Christian Svarfvar

Christian Svarfvar (born 1982) is a Swedish violinist. He has recorded three albums with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and performed as a soloist at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Musikverein, the Concertgebouw and the Cité de la Musique. In December 2024 he appeared as violin soloist at the Nobel Prize Banquet in Stockholm.

Early life and education

Svarfvar was born in Sweden in 1982. His father, Sven-Ole Svarfvar, was a former first concertmaster of the Norwegian Opera and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York under Robert Mann, graduating with a master's degree in 2005. The nomination led to recitals at halls including the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and the Cité de la Musique in Paris.

From 2007 to 2013, he was a member of the Swedish contemporary music ensemble NEO, with which he participated in the premieres of more than 100 works. In December 2024 he appeared as violin soloist at the Nobel Prize Banquet at Stockholm City Hall, performing alongside Laleh in a programme with newly composed music.

Recordings

Svarfvar's debut album, featuring the three Grieg Violin Sonatas, was released on Sterling Records.

His 2018 recording of Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 and Stenhammar's Violin Sonata, made with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Joana Carneiro, was released on Rubicon Classics.

In 2023 he released The Symphonic Touch of Benny Andersson on Naxos, a collection of symphonic arrangements by Anders Berglund of compositions by ABBA member Benny Andersson, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.