Karlsen, Christian :: person

Object description

"Christian Karlsen (Sweden, 1985) is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most gifted conductors of his generation.

 

Based in the Netherlands, he has worked most of the country’s orchestras incl. the Hague, Eindhoven, Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestras, the Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. He is also a regular guest of the ASKO|Schönberg Ensemble. Equally in demand in the UK, Germany, Austria and Scandinavia, recent highlights include debuts with Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

Other highlights this year are his participation in the Darmstadt International Music Festival with Stockhausen’s legendary work Carré, Schönberg’s opera Erwartung and Mahler’s 10th Symphony in Amsterdam and the opening of the Gaudeamus Festival. As part of the Umeå European Capital of Culture he conducted the new productions Saiyah by Benjamin Staern and Nox Borealis by Kaija Saariaho at the Norrland Opera. He has worked with the Göteborg Symphony Orchestra and various other Scandinavian ensembles.

 

In 2008 Karlsen co-founded the New European Ensemble and remained artistic director and principal conductor until 2014. Some of his most critically acclaimed productions include Hans Werner Henze’s Voices (with Amnesty International), Strange News by Rolf Wallin (with the International Criminal Court) and a Schönberg-Maxwell Davies double bill together with New Opera Amsterdam.

 

In 2011 he was the artistic director of the large Kaija Saariaho festival in the Hague (with Residentie Orkest, New European Ensemble and the Royal Conservatoire). He also led festivals around Arnold Schönberg (2009) and Magnus Lindberg (2013-14).

 

In 2016 he was appointed Artistic coordinator and artist in residence of the Festival Dag in de Branding.

 

Having always been a strong advocate for the music of our time, he has led numerous world premieres and collaborated with leading composers as Kaija Saariaho, Salvatore Sciarrino, Sofia Gubaidulina, Magnus Lindberg, Mark Anthony Turnage and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He previously worked as assistant to Esa Pekka Salonen (Philharmonia Orchestra) and with Jac van Steen at the Dortmund Opera. Christian Karlsen studied at the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague."