Jakob Kullberg

Jakob Kullberg is a distinguished Cello Professor at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, where he is part of the Strings faculty. He has held a teaching position at the Royal Danish Academy of Music since 2005 and serves as artistic director of the Open Strings Cello Academy since 2004.

Jakob studied in Amsterdam, London, Zagreb, Vienna and Copenhagen with renowned teachers including Harro Ruijsenaars, Dmitri Ferschtman, Valter Despalj, Mats Lidström, Morten Zeuthen and Anner Bylsma.

His research and performance interests focus on contemporary cello repertoire, particularly modern cello concertos and Nordic contemporary music. He has developed significant collaborative relationships with composers Per Nørgård, Bent Sørensen, and Kaija Saariaho, with Nørgård having composed and dedicated numerous works specifically for him. His work emphasizes the dialogue between performer and composer in the creative process.

His recordings showcase his dedication to contemporary music, including the Grammy-winning 'Momentum' (2013), Per Nørgård's 'Remembering Child' (2014), and concertos by Saariaho, Nørgård, and Shostakovich recorded with the BBC Philharmonic (2016/17).

• Danish Grammy (twice winner, most recent 2013 for 'Momentum')
• Gramophone Award nomination (London)
• Q2 Music Album of the Week
• Gladsaxe Music Prize (2011)
• Top prize at international solo and chamber music competitions

Kullberg has performed with major orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Bergen Philharmonic, and BBC Philharmonic. He has been artist in residence at prestigious venues including Tivoli Garden Concert Hall, the International Carl Nielsen Violin Competition, and New Music Orchestra in Poland. His festival appearances include Aldeburgh Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Huddersfield Festival, and Bergen International Festival.

He regularly gives masterclasses internationally at institutions including the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Norwegian Academy of Music, and the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Poland.