Linda Brava

Linda Lampenius

Linda Lampenius performing in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2009
Background information
Birth name Linda Magdalena Lampenius
Also known as Linda Brava
Born 26 February 1970
Origin Helsinki, Finland
Genres Classical, Rock, Pop, Folk, Celtic, Christmas, Jazz
Occupation(s) Soloist
Instruments Violin
Years active 1977–present
Labels Linda Lampenius Productions
Website LindaLampenius.com

Linda Magdalena Lampenius Cullberg,[1] better known by her maiden name Linda Lampenius and international stage name Linda Brava, (born 26 February 1970) is a Finnish classical concert violinist and recording artist.[2]

Background

Brava was born into a Swedish-speaking Finnish family in which music formed a vital part of life. Her father, Börje Lampenius, is a former theatre director, actor, singer and also a composer of musicals and operettas. Her mother, Ulla Eklund, is a former actress and singer. Both of them worked primarily at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki, but also on TV and films.

At age 3, Brava started to perform with her parents as a singer. Later on, Brava played the violin accompanied by her father on the piano, while her mother sang, in addition to her solo and orchestral performances.[2] In 1978, Vasabladet reported on Brava, a child violinist to remember, after her impressive solo concert appearance.

After leaving Finland in 1997, Brava has lived in Los Angeles, London and Stockholm. She is married to Martin Cullberg, a Swedish lawyer and partner in the Leif Silbersky law firm,[3] and they have two daughter, Olivia, born on 26 February 2009, and Cecilia, born in January 2013. Brava's parents-in-law are professor Johan Cullberg and psychotherapist Marta Cullberg Weston.[4]

Early years as a child prodigy

Brava played several instruments in a musical kindergarten, but focused on the violin at age 5, under the guidance of Géza Szilvay, the developer of the Colourstrings Method. Brava's career began as a soloist of the Helsinki Strings at age 7 with players two and even three times her age.[2][5]

Through her childhood, Brava toured all around the world, giving concerts in London, New York, Tokyo and others. As a child prodigy, she also appeared on Finnish TV numerous times as part of the artistic-educational TV series Minifiddlers in Musicland on YLE.[2][6]

In fairly rapid succession, Brava was awarded a scholarship by the Swedish Cultural Foundation for being such a promising young violinist,[7] became Concertmistress of the Helsinki Strings and performed as a soloist of the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Finland at the age of 11.[2][8] Around the same time, she was also selected for solo roles in national orchestras touring among others in England.[9]

Education and orchestral work

Brava studied at the Sibelius Academy in Finland from 1985 to 1997, first at the Junior Academy and then at the university level in the Department of Soloists. She was one of the first students to get in based only on their audition performances.[2] Brava studied the violin, music theory and history, pedagogy and opera singing,[10] having her own violin students as well. She also played in chamber ensembles, and her Ofelia quartet was chosen to perform at final concert of the master class by the Amadeus Quartet.[2]

Still a student, Brava acquired substantial orchestral experience. From 1990 through 1997, she served as leader in the Orchestra of the Conducting Class, taught by professors Jorma Panula and Eri Klas. She also served as leader of the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra on various occasions, and for three years, she played the 1st violin in the Finnish National Opera Orchestra, before embarking on a solo career.[11]

In addition to the Sibelius Academy, Brava has also studied with professors Mauricio Fuks[12] and Eduard Schmieder[2] in the USA as well as taken part in master classes in France and Israel, including Shlomo Mintz's Keshet Eilon Violin Programme, studying with Shmuel Ashkenasi.[13][14] Lajos Garam, former leader of the Department of Soloists at the Sibelius Academy, has said that Brava "is a sensitive artistic type and very skillful and experienced as a musician. Her playing is high-quality and full-blooded".[11] For conductor Atso Almila "it was self-evident that she was going to be one of the most notable Finnish violinists."[15] Violinist and pedagogue Päivyt Meller has stated that "Linda is very multiply gifted. She has aberrantly lots of capability of expression, strength and artistry and her playing is technically on quite a high level",[11] while violinist and conductor Ari Angervo has said that Brava "just wanted to learn to play as well as possible, to go as deep as possible into music. To my mind she has succeeded in that. Linda is top talented as a violinist."[16] Furthermore, professor Mauricio Fuks has said that "she has a talent for learning and absorbing new things very quickly – Linda is very talented and takes her playing seriously – I am very happy getting to work with a person this sweet. We have been working daily and her playing keeps improving all the time. I would describe Linda as a natural talent, who is at home with the violin."[12]

