Fredrik received his first musical instruction on the violin at age four from his father, a well-known violinist and pedagogue, and later continued his violin studies with Leo Berlin and David Takeno. He made his solo-debut with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1996 and was subsequently invited as soloist in orchestras all over Europe. Fredrik’s pronounced interest in contemporary music has resulted in the commissioning of several new pieces, some of which he has recorded for the CD Cordes sur bois - a Swedish Grammy Award Nominee in 2005.

Fredrik Burstedt is considered one of Scandinavia’s leading concert masters and holds the title in Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra since 2001. He has also worked regularly with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra since 1999, and as concert master and principal player worked closely with renowned conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Gustavo Dudamel and Daniel Harding. In 2005 he played for the first time at the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, the handpicked orchestra consisting of the absolute elite of international orchestra musicians.

In the very start of his conducting career Fredrik Burstedt was awarded the first Sixten Ehrling Prize for Young Conductors 2006. Since then he has been a student of Jorma Panula, but also studied with Alan Gilbert, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Daniel Harding and Stefan Solyom among others. In 2012 Fredrik was awarded the prestigious Herbert Blomstedt Prize by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. The Prize was established as a birthday gift to Herbert Blomstedt on his 80th birthday and is awarded every 2nd year to a young conductor with clear prospects of a brilliant career ahead.

In 2017 Fredrik won the Swedish Grammy award for the recording of the portrait album of composer Mats Larsson Gothe with Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra and Västerås sinfonietta.

Fredrik enjoys accompanying singers and instrumentalists alike and has worked with prominent soloists from all over the world, as well as Opera and Dance companies. In the past years Fredrik has become a regular guest with many of the Nordic symphony orchestras like the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, the Nordic Chamber Orchestra, Gävle Symphony Orchestra and Västerås Sinfonietta among others. He has also performed as guest conductor in Italy, Greece, Germany and South Africa.

Since 2015 Fredrik is a returning conductor of Vattnäs Opera, privately build and run by world-renowned singer Anna Larsson, and in 2017 he will return for the third year to conduct the world premiere of the opera ”The War of Love”. Season 2016/2017 holds numerous re-invitations in Sweden and abroad, and in addition he will make his debut at the Stockholm Opera where he will conduct Franz Lehars ”Die Lustige Witwe”.

Markus Falkbring has studied at Malmö Academy of Music with Josef Kodoúšek and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London with John Glickman.

He is the viola principal of Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra since 1997 and has performed as soloist with his orchestra in concertos by Béla Bartók, W A Mozart och J S Bach. He has also worked with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

Markus is the viola player of Van der Pals String Quartet which is based in southern Sweden but appears in several other European countries as well. He is also a member of contemporary music group Ensemble Ars Nova, Malmö, with whom he appears on several recordings.

Markus has also taught viola, chamber music and orchestra studies at Malmö Academy of Music between 2003-2011.

Tobias van der Pals began his studies with Professor Morten Zeuthen at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in 1999. After his diploma in Copenhagen 2004, Tobias continued his studies with Professor Frans Helmersson, Professor Johannes Goritzki and Professor David Strange at Royal Academy of Music, London and Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow. At graduation from Royal Academy of Music, Tobias recieved the highest mark and was also awarded the “DipRAM“ for outstanding soloistic performance.

In 2009 Tobias gave his debut concert from Prof. Morten Zeuthen soloist class at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

Skanska Dagbladet wrote: His technique is not only perfect but directly elegant. Breathtakingly difficult passages sounds with the same ease as the simplest tone combinations. A magnificently virtuosic piece like Astor Piazzolas Le Grand Tango becomes a witty, light-hearted divertissement. It never rasps from Tobias van der Pals cello, and not for a moment he compromises with the natural, beautiful tone of his instrument.

Tobias has performed as soloist with orchestras, in recitals and as a chamber musician in Japan, China, Britain, Switzerland, Portugal and Scandinavia with great reviews in the press. Tobias concerts have been recorded and transmitted by the Danish Radio, Swedish Radio and the BBC, and he has also participated in a number of CD-recordings.

Tobias has won prizes in chamber music and cello competitions in London and Copenhagen as well as rst prize in the Royal Danish Academy of Music Cello Competition in 2008. In 2005, Tobias was assigned the City of Lund “Cultural Scholarship“. Tobias has also received honors and awards from among others, Augustinus Fonden, Crafoord Foundation, Färs och Frosta Sparbank, Danmarks Nationalbank Jubilæumsfond af 1967, Becket Fonden, Fondation Idella and Solistforeningen af 1921.

At masterclasses Tobias has received tutoring from Ralph Kirshbaum, Miklos Perenyi, Colin Carr, Thorleif Thedéen, Steven Doane, Christo Henkel, Marrti Rousi, Mats Lidstrom, Sergei Roldugin and others. In 2011 Tobias van der Pals released his rst solo album “Leopold van der Pals – Works for Cello and Piano“. The CD was hailed by the international music press.

The Cello Sonata announces itself, with no special pleading needed, as a masterpiece and a major addition to the cello repertoire. [... ] It has been brought to light by Tobias van der Pals in this stunning performance [... ] His technical execution and tonal luster are as one as he brings to each of these works expressive insights and profound passion. [... ] However you manage to get your hands on it, this release is essential. (Fanfare Magzine, USA)

Tobias van der Pals und Cathrine Penderup sind hervorragende Vertreter ihres Fachs, die der Musik in jeder Hin- sicht gerecht werden. Es wäre eine echte Bereicherung, die Künstler in Konzerten und in weiteren Einspielungen erleben zu können. (Das Orchester, DE)

Tobias van der Pals plays on a cello from Modena made by the brothers Andrea and Gaetano Fiori in 1817. Bow by Pierre Simon circa 1850.