Maria Eklund Conductor Country: Sweden

Maria Eklund - Biography

Maria Ekluund is one of the most talented and sought-after conductors of her generation. She received her musical education in Russia and Sweden. From 2001 to 2003, she further perfected her conducting skills as a graduate student at the Moscow Conservatory under the guidance of Professor Gennady Rozhdestvensky. For several years, Maria Eklund underwent internships in conducting courses led by renowned educators from the United States, Switzerland, and Austria, such as Johannes Schlaefli, Jing Wang, and Janos Fürst.

Maria Ekluund regularly performs with the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic, the Russian National Orchestra, the State Academic Symphony Capella of Russia, the Berlin Symphony, the Moscow Symphony Orchestra "Russian Philharmonic," the ensemble "Virtuosos of Stockholm" (where she was the artistic director from 1999 to 2001), the Stockholm Symphony Orchestra, and has conducted performances at the Beijing Opera Theater and the Bolshoi Theater in Russia, as well as the Arena di Verona Opera Festival in Italy. In 2005, Maria Ekluund was the artistic director and conductor of a Swedish business presentation project in Beijing. In 2006, she toured China with the Symphony Orchestra of Russia. From 2005 to 2007, she served as the principal guest conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Russia. Maria Ekluund's repertoire is diverse and includes various works of world classical music and contemporary compositions by European composers.

With the ensemble "Virtuosos of Stockholm" and the Berlin Symphony, she has released several records, some of which have been broadcasted on Deutsche Welle and Orpheus radio. In December 2006, Maria Ekluund made her debut at the Arena di Verona Opera Festival. After a successful debut and enthusiastic reviews, she was invited to lead tours with the orchestra, soloists, and choir of the "Arena di Verona" theater in Moscow in 2007, which were highly successful. In 2008, she actively performed concerts throughout Russia, including Orenburg, Ulyanovsk, Kaluga, Kaliningrad, and the Baltic countries. Maria Ekluund closely collaborates with many renowned and young soloists from Russia, Europe, and Asia. Among them are Nikolai Petrov, Paata Burchuladze, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Mariella Devia, Vincenzo la Scola, Miroslav Kultyshev, Ekaterina Mechetina, Alexander Knyazev, and many others.

Gennady Rozhdestvensky said, "Maria Ekluund's style as a musician is very expressive. Her interpretations are intellectually and emotionally powerful, yet refined. She is capable of establishing a close connection with the orchestra and, through her polished technique combined with personal charisma, motivates the musicians to play brilliantly."

Mikhail Sekler, concertmaster of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, highlighted, "It is worth noting her impressive knowledge of musical material, the connection she establishes with the musicians, and her sincere inspiration throughout the entire concert."

Jing Wang, conductor of "Komiche Opera" in Austria, stated, "She is a vibrant personality with an expressive character, capable of establishing a good emotional connection with the orchestra. Her intellect and deep knowledge of music, history, and literature are evident in the emotional and professional interpretation of any repertoire - from classical to contemporary music."