Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson 
New member of the Berliner Philharmoniker Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson New member of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Meet our new principal flautist, Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson, who has completed his probationary period. What is it like to join one of the world’s leading orchestras after years of professional experience? In this portrait, he talks about the challenges of his first season and why becoming a member of the Berliner Philharmoniker fulfilled a lifelong dream.

Just seven months after Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson had taken up his post as principal flautist with the Berliner Philharmoniker, he received the news: “Congratulations, you’ve passed your probation!” This came as no real surprise, as the Icelandic-born musician brought with him a wealth of experience from two leading orchestras: he held the same position in the orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera in New York from 2007 to 2016 and in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2015 to 2025. Nevertheless, the probationary period also presented challenges: “I had to adapt to the orchestra’s unique way of communicating and making music,” Höskuldsson says. “I also had to find the right balance between the freedom to play as a soloist, providing musical leadership, and engaging in dialogue with the orchestra.”

Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson has felt a connection to the sound of the Berliner Philharmoniker since childhood: his father, the owner of a record shop and a great fan of the orchestra, would often tell him about a concert he’d attended where he’d heard the Berliner Philharmoniker under Herbert von Karajan. He also grew up listening to the orchestra’s recordings. When, years later, he first heard the Berliner Philharmoniker live at Carnegie Hall in New York, he began to dream of joining its ranks. “It is an honour to be part of this magnificent orchestra and to help carry forward its distinctive sound and musical tradition,” he says. “Another fascinating aspect of the Berlin Philharmonic is that its members play a direct role in shaping every aspect of the organisation, and therefore share responsibility for the orchestra.” 

Growing up with the sound of the Philharmoniker

Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson began learning the recorder at the age of six; shortly afterwards, he switched to the flute and fell in love with its sound. “It has a special lustre that never ceases to fascinate me and brings brilliance to the sound of the orchestra – just like sunlight or moonlight on water,” he says. His first teacher, Bernhard Wilkinson, with whom Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson studied at the Reykjavík School of Music from 1988 to 1995, sparked his passion for orchestral playing. Wilkinson, who was then principal flautist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, was also an accomplished conductor. He taught his pupil the special role that the flute plays in the overall sound of an orchestra. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson moved to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he continued his studies with Peter Lloyd. Masterclasses with William Bennett rounded off his training. Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson, who is also a sought-after soloist and chamber musician, now also teaches at the Pacific Music Festival and gives numerous masterclasses.

Even though he has joined the orchestra of his dreams, Höskuldsson has no intention of resting on his laurels: “As musicians, we are always evolving. I think the key to continued growth is to remain open to new ideas and different perspectives on music and music-making. There is never only one way to achieve an artistic goal.”