Amaranth Duo
Colorful and Unfading
The Amaranth Duo presents an evening of music which will capture your imagination with beautifully crafted interpretations and stunning virtuosity. Invoking musical characters from the somber to the sublime with luminous sound and elegant simplicity, the duo passionately performs classic selections of repertoire, folk-inspired pieces or newly composed works. The Amaranth Duo delivers a colorful and unfading presentation.
Exciting Blend!
“The Amaranth Duo is an exciting blend! Violinist Asa Gudjonsdottir and guitarist Christopher Ladd are an irresistible pair in a multitude of ways. Their fascinating programming combines new works, folk elements, classical traditions and even a taste of the North with Asa’s authentic Icelandic flair. Their audience appeal is tremendous.
As a presenter for over twenty years, I have not often witnessed such organic alignment as an ensemble combined with such sophistication. Their sound matches their onstage aura. They are unforgettable!”
-Lisa Bergman, Artistic Director
Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series
Nordic Heritage Museum
About Asa
With her flawless musicality and interpretation, Asa Gudjonsdottir has awed audiences around the world. Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, Asa came into a family devoted to the arts. Beginning her studies at the age of 3, and instantly became mesmerized with the instrument. At the age of 12, Asa was admitted to the Reykjavik Conservatory, ultimately leading up to her acceptance at the prestigious Icelandic Academy of the Arts where she studied with Auður Hafsteinsdottir. Asa Gudjonsdottir has cultivated her talent with some of the greatest musicians in the world, of which includes Routa Kroumovitch at Stetson University, Boris Kuschnir, in Vienna, and most recently with Anton Miller at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. As a winner of the Reykjavik Conservatory Concerto Competition in 2004, Asa Gudjonsdottir gave a raving review performance of Sarasate’s Zingeunerweisen with the Reykjavik Youth Orchestra. In 2006, she was awarded Third Prize at the Simon-Fiset Violin Competition in Seattle, WA. From 2010 -2011, Asa Gudjonsdottir held a yearlong position at the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra before continuing her further studies. Asa Gudjonsdottir has been regularly invited to perform in concerts and music festivals in Europe and United States, as a soloist and as a chamber musician. Her recent performances include a performance of the Mendelsohn Violin Concerto with the Icelandic Youth Orchestra and a premiere of Depo Flux, concerto grosso by Ken Steen at Lincoln Theater in Connecticut. She is a recipient of the Visa cultural award in Iceland, Fulbright Foundation and the American-Scandinavian Foundation.