Christian Karlsen

A protégé of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Christian Karlsen is among Scandinavia's most visible and innovative conductors. He is equally recognized for his work in traditional orchestral repertory and in contemporary music. Karlsen co-founded the New European Ensemble and remained its artistic director until 2014. From 2015 to 2017, he directed the Dag in de Branding festival in The Hague. In 2021, Karlsen made his recording debut in works by Francisco Coll and Pete Harden. The 2025 recording Chaya Czernowin: Seltene Erde & Atara with the chamber group Klangforum Wien and the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien appeared on the Kairos label.