Kristina Blaumane

Latvian cellist Kristina Blaumane is invited to perform as a soloist with orchestras, recitalist and chamber musician around the world. She has performed concertos with London Philharmonic Orchestra (under Vladimir Jurowski, Osmo Vänskä, Thierry Fischer, Michal Dworzynski), Amsterdam Sinfonietta (Lev Markiz, Peter Oundjian), Chicago Civic Orchestra (Andris Nelsons), MDR Symphony Orchestra (Kristjan Järvi), Kremerata Baltica, Britten Sinfonia, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera Orchestra, Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Riga, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Sofia Soloists, Plovdiv Opera Orchestra, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Ensemble Ubertini, Dalarna Sinfonietta and others.

Kristina is a keen chamber musician and has worked in partnership with such renowned artists as Isaac Stern, Gidon Kremer, Yo Yo Ma, Yuri Bashmet, Leiv Ove Andsnes, Maxim Rysanov, Boris Brovtsyn, Roman Mints, Janine Jansen, Michael Collins, Isabelle van Keulen, Julian Rachlin, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Bruno Giuranna, Misha Maisky, Nikolaj Znaider, Tatyana Grindenko, Alina Ibragimova, Katya Apekisheva, Jacob Katsnelson, Oleg Maisenberg among others, and has performed at the festivals such as Lockenhaus, Gstaad, Salzburg, Verbier, Basel, Jerusalem, Amsterdam Cello Biënnale, Utrecht, Spitalfields, Cheltenham, Aldeburgh and Homecoming. Kristina is also a member of Trio Palladio.

Kristina has been an avid promoter of new music. She made a number of world premieres, among them cello concertos by Dobrinka Tabakova, Kristaps Pētersons, Pēteris Plakidis and Artem Vassiliev. Her recording of cello concerto by Dobrinka Tabakova which was released on ECM label reached number 2 in the UK classical charts and did receive a GRAMMY nomination. Besides this CD Kristina has recorded for Bis, ONYX, Harmonia Mundi, Quartz and BMG labels.

Born in Riga, Kristina graduated from Latvian Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She is a winner of many awards including Latvian Philharmonic Young Musician of the Year, Latvian Television competition “Alternativa”, Carmel International Competition, Musicians Benevolent Fund and Lord Mayor’s Prize. Kristina is a two time laureate of Grand Music Award (Lielā Mūzikas Balva), the highest prize given by the Latvian State in the field of music (2005; 2007).

Since 2007 Kristina combines her busy career with a principal cello position in London Philharmonic Orchestra.