CHRISTIAN
SVARFVAR
VIOLINIST
About
Swedish violinist Christian Svarfvar has performed the great violin concertos with major orchestras around the world and recorded extensively, including three acclaimed albums with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Among the highlights of his career is giving the world premiere of Howard Shore’s violin concerto Eastern Promises together with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic — a collaboration with the three-time Academy Award-winning composer, who conducted the performance himself.
From Carnegie Hall and the Musikverein to the Concertgebouw, Cité de la Musique, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Seoul Art Center and Megaron in Athens, his artistry has been heard on the world’s most distinguished stages.
Critics describe his performances as “mesmeric,” with a tone that “gleams” and playing that radiates “fearless expression” and “rock-solid technique.” (Gramophone, Financial Times)
Raised in a family of musicians, Svarfvar began his studies under his father, Sven-Ole Svarfvar, former Concertmaster of both the Norwegian Opera and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
At twelve, he made his solo debut performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
He went on to study at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and at The Juilliard School in New York.
His Stockholm debut — performing Nielsen’s Violin Concerto with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic under Hannu Lintu — led to his being named a Rising Star by the European Concert Hall Organization (ECHO), bringing him to the Concertgebouw, Musikverein, Bozar and Cité de la Musique.
His debut recital at Carnegie Hall, as part of the Distinctive Debuts series, established his reputation as a communicative and compelling performer.
Musical mastership, virtuosic control, and sensibility equally mastered.
LUXEMBOURG WORT
As a chamber musician, Svarfvar has shared the stage with Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, Clemens Hagen, Tabea Zimmermann, Martin Fröst, Frans Helmerson, Maxim Rysanov and Boris Brovtsyn.
His orchestral engagements have included the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Nordic Chamber Orchestra, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra, Filarmónica de Bogotá, Japan New Philharmonic, Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Helsingborg, Malmö, Norrköping and Ostrobothnia.
His repertoire extends beyond the standard canon through collaborations with Howard Shore, Chaya Czernowin, Anders Hillborg and Kaija Saariaho.
His most recent release, The Symphonic Touch of Benny Andersson (Naxos, 2023) — symphonic arrangements by Anders Berglund, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra — received exceptional media attention, reaching audiences well beyond the classical world.
With pianist Roland Pöntinen, described by Dagens Nyheter as “currently unparalleled among Swedish musicians” in their sense of French chamber music, Svarfvar has earned widespread critical acclaim for their interpretations of Fauré, Ravel and Debussy — including Recording of the Year from Dagens Nyheter and praise from The Strad: “Breathtaking performances. An outstanding release.”
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
His recording of the Grieg Violin Sonatas drew this from the Financial Times:
“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.”
— Andrew Clarke, Financial Times
His recording of Bach’s Violin Concertos — reimagined by Johan Ullén and recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios — has garnered millions of streams and critical acclaim worldwide.
In 2016, he received the Stockholm Culture Award.
He performs on a 1736 Sanctus Seraphin violin, on loan from the Järnåker Foundation.
INNOVATION
