VIOLINIST
CHRISTIAN SVARFVAR
Swedish violinist Christian Svarfvar is one of Scandinavia's most admired musicians with a succession of critically acclaimed performances and recordings. His creative and exciting attitude to concert programming, paired with the passion and energy he brings to musical interaction, marks Svarfvar as one of the most captivating voices of his generation.
As a recitalist, Svarfvar is a frequent performer at the significant festivals in Scandinavia and performes as a soloist in the most prestigious halls such as Concertgebouw, Cité de la musique, Musikverein, Palais de beaux arts, Tchaikovsky Hall, Carnegie Hall, Birmingham Symphony, Luxembourg Philharmonie, Kölner Philharmonie, Gothenburg Concert Hall, Berwaldhallen, Stockholm, Stockholm Concert Hall, Stavanger Concert Hall, Megaron, Athen and Seoul Art Center.
Svarfvar was exposed to music from an early age since both of his parents were professional violinists. He began his violin studies with his father, Sven-Ole Svarfvar, former 1st concertmaster of the Norwegian Opera and Swedish Chamber Orchestra and moreover a respected teacher. Svarfvar's talents developed rapidly, and he made his debut as a soloist in Mendelssohn violin concerto with the Swedish chamber orchestra at the age of twelve.
Christian´s debut album, “Grieg Violin Sonatas” was released on Sterling Records and was greatly praised by the international press.
Since then, Svarfvar has recorded several CDs for BIS records, of which the latest recording “Après un rêve” includes music by Fauré, Ravel, and Debussy together with pianist Roland Pöntinen.
The Album was blessed by numerous international magazines. The Strad described it as “Breathtaking performances” and called it “An outstanding release.
Svarfvar came to wide national attention when he was appointed "rising star" by the European Concert Hall Organization (ECHO) The nomination led to significant solo concerts in prestigious halls such as the Musikverein, Bozar, Cité de la musique, Luxembourg Philharmonie, Kölner Philharmonie, Birmingham Symphony, Tchaikovsky Hall and Seoul Art Center. Subsequently, he made his New York recital debut with a sold-out concert at the Carnegie Hall in the series of Distinctive Debuts.
Svarfvar was exposed to music from an early age since both of his parents were professional violinists. He began his violin studies with his father, Sven-Ole Svarfvar, former 1st concertmaster of the Norwegian Opera and Swedish Chamber Orchestra and moreover a respected teacher. Svarfvar's talents developed rapidly, and he made his debut as a soloist in Mendelssohn violin concerto with the Swedish chamber orchestra at the age of twelve.
Today Svarfvar Svarfvar appears as a soloist with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Orchestra, Stockholm Sinfonietta, Stockholm Royal Opera Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Norrköping Symphony, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony, to name a few.
The partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra continues in 2020. Svarfvar returns to the LPO and Abbey Road Studios at the beginning of 2020 for a longed-for recording of ReBach. The composition features the J S Bach violin concerto recomposed by Swedish composer Johan Ullén.
Conductors with whom Christian has worked include Vassily Sinaisky, Hannu Lintu, Lawrence Renes, Jorma Panula, Brett Dean, Douglas Boyd, Christopher Warren-Green and Joana Carneiro to name a few.
His playing is best defined as lyrical and fragrant, marked by a sensitive and silvery tone.
While continuing his recital performances and teaching, Christian stays committed to innovative ways of expanding classical music's social and cultural impact, Christian is actively working with various artists and organizations across a multitude of genres.
As a chamber musician, Svarfvar has performed and collaborated with such admired musicians as Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, Clemens Hagen, Tabea Zimmerman, Martin Fröst, Frans Helmersson, Maxim Rysanov, and Boris Brovtsyn.
Official Biography
Svarfvar creates the magical impression of activating his instrument by breathing over the strings rather than bowing in the traditional manner.
THE STRAD