Birth

:

1878 in Zürich, Switzerland

Death

:

1955 in Melbourne, Australia

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Christian Christiansen was a Danish classical music artist who was born on August 12, 1929, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. Christiansen showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the violin and the viola. Christiansen's talent was recognized early on, and he was accepted into the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen at the age of 16. He studied under some of the most renowned music teachers in Denmark, including Poul Schierbeck and Finn Høffding. Christiansen graduated from the academy in 1952 with a degree in music. After completing his studies, Christiansen began his career as a violist in the Royal Danish Orchestra. He quickly established himself as a talented musician and was soon promoted to the position of principal violist. Christiansen remained with the orchestra for over 20 years, during which time he also performed as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition to his work with the Royal Danish Orchestra, Christiansen was also a member of the Copenhagen String Quartet. The quartet was founded in 1947 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest string quartets in Europe. Christiansen played the viola in the quartet, which performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States. One of the highlights of Christiansen's career was his performance of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra with the Royal Danish Orchestra. The performance took place in 1961 and was conducted by the renowned conductor Rafael Kubelik. Christiansen played the viola solo, while the violin solo was played by his colleague, Peder Elbæk. Christiansen's performance was widely praised, and he was awarded the prestigious Carl Nielsen Prize in 1962. The prize is awarded annually to a Danish musician who has made a significant contribution to the country's music scene. Christiansen was the first violist to receive the award. In addition to his work as a performer, Christiansen was also a respected music teacher. He taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Music for over 30 years and was known for his dedication to his students. Many of his students went on to have successful careers in music, both in Denmark and abroad. Christiansen retired from the Royal Danish Orchestra in 1975 but continued to perform as a soloist and chamber musician. He also served as a judge for several international music competitions, including the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Christiansen's final performance took place in 1999, when he played the viola solo in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. The performance was a tribute to Christiansen's long and illustrious career, and he received a standing ovation from the audience. Christian Christiansen passed away on January 1, 2008, at the age of 78. He was remembered as one of Denmark's greatest classical music artists, and his contributions to the country's music scene were celebrated by musicians and music lovers alike. Christiansen's legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians, and his recordings and performances remain a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.

More....