Toril Syrrist-Gelgota

It was a concert experience which made Toril Syrrist-Gelgota want to play herself:

− I happened to be at an orchestra concert when I was twelve, and was gripped by the beautiful music! As a consequence, I started playing, and I knew immediately that it was the way to go.

She later studied cello in Oslo and Vilnius.

− I was lucky enough to have very good teachers. My first teacher was Bettecke Groot from the Netherlands. She was demanding, friendly, funny and dedicated. While in high school, I also studied at Barratt Due Music Institute with Natasha Brofsky. She's a wonderful person and a marvellous cellist. Later, I studied with Aage Kvalbein, a great musician. My last few years as a student, I had Truls Mørk as my teacher, one of the greatest musicians in the world ... that was fantastic!

− A dream come true

Toril was engaged by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2001 and has experienced many highlights with the orchestra, but one occasion stands out:

− The very first time I played with the orchestra was very special. Playing in the Oslo Philharmonic was a dream come true! There is so much great music, and I am so lucky to be a part of it and to experience it so intensely. We have a fantastic repertoire, and my tendency is to particularly enjoy what we are playing at that moment. Right now we are playing Sibelius, and I find myself thinking: What a composer!

When she is in the audience herself, Toril usually likes to have listened to the music in advance.

− Then you have a better chance of noticing the interpretation and the details. Still, sometimes it´s a fantastic thing to experience a work for the first time at a concert!

In addition to her work in the orchestra, she frequently plays chamber music in Duo Oktava with her husband Povilas Syrrist-Gelgota, who usually plays the viola in the Oslo Philharmonic.

When Toril isn´t playing, she spends time with her family.