Joachim Becerra Thomsen
principal flute
Praised for his “distinctive and ravishingly beautiful sound, superb musicianship and wonderful presence”, Joachim Becerra Thomsen, principal flute of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and former associate principal flute of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, has performed extensively throughout Scandinavia and Southern California with a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles.
Over the course of his young career he has lead flute sections under the baton of renowned conductors such as James Conlon, Ádám Fischer, James Gaffigan, Manfred Honeck, Kristjan Järvi, Jeffrey Kahane, Louis Langrée, Hannu Lintu, Kurt Masur, Juanjo Mena, Ludovic Morlot, Vasily Petrenko, Matthias Pintscher, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Leif Segerstam Tugan Sokhiev, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Alexander Verdernikov. In 2016 he served as principal flute in the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Helsinki and participated in high profile chamber music concerts live streamed by the Finnish television, and recorded for Ondine label with the orchestra. He has also appeared as guest principal flute with esteemed Scandinavian ensembles including Copenhagen Phil, the Danish Chamber Orchestra – with whom he recorded for DVD and CD on DaCapo label, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Royal Danish Orchestra, and Turku Philharmonic. In addition to these engagements, his passion for early music led him to collaborate with celebrated Baroque specialists such as conductor and harpsichordist, Harry Bicket, leader of Arte Dei Suonatori, Aureliusz Golinski and international soloist, Bolette Roed.
Becerra Thomsen’s performances in and with various orchestras have been featured on numerous radio stations and Finnish and Danish tv, including Los Angeles’ KUSC in Southern California, Seattle’s Classical KING FM in Washington, Copenhagen’s DR P2 and DRK in Denmark, and YLE in Finland.
An accomplished soloist, Becerra Thomsen is the recipient of many of the most prestigious music awards and prizes from Denmark – the Harby Foundation Honorary Grant, Sonning Talent Prize, the Jacob Gade Honorary Award and Talent Prize and the Rødovre Music Award to name a few. In addition to these prizes he is also the Grand Prize laureate of the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition.
Becerra Thomsen studied with illustrious flutists, teachers and pedagogues, including Julien Beaudiment, Dennis Bouriakov, Tim Day, Toke Lund Christiansen, Ulla Miilmann, Emmanuel Pahud, Jim Walker, Henrik Wiese, and he graduated with honors from the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, earning Bachelor and Master degrees in Flute Performance with special studies in early music performance practice. In 2018 he completed an Artist Diploma at the Colburn School in Los Angeles under the mentorship of Jim Walker.
Joachim Becerra Thomsen is a Yamaha Performing Artist
