The clarinet
Troels Torstein
Educated at:
The Funen Conservatory of Music, Odense with Karl Nyhuus Kristoffersen, Kaj Borup, Jens Schou and Elisabeth Sigurdson.
Why did you choose to become a musician?
You don't actually choose to be a musician. Being a musician is a lifestyle that creeps up on you. But of course it starts with you loving the fantastic music you hear - and having a great appetite for your instrument.
Suddenly one day you might discover that this can be used for something - for my own part, I was sold when I started playing in an amateur orchestra in Odense.
What is your greatest experience as a musician?
Over the years, a multitude of wonderful experiences naturally accumulate. You are probably particularly happy with the things you have wanted to do yourself.
Eg. I will never forget when, as a newly minted "Sønderjyde", I was allowed to play Weber's 1st clarinet concerto with John Frandsen. The humility and respect for the task that Frandsen had really stays in one's consciousness.
Seen from my place in the orchestra, there is also an ocean of wonderful things to remember, but if I had to stick to the conductors - then I must mention Dimitri Kitajenko with Brahms's 2nd symphony. It wasn't too bad!
A little about yourself
Southern Jutland is a lovely part of the country, and the nature is quite unique - it fascinates me a lot. In addition, you experience history as something very present everywhere you move in the region.
History has always had my attention - if it hadn't become music, it could very well have become history that I had thrown myself into.
When I'm not going out wearing a clarinet, I also like to have binoculars around my neck.
Birds are my great interest, so I have to keep an eye on them too - I think I have too little time to attend the Ornithological Association trips, but then you can always try to make the birds feel welcome in the garden.