RDAM extends Niklas Sivelöv’s professorship
Niklas Sivelöv has been employed at RDAM since 2000 and was appointed professor and head of the piano department in 2008. He is a highly acclaimed concert pianist, composer, and improviser. His career as a pianist includes performances worldwide, and he has several award-winning recordings to his name. He recently recorded an album of Beethoven's sonatas and another of Beethoven's piano concertos No. 2 & 3 with the Bogotá Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joachim Gustafsson. The former received a 6-heart rating in Politiken's culture section. In 2017, Niklas Sivelöv was knighted with the Order of the Dannebrog.
Niklas Sivelöv is also a prolific composer, having composed works for ensembles and orchestras, including six symphonies and six piano concertos. His upcoming major projects include compositions such as Planet Song of Love for choir and piano, Symphony No. 7, recordings of Bach's complete works, performances of Beethoven’s complete works, and a project featuring all 10 Scriabin sonatas.
He is a sought-after teacher who, in addition to his work at RDAM, has given masterclasses around the world. He has trained a distinguished group of pianists, all of whom have made a strong mark on both the Danish and international music scenes.
Continuing his work at RDAM holds great importance for Niklas Sivelöv. Over many years, he has strived to innovate the piano program through both curricula and projects on topics such as internationalization. His own teaching practice is constantly evolving, and he values the creative and pedagogical challenges that have resulted in students winning international awards as well as those carving out their own niche within the classical tradition, often by merging it with other art forms and genres.
Niklas Sivelöv’s vision for his work at RDAM is to help students, as future musicians, look both forward and backward, using tradition as a tool and springboard to find new expressions and narratives. "Becoming independent and curious about art and music as something that is constantly changing and constantly challenging each generation — also to become better human beings and artists. I believe that instrumental skills are truly vital, but the music itself is the goal," says Niklas Sivelöv.
President Helene Gjerris states
"At RDAM, we place great emphasis on our teachers collectively representing the broadest possible artistic scope at the highest level as both inspirations and role models for students and colleagues. Niklas greatly contributes to fulfilling this ambition with his unique profile.” (Helene Gjerris).
