Christian Winther Christensen
Photo: Mette Kramer Kristensen

Christian Winther Christensen

(1977-)

Portrait of Christian Winther Christensen

Disillusioning and magical

He writes Janus-faced music, looking back and being absolutely present at the same time. Listening becomes a balancing act on a fine line, sometimes tipping in one direction, sometimes in the other. Extended preparations, playing and damping techniques turn the familiar instruments into distorted echoes and knocking signs of post-apocalyptic music after the end of music and world. But between the throbbing, scratching, stroking, blowing, rattling and hissing, suddenly there are appearing scattered figures, carefully groping rhythms, shadowy harmonies and scraps of melodies. Like the phantom pain of amputated limbs, this makes the loss of former practices all the more vividly tangible. But Christensen's compositions also unfold their own presence here and now, without nostalgic reminiscence, absurd alienation or aggressive destruction of familiar music. Beyond historical references, it opens a fascinating world of highly differentiated actions and sounds that invite us to listen carefully to that, what really sounds.

 The Danish composer, born in 1977, combines his exploration of the instrumental haptics, physicality and aura of Helmut Lachenmann's "musique concrète instrumentale" with György Ligeti's love of traditional genres and motoric apparatuses. With both he shares a dialectical relationship to tradition, which he sets and decomposes at the same time. Like Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier", his "Piano Preludes" (since 2012) are planned as 24 pieces in all major and minor keys. The "Piano Concerto" (2018) and the ensemble works "Sextet" (2010/14), "Chorale" (2006/17) and "Almost in G" (2016) sound like music automatons with broken mechanics and pneumatics, until the machinery suddenly reveals its original function again. The "Four Hyper-Realistic Songs" (2014/15) and "Children's Songs" (2022) hybridize instruments, electronics, gestures and scene. The usual causality of cause and effect is split up and replaced by new combinations. Christensen's music is thus always disillusioning and magical.

- Rainer Nonnenmann

Available Works

All categories 2-6 Instruments 7+ Instruments Orchestra

  1. Children’s Songs

    2022 • Christian Winther Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    40 minutes

    Cello, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussionists, guitar, piano

  2. In Touch

    2021 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    Piano quartet & MIDI keyboard (5 musicians)

  3. Täuschung

    2012 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    5 minutes

    Cello, accordion & live-electronics (MaxMSP)

  4. Viola Concerto

    2019 • Christian Winther Christensen

    Orchestra

    17 minutes

    2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/perc/keyb/archi + solo viola

  5. Piano Concerto

    2018 • Christian Winther Christensen

    Orchestra

    22 minutes

    Piano, midi piano, and orchestra

  6. Four Hyper-Realistic Songs

    2015 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    12 minutes

    Alto flute, bass clarinet, cello, harp & piano

  7. Pre-Air on the G String

    2013 • Christian Winther Christensen

    Orchestra

    6 minutes

    String orchestra

  8. Andante con Moto

    2010 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    alto flute, clarinet in A, inside piano, violin, viola & cello

  9. Sextet

    2014 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    Cl, trp, inside pno, vl, vla, vlc

  10. Chromatische Weltmusik

    2013 • Christian Winther Christensen

    Orchestra

    25 minutes

    Vc. solo, Acc. solo + 3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/2 perc/pno/org/archi

  11. Concerto for a Movie Loop

    2012 • Christian Winther Christensen

    Orchestra

    7 minutes

    2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/timp/2 perc/archi

  12. Festmusik

    2010 • Christian Winther Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    8 minutes

    1.1.1.0/1.1.1.0/pno/1.1.1.1.1

  13. Nachtmusik

    2011 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    8 minutes

    Alto fl, bass cl, vl, vlc, pno

  14. Being Apu Sarkar

    2009 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    Alto saxophone, piano and percussion

  15. Septet

    2009 • Christian Winther Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    12 minutes

    Bcl, bsn, cor, vl, vla, vlc, cb + video projection

  16. in my presence

    2009 • Christian Winther Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    11 minutes

    1.0.1.1/1.0.0.0/pno/live-electronics/1.0.1.1.1

  17. String Trio

    2009 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    5 minutes

    vl, vla, vlc

  18. Heiliger Dankgesang

    2006 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    2 vl, vla, vlc + electronics (max/MSP patch)

  19. A Fall from the Perfect Ground

    2006 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    15 minutes

    fl, cl, pno, vl, vla, vlc

  20. Don’t look back

    2006 • Christian Winther Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    8 minutes

    Bcl, Btrb, pno, vl, vlc

  21. The Deconstruction of my Shadow

    2006 • Christian Winther Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    9 minutes

