© Marian Lenhard

Lois Landsverk

Principal viola

After studying in the USA (University of Cincinnati with Donald McInnes and Hatto Beyerle) and at the Salzburg Mozarteum (Thomas Riebl), I fell in love with the orchestral scene in Germany. I was born in America, and after many years in Salzburg, Cologne and Berlin, I feel particularly at home in Bamberg.
I love this beautiful, traditional city with its lively culture and intimate connection to nature, and, of course, the wonderful sound of its orchestra. As a former violinist, I’ve found my quest for the viola’s warmer and darker sound has only really borne fruit in Bamberg. I’m a mother of two and devoted Labrador owner, and my life is happily taken up with frequent touring, plus sports, baking and reading in my spare time.

Lois Landsverk studied first the violin, then the viola, in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA). She continued her studies with Prof. Hatto Beyerle at the Vienna University of Music and with Prof. Thomas Riebl at the Salzburg Mozarteum. After obtaining her concert diploma, Lois Landsverk became solo viola of the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, before taking up the same post in the WDR Cologne Symphony Orchestra. From 1988 to 1992 she was solo viola in the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. She also appeared as soloist with the Berlin Baroque Orchestra, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and Bamberg Symphony, among others. Much sought-after as a chamber musician, she has performed at many concert series and festivals, and has also worked as a coach.

She has been the Bamberg Symphony’s solo viola since 1992.