The Norwegian violist Eivind Ringstad (b. 1994) is a soloist and chamber musician acknowledged for his great musicianship and profound technical mastery. Acclaimed for his expressive richness and emotional intimacy, he performs not only the instruments core repertoire, but takes initiative to create and perform new transcriptions of virtuoso showpieces, and continually commissioning contemporary works for the viola. Ringstad started playing the violin at the age of 5, moving to the viola as his main instrument nine years later. He studied at Barratt Due Music Institute in Oslo, Norway with Soon-Mi Chung. His breakthrough was in 2012 after winning the Eurovision Young Musician, and only year later made his debut with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2016, he was awarded the Borletti-Buitoni Fellowship and appointed a BBC New Generation Artist. His first recording Walton / Sinding for Lawo Classics with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Joshua Weilerstein and Arvid Engegard claimed praise from critics and audience alike. In Fall 2020, Ringstad releases his second disc for Rubicon Classics, with German pianist David Meier. He has collaborated with renowned musicians such as Janine Jansen , Steven Isserlis, Beatrice Rana and Leif Ove Andsnes in numerous international chamber music festivals. Ringstad performs on the Guadagnini “ex-Vieuxtemps” viola dating from 1768, kindly on loan from Dextra Musica. Artist photos: Anna-Julia Granberg, Nikolaj Lund