© Andrea Gjestvang
Mari Samuelsen is a Norwegian violinist. She began playing at age three and studied in Oslo and Zurich. Having collaborated on an album with her brother, cellist Håkon Samuelsen, she released her solo debut “Mari” in 2019. In 2022, she followed up with “Lys”, recording works by female composers from Hildegard von Bingen to Hildur Guðnadóttir. Her third solo album “Life” (2024) featured pieces by Jóhann Jóhannsson, Nils Frahm, Ludivico Einaudi, Hania Rani, Max Richter and Steve Reich.
Norwegian violinist Mari Samuelsen has become well-known for championing contemporary classical music over “dead composers”. As she prepares to release her third album, LIFE, she talks about her career so far, her childhood in Norway, and her new role as the parent of two small children.
