Dan Styffe
Dan Styffe, a Swedish-born double bassist, has spent the majority of his professional career in Norway. After studying under Göran Nyberg, Knut Guettler, and Gary Karr—while also serving as Karr’s assistant from 1981 to 1982—Dan made his solo debut in Oslo in 1985. He has since remained active as both a soloist and chamber musician, regularly performing at international chamber music festivals and as a solo artist. He has also taken part in numerous international double bass conventions around the globe.
In April 2011, Styffe premiered and recorded Rolf Martinsson’s Concerto No. 1 with the Oslo Philharmonic under the direction of conductor Sakari Oramo. Later that same year, he recorded Fredrik Högberg’s concerto "Hitting the First Bass" with the Tromsø Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Holthe. Dan also performed the world premiere of this concerto with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, led by Isabelle van Keulen.
Throughout his career, Dan has commissioned many new works and collaborated with a variety of composers. In February 2018, he premiered a new concerto by Swedish composer Christian Lindberg with the Beethoven Orchestra in Bonn.
After completing his studies, Dan was appointed principal bassist with the Norwegian Opera Orchestra and later held the same position with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra under the leadership of Iona Brown. Currently, he serves as co-principal bassist with the Oslo Philharmonic and is a Professor of Double Bass at both the Norwegian Academy of Music and Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo.