    1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/perc/arpa/pno/1.1.1.1.1




Advanced works search

News

  1. Talk with Christian Winther Christensen, Christina Åstrand and Henrik Friis

    general

    Talk with Christian Winther Christensen, Christina Åstrand and Henrik Friis

  2. Winther Christensen at ECLAT

    general

    Winther Christensen at ECLAT

  3. Danish music in Bergen

    general

    Danish music in Bergen

  1. Contemporary Orchestral Highlights

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    Contemporary Orchestral Highlights

  2. Christian Winther Christensen at Warsaw Autumn

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    Christian Winther Christensen at Warsaw Autumn

  3. Klang Festival 2024

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    Klang Festival 2024

  4. Morten Ladehoff World Premiere

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    Morten Ladehoff World Premiere

  5. Edition·S at November Music

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    Edition·S at November Music

  6. Edition·S at KLANG 2023

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    Edition·S at KLANG 2023

  7. Winther Christensen receives Carl Prisen 2023

    nominations / awards

    Winther Christensen receives Carl Prisen 2023

  8. Nominees for the Carl Prize 2023

    nominations / awards

    Nominees for the Carl Prize 2023

  9. Christian Winther Christensen at Donaueschinger Musiktage

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen at Donaueschinger Musiktage

  10. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

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    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

  11. reviews

    "Reformulation of the genre" Winther Christensen's Piano Concerto reviewed

  12. Winther Christensen and Rohloff at Ultraschall Berlin

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    Winther Christensen and Rohloff at Ultraschall Berlin

  13. Upcoming performances 2022

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    Upcoming performances 2022

  14. Piano Concertos in radio feature

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    Piano Concertos in radio feature

  15. World premieres at SPOR festival

    general

    World premieres at SPOR festival

  16. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    nominations / awards

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  17. Digital Concert Series

    general

    Digital Concert Series

  18. Edition·S works on The Danish Arts Foundation's playlist of recommended works

    general

    Edition·S works on The Danish Arts Foundation's playlist of recommended works

  19. Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

    general

    Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

  20. Christian Winther Christensen · Seismograf interview

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    Christian Winther Christensen · Seismograf interview

  21. Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

    general

    Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

  22. Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland

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    Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland

  23. Christian Winther Christensen to receive Kunstpreis Berlin

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    Christian Winther Christensen to receive Kunstpreis Berlin

  24. Viola Concerto reviewed · Christian Winther Christensen

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    Viola Concerto reviewed · Christian Winther Christensen

  25. Christian Winther Christensen · Viola Concerto · World Premiere

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen · Viola Concerto · World Premiere

  26. Danish/Korean Festival Collaboration

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    Danish/Korean Festival Collaboration

  27. Christian Winther Christensen receives the H.C. Lumbye/Agerby grant

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen receives the H.C. Lumbye/Agerby grant

  28. Great reviews of Winther Christensen's Piano Concerto

    general

    Great reviews of Winther Christensen's Piano Concerto

  29. Reviews and nomination for Winther Christensen

    general

    Reviews and nomination for Winther Christensen

  30. Christian Winther Christensen broadcasts

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen broadcasts

  31. Danish focus at Cairo Contemporary Music Days

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    Danish focus at Cairo Contemporary Music Days

  32. Great album reviews for Winther Christensen

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    Great album reviews for Winther Christensen

  33. Christian Winther Christensen premiered at ECLAT Festival

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    Christian Winther Christensen premiered at ECLAT Festival

  34. Winther Christensen and Steen-Andersen in Luxembourg

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    Winther Christensen and Steen-Andersen in Luxembourg

  35. Upcoming Winther Christensen album

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    Upcoming Winther Christensen album

  36. Dance party with CW Christensen world premiere

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    Dance party with CW Christensen world premiere

  37. Lenio Liatsou premieres Winther Christensen pieces

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    Lenio Liatsou premieres Winther Christensen pieces

  38. Christensen and Steen-Andersen at Kontraklang

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    Christensen and Steen-Andersen at Kontraklang

  39. Mise-en performs C.W.C., Worsaae and Glerup in New York

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    Mise-en performs C.W.C., Worsaae and Glerup in New York

  40. We’re off to Nordic Music Days (in London, unusually)

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    We’re off to Nordic Music Days (in London, unusually)

  41. Suså Festival’s 25th anniversary packed with Edition·S works

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    Suså Festival’s 25th anniversary packed with Edition·S works

  42. Glerup, Løffler and C.W. Christensen ready for Hindsgavl

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    Glerup, Løffler and C.W. Christensen ready for Hindsgavl

