CHRISTIAN
SVARFVAR
VIOLINIST
About
Swedish violinist Christian Svarfvar is a celebrated musician recognized for being one of Scandinavia's most accomplished and versatile violinists with a track record of performing all the major violin concertos alongside prestigious orchestras. He has recorded multiple albums, including three solo albums in partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
With a deep-rooted passion for music and remarkable versatility, Svarfvar stands as one of the Nordic country's most cherished musical talents.
His artistry resonates far and wide, having performed in prestigious venues across the globe, including solo performances at iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Cité de la Musique, Kölner Philharmonie, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Bozar, Seoul Art Center, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Luxembourg Philharmonie and Megaron, Athen.
Nurtured in a household of musicians, Svarfvar's journey began under the guidance of his father, Sven-Ole Svarfvar, former 1st Concertmaster of the Norwegian Opera and Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
At a mere twelve years old, Svarfvar made his solo debut with the Mendelssohn violin concerto alongside the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. This key moment marked the inception of a journey that would see Svarfvar continue his musical education.
Building upon this early success, Svarfvar embarked on a path of rigorous musical training. He further honed his craft through studies at the Stockholm Royal College of Music and the esteemed Juilliard School in New York. These institutions provided Svarfvar with world-class training, enriching his musical foundation and preparing him for a career defined by virtuosity and artistic merit.
Musical mastership, virtuosic control, and sensibility equally mastered.
LUXEMBOURG WORT
Svarfvar's career reached new heights with his jubilant Stockholm debut, where he performed the Carl Nielsen violin concerto alongside the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, conducted by Hannu Lintu.
Following this success, Christian was appointed "rising star" by the European Concert Hall Organization (ECHO). This prestigious recognition catapulted him onto the world's most esteemed concert stages, including iconic venues like the Concertgebouw, Musikverein, Bozar, and Cité de la Musique. His debut recital at New York's Carnegie Hall, as part of the Distinctive Debuts series, solidified his reputation as a captivating performer.
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.
His engagements span a distinguished spectrum of orchestras, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Stockholm Sinfonietta, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Vaasa City Orchestra, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra, Istanbul Philharmonic and Swedish Radio Symphony, among others.
Svarfvar's repertoire extends beyond traditional perimeters, collaborating with contemporary composers such as Howard Shore, Chaya Czernowin, Anders Hillborg, and Kaija Saariaho.
One example is his world-premiere performance of Howard Shore's violin concerto "Eastern Promises," which was conducted by Shore himself and performed with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Shore is a three-time Oscar-winning composer known for his work on films such as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit."
His dreamy approach is mesmeric. His tone gleams, and the way he tugs yearningly on the leading tones draws one in. Svarfvar's playing radiates tenderness.
ANDREW FARACH-COLTON, GRAMOPHONE
Svarfvar's recording boasts a catalog that showcases his artistry and versatility.
His most recent album, "The Symphonic Touch of Benny Andersson" (2023), a symphonic reimagining of curated compositions by Benny Andersson, arranged by Anders Berglund and recorded together with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, received an unprecedented level of media attention for a classical musician. This acclaim resonated not only in Sweden but also reached international audiences.
"Christian Svarfvar and pianist Roland Pöntinen, whose sense of French chamber music is currently unparalleled among Swedish musicians" (Dagens Nyheter), have captivated both critics and audiences with their nuanced interpretations of works by Fauré, Ravel, and Debussy.
Their collaborative efforts have earned widespread acclaim, culminating in accolades such as "Recording of the Year” by Dagens Nyheter, Sweden's largest and most influential newspaper."
The Strad described it as “Breathtaking performances” and called it “An outstanding release.”
Svarfvar's rendition of the Grieg violin sonatas garnered high praise from prominent publications, with the chief critic of the Financial Times hailing:
"Pure pleasure, buoyed by Svarfvar’s fearless expression, rock-solid technique, and stylistic acumen. This gifted violinist has done us – and
Grieg – a big favour, and we must hear more from him."
His recent groundbreaking release, the J.S. Bach Violin Concertos recomposed (Infinite Bach) by Johan Ullén, recorded with the London Philharmonic in Abbey Road Studios - garnered international acclaim and millions of streams shortly after its release.
Christian consistently pushes the boundaries of classical music's impact on society and culture. He frequently seeks out unique collaborations with artists and organizations from a wide range of genres, all with the aim of expanding the reach and relevance of classical music in the modern world.
In 2016, he was awarded the Stockholm Culture Award for his dedication and artistic contributions to the Swedish music scene.
Christian plays on a Sanctus Seraphin 1736 on an extended loan to him by the Järnåker Foundation.
INNOVATION
