Sandra Lied Haga: The Norwegian Cellist Shaping Classical Music’s Future
Sandra Lied Haga
Sandra Lied Haga’s journey as a cellist is a story of early promise, major breakthroughs, and a lifelong pursuit of artistic depth. Born and raised in Norway, she began playing the cello at the age of three, and by four, she was already performing in concerts. Unlike many musicians who spend years in private study before stepping onto a stage, Haga’s career began in the spotlight, playing publicly from a young age. “I can’t remember a life without performing,” she says. “It was always something fun and natural, never complicated or stressful.” But as she grew older, the transition from child prodigy to professional artist presented challenges. “When you’re a child, people celebrate you for simply being there and playing beautifully,” she reflects. “Becoming an adult artist means proving yourself in a different way, and that shift was a significant journey for me.”
Among the defining moments of her career, two major milestones stand out. The first was in 2019, when, at just 24 years old, she was given the opportunity to record two of the most revered works in the cello repertoire: Dvořák’s Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations. “Recording these pieces at such a young age felt both like a dream and a risk,” she admits. “But when I stepped onto that stage in Moscow, I felt completely at peace—I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.” The recording was met with overwhelming critical praise, solidifying her place among the world’s leading cellists. The second defining moment came in early 2023, when she received an unexpected call from violinist Maxim Vengerov, inviting her to perform Brahms’ Double Concerto alongside him at Royal Albert Hall. “It was surreal,” she says. “One moment, I was questioning what was next for me, and the next, I was preparing to perform with one of my heroes in one of the world’s most prestigious venues.” The experience was unforgettable, not only because of the grandeur of the event but because of the joy she found in it. “I thought I would be terrified, but instead, I had the time of my life.”
Haga credits much of her artistic development to Truls Mørk, the Norwegian cellist who became her mentor when she was just 11. “He gave me my musical soul,” she says. Their lessons were unconventional—less about technical exercises and more about sound, intuition, and expression. “It was like a conversation without words. We played, and through that, I learned everything.” Another formative experience came in 2014, when she spent a year performing chamber music alongside pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. “We rehearsed for hours every day in his home, preparing for concerts all over Norway,” she recalls. “It was one of those rare times where music wasn’t just a profession—it was a way of life.”
While she has performed on many of the world’s great stages, her Carnegie Hall debut in November 2024 stands as another unforgettable experience. “I had never even been inside Carnegie Hall before,” she laughs. “But from the moment I walked on stage, I felt something special in the air.” She was particularly struck by the warmth of the New York audience. “There’s so much happening in the city, so many legendary musicians performing every night. I didn’t expect such an intimate connection with the audience, but it was there.” Performing Brahms’ Cello Sonata in F Major, a piece she describes as “her own,” was the highlight of the evening. “It felt like everything aligned in that moment.”
Looking ahead, Haga’s 2025 season includes performances of Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations in some of her favorite venues. While nothing is confirmed yet, she hopes to return to Carnegie Hall soon. “That was just the beginning,” she says. She is also preparing for her third album, though the details are still being finalized. “There are many ideas in the air, and I want to make sure it’s exactly the right project.”
Despite her success, Haga acknowledges the challenges of being a classical musician in today’s industry. “Fifty years ago, things were different. Today, artists have to do so much more themselves—not just performing but also managing, promoting, and constantly staying visible.” For someone who prefers to focus solely on the music, this can be daunting. “I’ve always dreaded the business side of things,” she admits. “But I know it’s something I need to embrace.” She remains deeply committed to bringing classical music to wider audiences, particularly those who may not have had exposure to it. “I was given the gift of music as a child, but so many people never experience it. I want to change that.”
Beyond music, Haga is an adventurer at heart. She has a passion for extreme skiing, mountain climbing, and cold-water swimming—often taking ice plunges in Norwegian fjords. “Musicians think I’m crazy,” she laughs. “But for me, there’s something pure about being in nature. Climbing to the top of a mountain and racing down on skis, or jumping into freezing water—it’s all about feeling alive.” She also possesses an uncanny ability to remember small details about people, recalling conversations from over a decade ago with perfect accuracy. “It’s probably connected to how I memorize music,” she muses.
For Haga, success isn’t about accolades or prestige—it’s about joy and artistic fulfillment. “If I can play on the world’s most beautiful stages, collaborate with incredible musicians, and share this divine music with as many people as possible, then I’ve succeeded,” she says. “Music has the power to heal, to bring people together, to change lives. That’s what I want to be a part of.”
With her boundless energy, deep musical sensitivity, and vision for the future, Sandra Lied Haga is shaping a career that honors the great traditions of classical music while forging her own distinctive path forward.
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