Guildhall String Ensemble 

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

Candida studied violin at Guildhall School with David Takeno and at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity 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 as performer/director to work 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 Candida became artistic director of Amsterdam Sinfonietta, a top-notch string ensemble with an international focus and reputation. Directing and performing in 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 CDs for Deutsche Grammophon, Sony, Decca, ECM and has a long relationship with Channel Classics.

Chamber music is always at the core of Candida’s musical activities. Performing with kindred musical spirits such as Bruno Giuranna, Xenia Yankovich, Harriët Krijgh, Alexander, Gavrylyuk, Victor-Julien Laferrière, Iris Juda and Janine Jansen has shaped her musical taste and standard. Candida has been 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 has also performed at the Utrecht Kamermuziek Festival. 

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