Musical career

Classical music

Brava has performed chamber music all around Europe, Asia and the USA,[10] working with various pianists, including Timo Koskinen,[2] Folke Gräsbeck,[17] Laura Mikkola,[18] Carina E. Nilsson,[19] Linn Hendry[20] and John Lenehan.[21] Brava has also made many solo orchestral appearances. In addition to Finnish and Swedish city orchestras,[22][23][24] she has played with La Scala Opera Orchestra[25] and toured with a Prague Symphony Orchestra, which was formed by musicians from two of the biggest classical orchestras in Prague, including the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.[26] "She captivated the audience at the Ulriksdal Palace park with passion – The harmonics, the left- and right-hand pizzicato, the ardour in tone, the double stops – it was all there", wrote Svenska Dagbladet on her performance of Maurice Ravel's Tzigane with the Stockholm Sinfonietta.[27] Brava has also appeared as a soloist of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales[2] and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.[28] In addition to headlining music festivals with José Carreras[29] and Kevin Kenner,[30] Brava has also toured with Paul Potts[31] and performed with Andrea Griminelli.[2]

Brava has been living in Sweden since 2002. Her first major concert tours in the country occurred a few years later. The outcome was successful as critics raved her talent and she managed to break into the Swedish music scene. "She has been described as a super violinist with Playboy attraction. When Linda Lampenius takes the stage in light blue coverings it is completely without prima donna behaviour. With total stage presence and a bewitched violin she enchants the ears already from the start and there seems to be no end to the applause after the entrance performance" wrote Dalarnas Tidningar[32] while Göteborgs-Posten reported how Brava's "music potpourri became a display in virtuoso violin playing" and that "she is undeniably a gifted musician with dazzling technique and a big amount of charm".[33] Brava has since participated in various concert tours and given concerts all around the country, performing among others with pianist Robert Wells,[34] soprano Hannah Holgersson[35] and harpist Monica Ramos.[36]

In addition to Sweden, Brava has continued performing internationally as well. Some of the special appearances include performances for the NATO troops in Kosovo,[37] the Rhapsody in Rock show at the Royal Albert Hall in London[38] and violin concerts in Astana, Kazakhstan,[39] Irkutsk, Siberia,[40] and the Cannes Film Festival.[41] Brava also performs in corporate events on a regular basis, both in the Nordic countries and elsewhere.

In 2010, Brava performed in the last concert of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Concert Series, playing works by Turlough Carolan, Michael William Balfe, and Michael McGlynn.[28][42] She also appeared as a soloist of the Royal Swedish Chamber Orchestra in the grand finale concert of the 40th Annual Royal Palace Music Festival at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.[43][44] In 2011, Brava toured as a soloist of the Schoenbrunn Palace Orchestra Vienna,[4][45] performing in New Year's Concerts all around the Nordic countries, appearing in venues such as the Stockholm Concert Hall and Finlandia Hall.[46]

With her 1781 Gagliano violin, worth around €200,000,[47][48] Brava has performed many times for head of states and royals, including the President of Finland,[49] Prince of Monaco and the Royal Family of Sweden.[16] Brava has also played for various European and American politicians, including the United States Secretary of Defense William Perry,[50] and for some of the Nobel Prize laureates on the Arctic Circle.[51] During the years, Brava has also performed in numerous benefit concerts, in order to help contribute funds for different charities, including for several children's hospitals in Finland.[2][52] She has also played the violin at the 150th Anniversary Gala Concert of the Queen Silvia Children's Hospital in Sweden[53] and on behalf of Unicef during the White Turf celebrations on the frozen Lake St. Moritz in Switzerland.[54] Additionally, Brava has also performed in gala concerts for the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation.[55][56]

Other music

Pop and rock music

Known as a promising classical violinist, Brava was asked to appear on a Finnish television talk show and play a pop version of Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata and Fugue in fall 1996. Brava agreed and was offered a recording contract for pop music with a Finnish record label soon after.[2][57]

Brava's debut album, Linda Lampenius, was released only in Finland, but immediately got international attention as well. After seeing a documentary about her on British TV and tracking her musical pedigree, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber invited Brava to take the lead within Metal Philharmonic, and she performed the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Jim Steinman symphony together with an orchestra, a choir, a band and a group of dancers at the 23rd Sydmonton Festival. The collaboration between Brava and Lloyd Webber meant a significant media exposure for her especially in Europe, including the cover story of The Sunday Times Culture supplement.[2][9] Thereafter, Brava became known as the Bach Babe in the United Kingdom tabloids,[58] and The Sun ran a front page article on her, rating her above Vanessa-Mae with a headline "Vanessa Mae, Linda does".[59]

Brava made some pop rock appearances around Europe and the USA, including televised performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. While living in England, Brava studied, played and recorded pop rock music with Dave Gregory (the lead guitarist for XTC), Chris Blackwell (drummer for Robert Plant) and Charlie Jones (bass player for Robert Plant and Jimmy Page), under the guidance of Craig Leon (producer for The Ramones and Blondie), in addition to having her own pop rock band Violators.[2] She also worked with Ofra Haza, with whom she recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Their song "Tarab" is the last recording of Haza, who died soon after.[60][61]

