Some careers demand your attention. Alena Baeva's is one of them. The Kyrgyzstan-born violinist has gone from one of many competition-winning talents to one of the violin world's most sought-after soloists in just a few years.

Her mentor was none other than Mstislav Rostropovich, and she studied with Seiji Ozawa. At just 16, she won the Grand Prix at the legendary Wieniawski Competition. Three years later, she took the Paganini Competition. In other words, something sets her apart – but what?

"You're almost afraid the violin will catch fire," wrote Der Opernfreund, while The New York Times described her playing as "assertive beauty with vibrato so quick it almost disappeared." Tine was never in doubt about who she wanted, in other words.

With a CV like hers, it's only right that she comes to us in Risør!