Kristine Blaumane

Kristina Blaumane is a world-renowned cellist known for her natural musicianship; unique “singing-like” sound and interpretations of such power that leave listener in complete awe.

She has been a guest at many prestigious international festivals such as Verbier, Lockenhaus, Gstaad, Salzburg, Utrecht, Basel, Jerusalem, Cheltenham, Aldeburgh, Homecoming and Crescendo festivals in Russia. Kristina has performed chamber music with such artists as Isaac Stern, Gidon Kremer, Yo Yo Ma, Yuri Bashmet, Leiv Ove Andsnes, Mischa Maisky, Julian Rachlin, Janine Jansen, Bruno Giuranna, Nikolaj Znaider, Tatyana Grindenko, Oleg Maisenberg and others.

Kristina was born in Riga into a family of musicians. After graduating from Latvian Academy of Music where she studied with Eleonora Testeleca, Kristina moved to England and studied with Stefan Popov at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Educated in the best traditions of Latvian and British schools she became a winner of many prestigious competitions and awards including Latvian Philharmonic Young Musician of the Year, Latvian Television Competition “Alternativa”, Carmel International Competition, Musicians Benevolent Fund and Lord Mayor's Prize.

In 2005, Kristina became a laureate of the Great Music Award, the highest prize given by the Latvian State in the field of music.

She is now enjoying busy career giving recitals and performing with orchestras such as the Chicago Civic Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Kremerata Baltica, Britten Sinfonia, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera Orchestra, Riga Chamber Players and Netherlands Wind Ensemble.

Together with the violinist Roman Mints and violist Maxim Rysanov Kristina established the ASCH Trio, which performs in the UK and abroad including London's Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room.

This season Kristina will be releasing her debut recital CD with Russian pianist Yakov Katsnelson for the Quarts Label. The album will comprise of sonatas by Barber, Grieg and rarely played Variations on a Slavic theme by Martinu.

At the age of 22 Kristina was appointed to be a principal cellist in Amsterdam Sinfonietta. She also regularly appears as a guest leader with Kremerata Baltica. She has recorded for Connifer Classics, Quartz as well as BBC, Dutch, Israeli, Russian and Latvian Radio and TV.