In 2003, Brava starred in her own variety show Fantastix in a Stockholm theatre. The show included her violin playing, acting, dancing and fire eating.[62] Brava has since performed among others with singers Sofia Källgren,[63] Pernilla Wahlgren[64] and LaGaylia Frazier,[65] in addition to playing with rock and heavy metal bands like Takida[66] and Mustasch.[67] In 2008, Brava was one of the leading soloists of the 10th anniversary tour of the Rhapsody in Rock spectacle, which has been staged all around the world, and she was titled as the best artist of the tour, "who awes as usual", by Aftonbladet, the biggest daily newspaper in Scandinavia.[34]

Over the years, Brava has also performed in various sports events. She has played in national basketball, football and ice hockey matches in Finland and Sweden,[2] twice at the ATP Champions event at the Royal Albert Hall in London (televised by the BBC and Eurosport)[68][69] and for Formula One people in Monaco[2] and Monza.[70] In Moscow, Brava has played for Ferrari and Maserati,[71] and for the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships in Prague, Brava recorded Tre Kronor (Slå Oss Om Ni Kan), the official song for the Swedish National Ice Hockey Team. In the Ericsson Globe, Brava has opened up different televised sports events, including K-1 galas,[72] the 2008 GE Galan,[73] and the 2012 Swedish Sports Gala.[74]

Brava has also worked as a session musician, playing the violin on Celine Dion's album Taking Chances and Sami singer Yana Mangi's album Earth Shadow, which was produced by Kee Marcello and released in 2010, among many others.[75]

World music

Brava started collaborating with the Irish choral group Anúna in 2006. Their award-winning music special on PBS was broadcast on over 250 TV stations in the USA, starting in 2007, and it is also available on DVD.[76][77] Brava also took part in Anúna's 2007 concert tour across the USA, including concert halls in nearly 40 cities, and the Celtic Origins album became North America's Bestselling World Music CD for five consecutive weeks, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[78][79][80]

As of 2012, Brava has performed with Anúna in concerts in Ireland and Sweden as well. They appeared in the last concert of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Concert Series in 2010,[28][42] and performed in Christmas concerts in Sweden in 2011.[81]

Christmas music

Brava has performed in numerous Christmas concerts over the years, most notably headlining Sweden's original Christmas tour Julkonserten both in 2004 and 2008, touring in concert halls and arenas all around the country.[82] She has also headlined Christmas concerts in Finland, performing at Borgå Cathedral[83][84] and Temple Rock Church[85] among others.

Jazz

Together with Jeff Goldblum, Brava has played and performed jazz music in Los Angeles,[2][86] in addition to her other jazz performances in New York[87] and Stockholm.[88]

Solo albums

Linda Lampenius

Brava's pop album Linda Lampenius, which peaked at number 8 on the Finnish Top Album Chart,[89] was released in 1997. Although the album was released only in Finland, Brava's single "Violator"/"Toccata and Fugue" got international attention: "Pammi lookalike's great on her Bach" stated the Daily Mirror[90] and the Daily Record wrote that "just when interest in violin music was toning down along comes Linda Lampenius – the fiddling Finn has taken a major bow – she is already a sensation with her version of Bach's Toccata and Fugue".[91] Also The Sunday Times reported how Brava "has enjoyed huge success in Scandinavia with an up-tempo version of Bach's Toccata and Fugue".[92] Brava has performed material from the album in Finland and abroad, including Sporting Club in Monaco and televised performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.[2]

Linda Brava

Brava was offered a recording contract by EMI in 1997,[93][94] and she worked under the EMI Classics label from 1998 to 2002.[95][96] In 1998, Brava started recording her first classical album with John Lenehan at Abbey Road Studios in London, and the Linda Brava album was released worldwide in 1999, the tracklisting including Edvard Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor as well as lyrical violin miniatures by Edward Elgar, Gabriel Fauré, Jean Sibelius, Johann Sebastian Bach-Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, Niccolò Paganini and Fritz Kreisler. The album peaked at number 14 on the UK Classical Chart,[97] and Brava became the biggest selling Finnish classical artist at the time.[98]

Gramophone described the album as "a delightful recital – played with such warmth, and an eloquent simplicity of line, that the ear is instantly beguiled – a welcome collection".[99] Classic FM Magazine dedicated its cover story for "Linda Brava, Finland's violin sensation", and wrote that she plays "with a pleasant, honeyed tone – making the most of her golden-voiced 1781 Galliano violin – and an unaffected grace that will surely win her many friends".[6] Composer and critic Paul Turok of Turok's Choice thought "the high point of her fine recital disc with pianist John Lenehan is a strong reading of Grieg's Sonata"[100] while the Evening Standard wrote "her best playing comes in the three short pieces by her countryman Sibelius: the skittish Rondino extracts her quickest fingerwork, the Humoreske Op.87 No.1 wins her most tortured expression and the Romance Op.78 No.2 sings under her confident touch".[101] Classic FM UK played music from the album on a daily basis for several weeks, and it was also noted positively by BBC Radio 3[102] and ABC Classic FM Australia.[103]

