Per-Erik Andersson

Meet the Musicians

I was in sixth grade and had started playing the violin with the Eksjö Orchestra Association. At a concert, we had a French horn soloist who performed one of Mozart’s French horn concertos. I was completely captivated by the French horn and started dreaming of playing that instrument. I played it for a while, along with the piano and trumpet, but eventually decided that the violin was my instrument. When I was little, though, I wanted to be a soccer player.

For me, it’s important that the conductor has musical vision; otherwise, I often just want to cross that concert or opera off my list and move on. Being able to listen to others—literally—is probably the experience I value most; it’s something that’s been of great benefit to me in my role as a musician.

The best part of my job is when I notice that the audience is moved in some way. The connection you often feel with the audience at chamber music concerts in the countryside is special, and it’s something I always carry with me after the concerts. I really enjoy the variety in my work and getting to play different genres.

In addition to my position in the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra, I also perform in various other chamber music and church concerts, such as the Avatarkvartetten with my colleagues from the orchestra. I also conduct the Umeå Musiksällskap.