Kenneth Ryland

Kenneth Ryland grew up in Bergen, and it was one of his present colleagues in the orchestra who made him decide to become a musician:

− I have always been interested in music, and have played several different instruments. For the fact that I started playing the double bass and ended up a professional musician I have my first teacher and good colleague Erling Sunnarvik to thank. After a few bass guitar lessons he introduced me to the double bass, and that’s how it all started …

− An endless number of good experiences

Kenneth later studied music at Norges Musikkhøgskole. He has been working in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra since 1992 and also plays in The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.

− Playing with and being inspired by good musicians and colleagues gives me a lot! I have had an endless number of good experiences with the orchestra. The greatest of them all was, I believe, an encore played by the pianist Radu Lupu − a quiet movement from a Mozart sonata.

He draws his own musical inspiration from several genres:

− I like all good music! From Zappa to jazz to classical. Everything has its time and its place. Within symphonic music, Brahms’ symphonies are among of my favourites.

In his free time Kenneth cultivates his great hobbies: dogs and hunting.