With the album release, Brava appeared in various newspapers, magazines and TV and radio shows all around Europe and the Far East,[104][105] being featured on the poster on the back of a red double-decker bus driving on Oxford Street in London as well.[20] Brava's music video for "Ave Maria" was seen on Classic FM TV, and it was also featured in the first edition of Classic FM [2003] DVD.[106] Nowadays, Brava's music video can be seen on C Music TV, which included the video in its August Highlights 2010.[107]

Nordic Light

Brava's third album Nordic Light was released in the Nordic countries in 2005 and re-released in Sweden in 2008, peaking at number 12 on the Swedish Top Album Chart. The album is a collection of folk melodies from Finland and Sweden, also including a medley from the musical Kristina från Duvemåla by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA. Brava was inspired to record the album after her two 25-city concert tours in Sweden together with Kalle Moraeus, a former violinist of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the most sought-after folk musicians in the country. On the critically acclaimed album,[108][109] Brava is accompanied by members of Benny Anderssons Orkester while Anders Ekborg sings on two tracks.

Angels

Brava's latest album Angels is a collection of Christmas carols from Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, England and the United States, arranged for solo violin, string quartet, harp, and female choir, in addition to numerous guest artists such as guitarist Ulf Wakenius, trombonist Nils Landgren, and soprano Sofia Källgren.

The album peaked at number 3 on the Swedish Classical Album Chart,[110] and includes classics like "Angels We Have Heard on High", "Away in a Manger", "Ding Dong Merrily on High", "O Holy Night", "Panis Angelicus", and "Silent Night".[111] Angels is the first album released through Brava's own record label Linda Lampenius Productions, although, the album is distributed by Naxos Records.[111][112][113] It is also Brava's first Christmas release.[114]

The album was produced by Brava herself and Lars Nilsson, who also produced Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel's wedding album. The arrangers include Swedish composers Paula af Malmborg, Olov Helge, and Dan Evmark as well as a Norwegian composer Tormod Tvete Vik. The featured string quartet is Hvila from the Gothenburg Symphony, and the female choir is Leif Strands Damkör from Gothenburg as well. The harpist is Delphine Constantin from France.[111][115]

Released in Finland and Sweden, Angels has got warm reviews in various publications. Göteborgs-Posten wrote that Brava is "a good soloist", who "approaches her music with devotion", and the critic was especially "fascinated by the strong, melancholic Finnish Christmas song 'Sylvian joululaulu' ('Sylvia's Christmas Song')".[116] Hallands Nyheter positively declared that "musically, the outcome sounds more like a concert recording",[117] and Västerbottens-Kuriren described the album as "beautiful, caressing and enjoyable, soothing and pleasant",[118] while Hufvudstadsbladet stated that Brava is "a divinely gifted violinist" and "the performances are high-class".[119] Furthermore, Rondo-Classica, the biggest classical music magazine in the Nordic countries, thought the album is Brava's "best release so far – She plays convincingly. The tone of her Gagliano violin has become more beautiful, and her pretty straightforward phrasing is completed well by the clang of the harp and the angelic voices of the female choir."[120] Brava promoted the album in Finland and Sweden with numerous television and radio appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and promotional performances.[121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139][140][141][142]

Other careers

Modelling

Brava attended a modelling school and came 2nd in a major modelling competition in Finland in 1988, appearing in a few fashion shows and a televised coffee commercial.[2] She was also asked to participate in Miss Finland beauty pageants several times, but refused, because she wanted to concentrate on her playing.[143]

In 1996, both Björn Borg and Panos Emporio offered Brava a modelling contract, and she became the spokesperson for the Björn Borg fashion label, appearing in advertisements, fashion shows and other promotional events in Finland, Sweden and England from 1996 through 1999.[2][68][144] Especially the Björn Borg fashion shows, some of which were also televised, became popular, and Brava drew international media attention as she was playing the violin while modelling swimsuits on catwalks.[2][145][146] The shows became so popular that when Brava performed in the NK Stockholm for the first time, there was a queue outside and some people were unable to see the show. Brava's televised performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in the middle of the 1st ATP Masters tournament between Björn Borg and John McEnroe made also headlines, and the picture of her in a tiny black, figure-hugging lycra outfit and red faux fur moon boots was prominently featured in the papers the following days.[147]

The Swiss watch manufacturer Maurice Lacroix engaged Brava to promote their Calypso range of watches in England in 2000. In addition to editorial shoots and posters, Brava also played in various Maurice Lacroix events, including at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.[2][148][149]

