oslo Philharmonic’s concerts. She made sure that I knew the works which were going to be played. This still works for me, so my advice is this: prepare yourself, and listen to the music in advance if possible.