Axel Sjöstedt

Small, but meaningful events were critical to Axel Sjöstedt becoming a musician:

− The first was simply that I was given a trumpet. Later we moved to a town where the Culture School was free, so most children started to play an instrument. Then we moved to a town which had a fantastic high school music programme, and thereafter there was only one way which meant something to me, and that was to be a professional trumpet player.

− I often have to pinch myself in the arm

One musician has meant more to him than anyone else:

− Wynton Marsalis is my great idol, and I have a tattoo of him on my arm − as well as notes from the English horn solo in Dvorak´s Ninth symphony “From the New World”

Axel was engaged by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2012.

− I look forward every day to playing with my fantastic colleagues and my trumpet section. It´s also a great happiness to have a position in such a large orchestra and get to play all the great works with fantastic conductors. It’s a dream come true, and I often have to pinch myself in the arm.

− Felt like royalty

His greatest experience to date was on tour with the orchestra:

− I thought the tour to Japan in 2014 was really fantastic. What a country, what cities, environments and halls! One felt like royalty, we were taken care of so well.

Second symphonies are high on Axel’s list when summing up his orchestral favourites:

− I have many favourite works, of which Sibelius’ Second symphony is high on the list. Mahler’s Second and Brahms’ Second are also up there.

When Axel isn’t playing, he exercises a lot.

− I love cycling far out into the country among the fjords, mountains and wildlife. Swimming in the middle of a big lake is pure meditation for me.