Over the years, Brava has also modelled in many magazines, including Café,[150] Elle,[2] Esquire,[105] GQ,[2] Hello!,[151] Maxim[152] and Playboy.[153]

Acting

Brava appeared in a Finnish film classic, Akseli ja Elina, in 1970. Her mother played the lead and she was her daughter-in-arms. Through her childhood, Brava had small roles among others in productions of the Swedish Theatre, touring in Sweden and Norway with the theatre company. Since the 1990s, Brava has appeared in few Finnish and Swedish TV series, including Kadonnut näky,[154] Uuno Turhapuro and Cleo.[2] Brava has also starred in Finnish comedy TV series Kultajukka & kumppanit on YLE. Among her other roles on the show, she parodied her own public image in Finland, playing the "Media Linda", a stupid blonde, who carries a violin and invades everywhere in little outfits.[2]

While living in Los Angeles, Brava was offered roles in Fame L.A., Melrose Place and Baywatch,[2][155] and she was also asked to star a television talk show as its musical guest host.[2][156] Brava refused to sign any long-term contracts, but agreed to appear in one episode of Fame L.A. as a guest star, playing Ilsa Lundqvist, a Swedish violinist, who ends up playing the violin at a Christmas party of an art school, having one of the students fall in love with her. After months of persuading by Douglas Schwartz, Brava also agreed to appear in one episode of Baywatch, in which she portrayed Ariana, a European violinist in trouble. Both of the shows used music from Brava's pop album, including pieces "Violator" and "Aquamarine".

Politics

Brava represented the Swedish People's Party and was elected to the Helsinki City Council for a four-year term in 1996,[157] serving also as a board member of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.[158] In 1997, Brava was titled as Finland's Tourist Envoy in Sweden as she had increased Swedes' interest in Finland.[159]

Entrepreneur

Brava had her own cider brand, Linda Cider, in the Nordic countries between 1997 and 2000, selling over 12 million bottles in two years.[160] To support the cider sales, Brava had a calendar for 1998, and every now and then, she would travel all around the country by a helicopter, visiting several major supermakets in one day, giving autographs and posing for pictures.[2][161]

Author

Brava's autobiography, Linda, was published by WSOY in Finland in 2003. In her book, Brava talks openly about her upbringing, demanding violin training, tours around the world, years of success, and severe personal struggles, including low self-esteem, unhealty relationships, legal battles against her former American manager and his millionaire friend, depression and eating disorders.[2]

Over the years, Brava has also published some of her diary entries and short stories in Finnish newspapers.[2][162] In December 2010, she started blogging on her life and career on the official website of Mama magazine in Sweden.[163] She has suffered from anorexia, orthorexia, and bulimia for over 20 years, and has spoken on the subject publicly.[164][165][166][167][168]

Sports

Brava got her rally licence in the 1990s,[169] and has since raced Sports 2000 series cars and worked as a co-driver in rally competitions in Finland, in addition to having her own kart racing team. She has also worked as a commentator for Nordic TV channels during ice hockey and Formula One meets in Europe.[2] As for other sports, Brava has gone in for alpine skiing (naming Madonna di Campiglio, Courchevel and Åre as her favorite skiing resorts),[170] boxing and scuba diving, practicing also archery in Israel.[2] In 2008, Brava trained Muay Thai in Thailand and made a PR video for the Fairtex Bangplee training camp.[171]

Brava has also learnt ballroom dances as she participated in Let's Dance (the Swedish version of Dancing with the Stars) on TV4 in 2008. Brava and her dance partner Daniel da Silva won several rounds of the competition, but after an injury, came 6th out of 12.[172][173][174]

Media

Brava first came into the public spotlight as a child prodigy on the violin, performing on Finnish TV numerous times in the 1970s and 1980s and being featured in Finnish newspapers, in addition to concert tours all around Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan. Since the mid-1990s, she has been one of the most famous celebrities in Finland, being also one of the best known Finnish personalities in Sweden, her current home country. Brava has always been open about her personal life, and especially the Finnish media has been covering this field of her life in detail throughout the years.[2][16][175]

Since 1997, Brava has been featured in numerous TV programmes all around the world. Channel 4's documentary about her has been aired all around Europe and Japan,[145] while the documentary by CBS' Inside Edition was broadcast in the USA.[176] Brava has also starred in a music special by Rai Uno, the biggest TV channel in Italy, and the concert was broadcast in 160 countries worldwide,[177] while her solo orchestral appearance with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales was televised for Britain.[105] In 2007, Brava appeared as a violin soloist in Anúna's Celtic Origins music special on PBS, which aired the show on over 250 TV statios across the USA.[79] Brava has also been featured in news programmes on ABC, the BBC,[2] CNBC,[48] CNN and Fox News Channel,[48] including BBC Breakfast[2] and The O'Reilly Factor,[48] the most-watched cable news show in the USA. Brava has also been featured in light entertainment shows, including on E! Entertainment.[48] With her classical album release, Brava visited several TV shows in Europe and the Far East,[20][104] performing even for 200 million TV viewers at a time.[105]