  43. American praise for Chorale by Winther Christensen

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    American praise for Chorale by Winther Christensen

  44. Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

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    Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

  45. SPOR Festival presents “Chorale” by Winther Christensen

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    SPOR Festival presents “Chorale” by Winther Christensen

  46. All-in on solo cello at CPH LiteraturHaus

    general

    All-in on solo cello at CPH LiteraturHaus

  47. Leading New York festival features Holmen and Christensen

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    Leading New York festival features Holmen and Christensen

  48. New composer portraits

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    New composer portraits

  49. Enigmatic premiere and more at Suså

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    Enigmatic premiere and more at Suså

  50. Premiere of Winther Christensen piece

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    Premiere of Winther Christensen piece

  51. Christian Winther Christensen receives large grant

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    Christian Winther Christensen receives large grant

  52. PULSAR concerts praised by critics

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    PULSAR concerts praised by critics

  53. Chromatische Weltmusik at PULSAR

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    Chromatische Weltmusik at PULSAR

  54. Upcoming Performances

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    Upcoming Performances

  55. DYGONG Mass in Copenhagen Cathedral

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    DYGONG Mass in Copenhagen Cathedral

  56. Christian Winther Christensen Portrait Concert

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    Christian Winther Christensen Portrait Concert

  57. Chromatische Weltmusik and the Ghost of Schubert at Klangspuren Festival

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    Chromatische Weltmusik and the Ghost of Schubert at Klangspuren Festival

  58. Klangspuren Festival

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    Klangspuren Festival

  59. Composers’ Grand Prix

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    Composers’ Grand Prix

  60. The Charm of Nordic Irony

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    The Charm of Nordic Irony

  61. Im Blick: Dänemark – Danish Composers in Germany

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    Im Blick: Dänemark – Danish Composers in Germany

  62. Danish music goes to Paris

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    Danish music goes to Paris

  63. World premiere for Christian Winther Christensen

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    World premiere for Christian Winther Christensen

  64. Edition·S composers home and abroad

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    Edition·S composers home and abroad

  65. Edition·S composers at evening of Danish music

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    Edition·S composers at evening of Danish music

  66. Suså Festival 2013

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    Suså Festival 2013

  67. DYGONG On the Run

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    DYGONG On the Run

  68. SPOR Festival 2013

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    SPOR Festival 2013

  69. SPOR Programme Released

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    SPOR Programme Released

  70. Odense Symphony Orchestra Presents: {Pliiinggg…}

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    Odense Symphony Orchestra Presents: {Pliiinggg…}

  71. Interview {PLIIINGGG…}

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    Interview {PLIIINGGG…}

  72. Being Apu Sakar at Wundergrund Final Party

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    Being Apu Sakar at Wundergrund Final Party

  73. Christian Winther Christensen receives Schierbeck award

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    Christian Winther Christensen receives Schierbeck award

  74. Nordic Darkness and Electric Light

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    Nordic Darkness and Electric Light

  75. Edition·S invasion at Athelas next week

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    Edition·S invasion at Athelas next week

  76. Zoë Martlew blogs from her stay in DK

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    Zoë Martlew blogs from her stay in DK

  77. A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

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    A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

  78. Two composers to be artistic managers of new music ensemble

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    Two composers to be artistic managers of new music ensemble

  79. Successful DYGONG release & P2 Puls review

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    Successful DYGONG release & P2 Puls review

  80. Two composers featured on new CD release

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    Two composers featured on new CD release

  81. Invitation to DYGONG album release

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    Invitation to DYGONG album release

  82. Morten Olsen in prominent Swiss festival

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    Morten Olsen in prominent Swiss festival

  83. Edition·S at Music China in October

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    Edition·S at Music China in October

  84. Three late summer days of art music at Suså festival

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    Three late summer days of art music at Suså festival

  85. Young composers at the UNM festival

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    Young composers at the UNM festival

  86. Dissonance featuring review of Christian Winther Christensen

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    Dissonance featuring review of Christian Winther Christensen

  87. Christian Winther Christensen on Tage für Neue Music in Zürich

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    Christian Winther Christensen on Tage für Neue Music in Zürich

  88. London Sinfonietta plays emerging stars in Copenhagen the next two days

    general

    London Sinfonietta plays emerging stars in Copenhagen the next two days

  89. Svend Hvidtfelt Nielsen and Christian Winther Christensen on ISCM Festival this week

    general

    Svend Hvidtfelt Nielsen and Christian Winther Christensen on ISCM Festival this week

  90. New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

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    New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

  91. Young composers performed in France

    general

    Young composers performed in France

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