Classical Music News

Sibelius Academy Welcomes Violinist Cecilia Zilliacus to its Faculty

May 10, 2023

2 MIN READ

The Swedish violinist is a champion of new music and a member of the ZilliacusPerssonRaitinen string trio

The Swedish violinist Cecilia Zilliacus has received a professorship at the University of Helsinki's Sibelius Academy in Finland. Zilliacus has previously held teaching positions in Sweden at Stockholm's Royal College of Music and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

As a soloist, Zilliacus has performed with most of the Swedish symphony orchestras, as well as overseas ensembles including the BBC Symphony Wales, the National Symphony Orchestra of Estonia, the Radio Symphony of the Netherlands, and the Zagreb Philharmonic.

She has established a reputation as a firm champion of new music, and is committed to opening the ears of her audiences to styles that may be less familiar. Among the composers she has commissioned are B. Tommy Andersson, Dai Fujikura, Mats Larsson Gothe, Fredrik Hedelin, Daniel Nelson. Mika Pelo, Sven-David Sandström, and Lotta Wennäkoski.

Zilliacus also appears frequently with her string trio, ZilliacusPerssonRaitinen.

"[We are] so happy to welcome the wonderfully versatile musician and pedagogue Cecilia Zilliacus to join our faculty as our new professor of violin music from August 2023 on," wrote the Sibelius Academy. "Zilliacus has a wide professional network and long teaching experience."

"She is appreciated for her vision of the future of violin music and the development of the field, her exceptionally student-oriented and efficient way of teaching, and her extensive knowledge and experience of professional life, in particular."

"Being a teacher is probably one of the most important professions in the world — like a calling," Zilliacus said. "To have the honor of helping a young person become what they desire to become feels like a gift."