As for publications, Brava has been featured in the cover stories of The Sunday Times,[9] Classic FM Magazine,[6] Playboy[153] and many others. Both American Elle[155] and Details[178] chose Brava as the Best Newcomer in Music in 1998, and she has since been featured in numerous other fashion, lifestyle and entertainment magazines as well, including Entertainment Weekly,[179] Esquire,[105] GQ,[2] Hello!,[151] Maxim[152] and Vogue.[2] The Times has stated her to be "the gifted Finnish classical violinist",[58] who is "brilliant" and "acclaimed by critics",[180] while The Sunday Times stated "she plays like Nigel Kennedy".[92] Brava has also been called "a striking Finnish blonde with impeccable musical credentials" by the Los Angeles Daily News[181] and "Finnish Phenom" by the New York Post.[182] Additionally, she has been called a "virtuoso violinist" by both The Guardian[183] and The Independent.[184] Billed as the Bach Babe in tabloids in the UK,[58] Brava has been featured in the front page article of The Sun,[185] while she has also been featured in such British publications as Classic CD,[186] the Daily Mail,[2] the Evening Standard,[38] Q,[2] The Daily Telegraph[187] and The European.[145]

In 2010, Brava was one of the judges of the 1st season of X Factor, a singing competition based on Simon Cowell's The X Factor franchise.[10]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Dagens Nyheter, 23 February 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 Linda, ISBN 9789510273364, WSOY, 2003.
  3. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 7–8 July 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Me Naiset, 2/2010.
  5. ↑ The Upbringing of a Talented Violinist, ISBN 952913715X, Helsinki University Printing House, 2001.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Classic FM Magazine, October 1999.
  7. ↑ Bettina på turné TV series on YLE FST5, 26 May 2008.
  8. ↑ Good Morning Finland on MTV3, 12 June 2008.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 The Sunday Times, 20 July 1997.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 The X Factor Website, mtv3.fi/xfactor, 16 January 2010.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Iltalehti, 7 September 1996.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ilta-Sanomat, 7 November 1997.
  13. ↑ Hufvudstadsbladet, 5 November 1995.
  14. ↑ Lumo, 11-12/2010.
  15. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 27 February 1998.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Iltalehti, 16–17 June 2007.
  17. ↑ Iltalehti, 24 June 1999.
  18. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 10 April 1997.
  19. ↑ The Artist & Eventbolaget Website, artistocheventbolaget.com, 18 January 2010.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Ilta-Sanomat, 20 November 1999.
  21. ↑ Linda Brava, EMI Classics, 1999.
  22. ↑ Helsingin Sanomat, 30 January 1997.
  23. ↑ Dala-Demokraten, 7 June 2003.
  24. ↑ Västerås Tidning, 8 August 2008.
  25. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 18 June 1998.
  26. ↑ Iltalehti, 27 July 2008.
  27. ↑ Svenska Dagbladet, 14 June 1998.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Irish Independent, 30 July 2010.
  29. ↑ Ulriksdals Slottsgala 1998.
  30. ↑ The Malar International Music Festival 2008.
  31. ↑ Dagen Nyheter, 19 February 2008.
  32. ↑ Dalarnas Tidningar, 22 March 2004.
  33. ↑ Göteborgs-Posten, 2 April 2004.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Aftonbladet, 6 July 2008.
  35. ↑ Expressen, 28 November 2008.
  36. ↑ The Artist & Eventbolaget Website, artistocheventbolaget.com, 16 January 2010.
  37. ↑ Official Website of the NATO Kosovo Force, nato.int/KFOR, And the blonde played on, 2 January 2003.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Evening Standard, 30 October 2003.
  39. ↑ Viihdeuutiset on MTV3, 9 October 2006.
  40. ↑ Komsomolskaya Pravda – Irkutsk, 22 September 2006.
  41. ↑ Aamulehti, 25 May 2007.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 The RTÉ Performing Groups Website, rte.ie/performinggroups/, Musical Postcards: Ireland, 31 July 2010.
