Martin Fröst
Martin Fröst (born 14 December 1970) is a Swedish clarinetist and conductor. He is currently principal conductor of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
Martin Fröst | |
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![]() At Hindsgavl Festival, Denmark 2017 | |
Background information | |
Born | Sundsvall, Sweden | 14 December 1970
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Clarinetist |
Instruments | Clarinet |
Labels | BIS,[1] Sony |
Website | martinfrost |
Early life and education
Fröst was born in Sundsvall, Sweden.[2] As a youth, Fröst began musical studies on violin at age 5. At age 8, he started to learn the clarinet.[3] He studied with Hans Deinzer in Germany and Sölve Kingstedt and Kjell-Inge Stevensson in Stockholm.
Career
Fröst's work in contemporary music includes collaborations with Anders Hillborg, Krzysztof Penderecki, Kalevi Aho, Rolf Martinsson, Bent Sørensen, Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Karin Rehnqvist and Sven-David Sandström. In May 2014, he received the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, the first clarinetist so honoured.[4]
Fröst was artistic leader of the Vinterfest music festival for 10 seasons, concluding his tenure in 2015.[5] He became joint artistic director of the Stavanger International Chamber Music Festival in 2010, and served in that until 2015.[6] He has been a conductor-in-association with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. In May 2017, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra announced the appointment of Fröst as its next principal conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 3 seasons.[7]
In the United States, in October 2014, Fröst first appeared with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO). Based on this concert, in November 2014, the SPCO named Fröst one of its Artistic Partners, effective with the 2015–2016 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.[8] He was to have made his first appearance in the post in November 2015, but was unable to perform due to Meniere's Disease.[9] The effects of the ailment delayed Fröst's appearances as an SPCO artistic partner until February 2017.[10]
Personal life
Fröst and his family live in Stockholm, Sweden.
Albums
- Penderecki (CD-652, 1994)
- French Beauties and Swedish Beasts (CD-693, 1994)
- Close Up (CD-744, 1997)
- 'Hekas! – Östgöta Symphonic Wind Ensemble (CD-818, 1997)
- Clarinet Concertos dedicated to Benny Goodman (CD-893, 1998)
- The Pied Piper of the Opera – Opera paraphrases on the clarinet (CD-1053, 2000)
- James MacMillan – The Confession of Isobel Gowdie (CD-1169, 2002)
- Mozart – Clarinet Concerto & Quintet (SACD 1283, 2003)
- Schumann – Works for Clarinet & Piano (CD-944, 2003)
- Holmboe – Concertos for Piano, Clarinet and Oboe; Beatus Parvo (CD-1176, 2004)
- Brahms – Clarinet Sonatas & Trio (SACD-1353, 2005)[11]
- Karin Rehnqvist – Arktis Arktis! (CD-1396, 2005)
- Weber – Clarinet Concertos (SACD-1523, 2006)
- Nielsen & Aho Clarinet Concertos (SACD-1463, 2007)
- Christopher Rouse – Orchestral Music (CD-1386, 2008)
- Crusell – The Three Clarinet Concertos (SACD-1723, 2008)
- Fröst & Friends (SACD-1823, 2010)
- Martin Fröst – Dances to a Black Pipe (SACD-1863, 2011)
- Martin Fröst – Plays Mozart (SACD-1893, 2013)
- Martin Fröst – Roots (Sony, 2015)[12]
- Martin Fröst – Vivaldi (Sony, 2020)
Awards
- 1st Prize Geneva Competition (1997)
- Nippon Music Award (1997)
- Litteris et Artibus (2012)
- The Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter's Culture Award (Swedish)
- Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award 2003
- BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist 2003–2005
- Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2014
References
- "BIS". Bis.se.
- Brug, Manuel (13 February 2016). "Ich habe alles gespielt". Die Welt (in German). Berlin. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- George Loomis (31 August 2014). "A Clarinet Virtuoso on a Quest for New Experiences". New York Times. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- "Martin Fröst Receives The Léonie Sonning Music Prize For 2014" (Press release). Harrison Parrott. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- Rebecca Schmid (10 February 2015). "Vinterfest, Dalarna, Sweden — review". Financial Times. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- Solveig Grødem Sandelson (18 August 2015). "Jan Bjøranger overtar etter Martin Fröst". Aftenbladet. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- "Martin Fröst blir ny Chefsdirigent för Svenska Kammarorkestern" (Press release). Swedish Chamber Orchestra. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- "Martin Fröst named as SPCO Artistic Partner" (Press release). Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- Graydon Royce (3 November 2015). "Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst cancels planned debut with St. Paul Chamber Orchestra". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- Rob Hubbard (11 February 2017). "Martin Frost and his clarinet make a warm return to the SPCO". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- Andrew Clements (21 August 2014). "Brahms: Clarinet Quintet; Clarinet Trio; etc review – high-class playing from Martin Fröst and ensemble". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- Erica Jeal (4 February 2016). "Martin Fröst: Roots CD review – persuasive performances". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
External links
- Martin Fröst's official website
- Harrison Parrott agency biography of Martin Fröst
- Svensk Konsertdirektion AB agency biography of Martin Fröst
- Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra biography of Martin Fröst
- 'Facing the music: Martin Fröst'. The Guardian, 2 February 2015
- Jim Farber, 'Martin Fröst: The Color of Clarinet'. San Francisco Classical Voice blog, 6 June 2012
Cultural offices | ||
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Preceded by Thomas Dausgaard |
Principal Conductor, Swedish Chamber Orchestra 2019–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |