Candida Thompson is known for her extraordinary musical communication and honest musicianship. Her curiosity and research led her to pioneering programmes and collaborations crossing boundaries of culture, time and genre.

Candida studied violin with David Takeno at the Guildhall School of Music in London and completed them at the Banff Center for the Arts in Canada. An invitation for a series of masterclasses and concerts with Isaac Stern played an important role in her musical development. Candida has been invited in a play/direct role with groups such as the Chamber orchestra of Europe, City of London Sinfonia, Guildhall String Ensemble, Camerata Nordica, Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Camerata Salzburg.

In 2003 she became artistic director of Amsterdam Sinfonietta: a top-notch string ensemble with an international focus and reputation. Play/directing the ensemble she has established a well-attended adventurous concert series in the Netherlands which frequently tours Europe, South America, China and Australia and has recorded cd’s for Deutsche Grammophon, Sony, Decca, ECM and has a long relationship with Channel Classics.

Chamber music is always at the core of her musical activities. Performing with kindred musical spirits like Bruno Giuranna, Xenia Yankovich, Harriët Krijgh, Alexander, Gavrylyuk, Victor-Julien Laferrière, Iris Juda and Janine Jansen she shaped her musical taste and standard. Candida is invited to festivals such as the Kuhmo festival in Finland, Ernen festival in Switzerland, La musica Sarasota in the US, ‘Harriet & Friends’ in Austria and also performed at the Utrecht Kamermuziek Festival.

As a stong advocate for the heritage of classical music but also with a keen interest in today’s cultural developments Candida seeks artistic dialogue. This leads to compelling projects involving living composers such as Jörg Widmann, Thomas Larcher, Michel van der Aa, but also involving philosophers, photographers, urban dancers, actors, and light designers. Because Candida values the development of younger musicians highly, she is a regular guest at institutions like Villa Musica Chamber Music in Germany or the Guildhall School in London to coach and play with young talents.

Candida plays on a Guarneri, del Gesù (1698-1744) kindly on loan from a private collector.

Candida Thompson BIOGRAPHY (English PDF)
Candida Thompson BIOGRAFIE (Dutch PDF)
Candida Thompson BIOGRAFIE (German PDF)