  43. ↑ The 40th Annual Royal Palace Music Festival, Grand Finale Concert at the Hall of State of the Stockholm Palace with Linda Lampenius, Bengan Janson, Frida Jansson, Magnus Svensson, Mats Liljefors and the Royal Swedish Chamber Orchestra, 16 September 2010.
  44. ↑ The Royal Palace Music Festival Website, royalfestivals.se, Grand Final, 21 September 2010.
  45. ↑ Good Morning Finland, 11 February 2010.
  46. ↑ The Nyårskonserten 2011 Website, nyarskonserten.se, Turnéplan (Tour Dates), 5 October 2010.
  47. ↑ Me Naiset, 50/2005.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 Maria! TV series on Nelonen, 15 October 2008.
  49. ↑ Helsingin Sanomat, 16 October 1997.
  50. ↑ Kirjeitä Suomesta (The Finnish Diaries), ISBN 9511155792, Otava, 1998.
  51. ↑ International Herald Tribune, 15 December 2007.
  52. ↑ Helsingin Sanomat, 10 December 1997.
  53. ↑ The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital Website, barnsjukhuset.nu, 3 April 2010.
  54. ↑ The 1st White Night in St. Moritz Benefit Event in St. Moritz, Switzerland, 11 February 2005.
  55. ↑ Barn & Cancer, 2/2004.
  56. ↑ The Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation Gala Concert with Linda Lampenius at Högfjällshotell in Sälen, Sweden, 5 March 2011.
  57. ↑ Minun iltani: Erkki Liikanen TV series on YLE TV1, 29 September 1996.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 The Times, 26 February 1998.
  59. ↑ The Sun, 27 July 1997.
  60. ↑ The Making of.. Tara'ab, Channel 2 (Israel), 20 February 2009.
  61. ↑ The Chris Blackwell Website, chrisblackwell.co.uk, 31 July 2010.
  62. ↑ Fantastix on Hamburger Börs Stockholm, 2003.
  63. ↑ Expressen, 13 November 2006.
  64. ↑ Sundsvalls Tidning, 1 December 2008.
  65. ↑ Sundsvalls Tidning, 30 July 2007.
  66. ↑ Nyhetsmorgon on TV4, 1 October 2007.
  67. ↑ The SR i Kungsan Festival on 25 August 2007.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Ilta-Sanomat, 4 December 1997.
  69. ↑ Iltalehti, 7 December 1997.
  70. ↑ Helsingin Sanomat, 15 September 1998.
  71. ↑ The Ferrari & Maserati Showroom Opening in The Barvikha Luxury Village on 23 June 2006.
  72. ↑ The Budo & Fitness Stores Website, asp.budo-fitness.se, 20 May 2006.
  73. ↑ Urheilukanava, 21 February 2008.
  74. ↑ Idrottsgalan 2012 on TV4 (Sweden), 16 January 2012.
  75. ↑ The Yana Mangi Website, yana.nu, 10 April 2010.
  76. ↑ The Anúna Website, anuna.ie, 24 January 2010.
  77. ↑ The Anúna Christmas Memories Website, anuna.ie/Christmasmems_news.html, 24 January 2010.
  78. ↑ 7 päivää, 42/2007.
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 The Anúna Website, anuna.ie, 1 January 2008.
  80. ↑ The Elevation Group Website, elevationgrp.com, 22 January 2009.
  81. ↑ The Linda Lampenius & Anúna Christmas Concerts at Sofia Church in Stockholm and Annedal's Church in Gothenburg, Sweden, 19 and 20 November 2011.
  82. ↑ The Julkonserten 2008 Website, julkonserten.se, 1 January 2008.
  83. ↑ Borgåbladet, 20 December 2010.
  84. ↑ Uusimaa, 20 December 2010.
  85. ↑ The Muntra Musikanter Sällskapet & Linda Lampenius Christmas Concerts at Temppeliaukio Church, 19 December 2011.
  86. ↑ Sunday Tribune, 25 July 2010.
  87. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 16 October 1997.
  88. ↑ The Linda Lampenius MySpace, myspace.com/lindalampenius, 4 December 2007.
  89. ↑ Finnish Top Album Chart, Week 15, 1997.
  90. ↑ Daily Mirror, 16 June 1997.
  91. ↑ Daily Record, 16 June 1997.
  92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 The Sunday Times, 15 June 1997.
  93. ↑ Helsingin Sanomat, 29 July 1997.
  94. ↑ The Times, 4 December 1997
  95. ↑ My way, ISBN 9789515011190, Schildts, 2000.
  96. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 18 May 2001.
  97. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 9 December 1999.
  98. ↑ The Guardian, 3 August 2000.
  99. ↑ Gramophone, December 1999.
  100. ↑ Turok's Choice, September 2000.
  101. ↑ Evening Standard, November 1999.
  102. ↑ Iltalehti, 24 September 1999.
  103. ↑ ABC Classic FM, September–December 1999.
  104. ↑ 104.0 104.1 Ilta-Sanomat, 23 November 1999.
  105. ↑ 105.0 105.1 105.2 105.3 105.4 Iltalehti, 11 December 1999.
