News Karlsson sisters show that musical talent runs in the family 12.01.2023

Many congratulations to Inez and Isabell Karlsson – who show that musical talent runs in the family – with Inez winning the Polar Star Award Nordic Edition after playing in the final with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and Isabell leading the National Youth Orchestra at concerts up and down the country.

Held in the Gothenburg Concert Hall in Sweden, the Polstjärnepriset (or Polar Star Prize) saw four finalists – four talented young soloists aged 14-18 – perform with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Delyana Lazarova. This was the first Nordic edition of the Polstjärnepriset – and Inez was named as the first ever winner of the competition for her sublime performance of the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations.

The jury’s reasoning reads:
“An elegant musician with an extreme focus and a wonderful sound, with a strong and obvious presence – reaching out to the audience. A young musician that can go wherever she wants with her talent.”

You can watch her performance by clicking here.

As for older sister Isabell, juggling exam preparation while leading the National Youth Orchestra has been no easy feat, but if the reviews from their most recent performances are anything to go by, she has been able to balance both masterfully. Isabell had been part of the National Youth Orchestra in 2022, but this was her first taste as leader since being selected in the summer. Alongside her classmate Josie (oboe and principal cor anglais), she spent the week performing in London, Coventry, Nottingham and Liverpool. The NYO’s first concert with Isabell as leader at the Barbican Centre earned them a five-star review from The Telegraph which you can read here.

If that wasn’t enough, Isabell has also been selected to have a 50-minute recital in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall for their Classical Coffee Mornings. The recital will take place on Sunday 5 March at 11.00am. More details can be found here.