Christoffer SUNDQVIST

Christoffer Sundqvist is one of the most renowned clarinetists of his generation.

Alongside his remarkable interpretations of classical repertoire, this Finnish musician stands out as an ambassador of Nordic contemporary music.

Over 20 works have been dedicated to him by composers such as Magnus Lindberg, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Aulis Sallinen, Sebastian Fagerlund, Markus Fagerudd, Sampo Haapamäki, Atso Almila, Olli Kortekangas, and Jukka Linkola.

He has performed as a soloist with the major Finnish orchestras as well as with the BBC Symphony, Gothenburg Symphony, Norrköping Symphony, Estonian National Symphony, Basel Symphony, and the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, under the direction of prestigious conductors such as Jukka-Pekka Saraste, John Storgårds, Sakari Oramo, Okko Kamu, Juha Kangas, Anna-Maria Helsing, and Hannu Lintu.

Passionate about chamber music, Christoffer is co-founder of the Arktinen Hysteria Brass Quintet and a long-standing member of the Plus Ensemble of Turku.

He performs regularly at major festivals such as the Helsinki Festival, Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, MärzMusik Berlin, Warsaw Autumn, and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

He collaborates closely with renowned artists such as Pekka Kuusisto, Hugo Ticciati, Thorleif Thedéen, Angela Hewitt, Oliver Triendl, Peter Bruns, Hervé Joulain, and the trio Cecilia Zilliacus / Johanna Persson / Kati Raitinen.

Since 2013, he has served as artistic director of the Jakobstad Sinfonietta and the Rusk Chamber Music Festival.

His discography includes internationally acclaimed recordings, notably the clarinet concertos by Sebastian Fagerlund (Göteborg Symphony), Aulis Sallinen, Peter Eötvös, and Carl Nielsen (Finnish Radio Symphony), released on BIS Records and Alba Records, both awarded the EMMA prize.

Upcoming, Ondine Records plans to record the clarinet concerto by Erkki-Sven Tüür as well as a double violin-clarinet concerto with Pekka Kuusisto and the Finnish Radio Symphony. Additionally, CPO Records will produce a complete recording of the four clarinet concertos by Louis Spohr with the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover.

Winner of the Crusell Clarinet Competition (2002) and the Juvenalia Chamber Music Competition, Christoffer has been principal clarinetist of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra since 2005. He also teaches clarinet at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Born in Stockholm, Christoffer grew up in Finland and began his musical studies at the Jakobstad Conservatory with Bernhard Nylund.

He graduated from the Sibelius Academy under Anna-Maija Korsima, then continued his training at the Basel Music Academy with François Benda.

His teachers also include Hans Rudolf Stalder, Guy Deplus, Charles Neidich, and several leading figures in chamber music.