  106. ↑ http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MFRE9YCRL._SS500_.jpg Cover of the DVD
  107. ↑ C Music TV, August Highlights 2010, cmusic.tv/watchvideo/543, 5 February 2011.
  108. ↑ Sundsvalls Tidning, 19 November 2005.
  109. ↑ POP-lehti, 1/2006.
  110. ↑ Swedish Classical Album Chart, 47/20111.
  111. ↑ 111.0 111.1 111.2 Angels, Linda Lampenius Productions, 2010.
  112. ↑ Fantastico Music, fantasticomusic.fi, Linda Lampenius Profile, 5 October 2010.
  113. ↑ Efter Tio on TV4 (Sweden), 1 October 2010.
  114. ↑ Metro Herald, 21 July 2010.
  115. ↑ The Official Linda Lampenius Blog on the Mama Website, blogg.mama.nu/lindalampenius/, "Jul, jul, strålande jul", 16 December 2010.
  116. ↑ Göteborgs-Posten, 15 December 2010.
  117. ↑ Hallands Nyheter, 11 December 2010.
  118. ↑ Västerbottens-Kuriren, 11 November 2010.
  119. ↑ Hufvudstadsbladet, 15 December 2010.
  120. ↑ Rondo-Classica, 12/2010.
  121. ↑ Helsinki Music Festival, Linda Lampenius at Rondo FM Hall, 30 and 31 October 2010.
  122. ↑ Anna (Finland), 45/2010.
  123. ↑ Återvinningsintervjun on Sveriges Radio P3 (Sweden), 12 November 2010.
  124. ↑ Expressen (Sweden), 12 November 2010.
  125. ↑ Nyhetsmorgon on TV4 (Sweden), 20 November 2010.
  126. ↑ RIX MorronZoo on RIX FM (Sweden), 24 November 2010.
  127. ↑ The Angels CD Signing at Huddinge Centrum in Huddinge, 27 November 2010.
  128. ↑ The Angels CD Signing at Entré in Malmö, 28 November 2010.
  129. ↑ The Angels CD Signing at Valens in Trelleborg, 28 November 2010.
  130. ↑ Eeva (Finland), 12/2010.
  131. ↑ Soili & Waronen Show on Sisuradio (Sweden), 2 December 2010.
  132. ↑ Puoli seitsemän on YLE TV1 (Finland), 7 December 2010.
  133. ↑ Min Morgon on YLE FST5 (Finland), 8 December 2010.
  134. ↑ Good Morning Finland on MTV3 (Finland), 10 December 2010.
  135. ↑ Efter Tio on TV4 (Sweden), 10 December 2010.
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  137. ↑ The Angels CD Signing at NK in Göteborg, 11 December 2010.
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  141. ↑ Iltalehti (Finland), 13 December 2010.
  142. ↑ Vakna! med The Voice on The Voice (Sweden), 15 December 2010.
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  146. ↑ The Sunday Times, 6 July 1997.
  147. ↑ Finest.se, 29 August 2008.
  148. ↑ The Sunday Telegraph, 28 November 1999.
  149. ↑ Kauppalehti's Optio supplement, 24 February 2000.
  150. ↑ Cafe, May 1997.
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  152. ↑ 152.0 152.1 Maxim, March 1998.
  153. ↑ 153.0 153.1 Playboy, April 1998.
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  155. ↑ 155.0 155.1 Elle USA, January 1998.
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  162. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 24 March 1998.
  163. ↑ The Official Linda Lampenius Blog, blogg.mama.nu/lindalampenius/, December 2010.
  164. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 25 January 2008.
  165. ↑ Iltalehti, 25 May 2011.
  166. ↑ Aftonbladet, 27 May 2011.
  167. ↑ Linda Lampenius on Eating Disorders at Konfex & Events Fair at Eriksbergshallen in Gothenburg, 9 February 2012.
  168. ↑ Linda Lampenius on Eating Disorders at Möten & Events Fair at Kistamässan in Stockholm, 14 March 2012.
  169. ↑ Helsingin Sanomat, 13 February 1997.
  170. ↑ The TV4Vädret Website, tv4vadret.se, Mitt Sportlov – Linda Lampenius, 20 February 2008.
  171. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 27 July 2008.
  172. ↑ Iltalehti, 12 November 2007.
  173. ↑ Apu, 27 February 2008.
  174. ↑ The Let's Dance 2008 Website, tv4.se/letsdance, 2 March 2008.
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  178. ↑ Details, December 1997.
  179. ↑ Entertainment Weekly, 17 April 1998.
  180. ↑ The Times, 6 March 1998.
  181. ↑ Los Angeles Daily News, 29 April 1998.
  182. ↑ New York Post, 22 October 2006.
  183. ↑ The Guardian, 20 June 1997.
  184. ↑ The Independent, 16 June 1997.
  185. ↑ Ilta-Sanomat, 30 June 1997.
  186. ↑ The Guardian, 12 October 1999.
  187. ↑ The Daily Telegraph, 3 July 1997.

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