Christian Winther Christensen
Photo: Mette Kramer Kristensen

Christian Winther Christensen

(1977-)

Portrait of Christian Winther Christensen

Christian Winther Christensen has his own unmistakable style and manifests himself as a completely contemporary composer pushing the boundaries, while at the same time relating to music history through quotations and intimations that comment on, create ironic distance, turn on it’s head and give new music a completely new dimension.

He is an example of the wave of younger composers in Europe that have each found their own musical language. Together they form the frame for a completely new way of composing and being a composer that no longer leans up against the composers of the 20th century. “The new streams give a certain freshness. Of course I am influenced by the older generation since it is them I have immersed myself in. I know all of Lachenmann and Ligeti’s works but what I am really inspired by is now my own generation”, says Winther Christensen. As much as Christian Winther Christensen is inspired by his own generation of composers, he too in turn influences the tendencies of his time through his works. 


Christian Winther Christensen studied composition at the Royal Danish Conservatory with Bent Sørensen, Niels Rosing-Schow, Hans Abrahamsen and Hans-Peter Stubbe Teglbjærg as well as at the Paris Conservatoire with Frédéric Durieux.

His music has been performed by a long series of ensembles and orchestras such as Danish National Symphony Orchestra (DK), SWR Sinfoniorchestra (DE, )Ensemble Mosaik (DE), Ensemble Recherche (DE), London Sinfonietta (GB), Distractfold Ensemble (GB), DissonArt Ensemble (GR), Curious Chamber Player (SE), Defunensemble (FI), Uusinta Ensemble (FI), Oslo Sinfonietta (NO), Ensemble Aleph (FR), Ensemble Alternance (FR), Ensemble 2e2m (FR), Athelas Sinfonietta (DK) & SCENATET (DK).  

His works have been played at the Tage für Neue Musik (DE), MATA Festival (USA), KLANGSPUREN (AT), ISCM Festival, Festival di Nuova Musica (IT), Nordic Music Days, UNM Festival, SPOR (DK), Athelas New Music Festival (DK), PULSAR (DK), G((o))ng Tomorrow (DK).

Winther Christensen has received Akademie der Künste's Kunstpreis Berlin (2020), the H.C. Lumbye/Agerby grant (2019), Léonie Sonning's Talent Prize, the Schierbeck Prize and work grants from the Danish Arts Foundation.

Selected Works:
Piano Concerto (2018)
Sextet (2010-2014)
Chromatische Weltmusik (2013)
Concerto for a Movie Loop (2012)
Festmusik - mit japanischem Geist und deutschem Akzent (2010)
Being Apu Sarkar (2009)

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

    Bass clarinet, trumpet, 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

    2-6 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. Nominees for the Carl Prize 2023

    nominations / awards

    Nominees for the Carl Prize 2023

  2. Christian Winther Christensen at Donaueschinger Musiktage

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen at Donaueschinger Musiktage

  3. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

    general

    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

  1. reviews

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

  2. Winther Christensen and Rohloff at Ultraschall Berlin

    general

    Winther Christensen and Rohloff at Ultraschall Berlin

  3. Upcoming performances 2022

    general

    Upcoming performances 2022

  4. Piano Concertos in radio feature

    general

    Piano Concertos in radio feature

  5. World premieres at SPOR festival

    general

    World premieres at SPOR festival

  6. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    nominations / awards

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  7. Digital Concert Series

    general

    Digital Concert Series

  8. 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

  9. Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

    general

    Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

  10. Christian Winther Christensen · Seismograf interview

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen · Seismograf interview

  11. Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

    general

    Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

  12. Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland

    general

    Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland

  13. Christian Winther Christensen to receive Kunstpreis Berlin

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen to receive Kunstpreis Berlin

  14. Viola Concerto reviewed · Christian Winther Christensen

    general

    Viola Concerto reviewed · Christian Winther Christensen

  15. Christian Winther Christensen · Viola Concerto · World Premiere

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen · Viola Concerto · World Premiere

  16. Danish/Korean Festival Collaboration

    general

    Danish/Korean Festival Collaboration

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

    general

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

  18. Great reviews of Winther Christensen's Piano Concerto

    general

    Great reviews of Winther Christensen's Piano Concerto

  19. Reviews and nomination for Winther Christensen

    general

    Reviews and nomination for Winther Christensen

  20. Christian Winther Christensen broadcasts

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen broadcasts

  21. Danish focus at Cairo Contemporary Music Days

    general

    Danish focus at Cairo Contemporary Music Days

  22. Great album reviews for Winther Christensen

    general

    Great album reviews for Winther Christensen

  23. Christian Winther Christensen premiered at ECLAT Festival

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen premiered at ECLAT Festival

  24. Winther Christensen and Steen-Andersen in Luxembourg

    general

    Winther Christensen and Steen-Andersen in Luxembourg

  25. Upcoming Winther Christensen album

    general

    Upcoming Winther Christensen album

  26. Dance party with CW Christensen world premiere

    general

    Dance party with CW Christensen world premiere

  27. Lenio Liatsou premieres Winther Christensen pieces

    general

    Lenio Liatsou premieres Winther Christensen pieces

  28. Christensen and Steen-Andersen at Kontraklang

    general

    Christensen and Steen-Andersen at Kontraklang

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

    general

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

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

    general

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

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

    general

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

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

    general

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

  33. American praise for Chorale by Winther Christensen

    general

    American praise for Chorale by Winther Christensen

  34. Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

    general

    Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

  35. SPOR Festival presents “Chorale” by Winther Christensen

    general

    SPOR Festival presents “Chorale” by Winther Christensen

  36. All-in on solo cello at CPH LiteraturHaus

    general

    All-in on solo cello at CPH LiteraturHaus

  37. Leading New York festival features Holmen and Christensen

    general

    Leading New York festival features Holmen and Christensen

  38. New composer portraits

    general

    New composer portraits

  39. Enigmatic premiere and more at Suså

    general

    Enigmatic premiere and more at Suså

  40. Premiere of Winther Christensen piece

    general

    Premiere of Winther Christensen piece

  41. Christian Winther Christensen receives large grant

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen receives large grant

  42. PULSAR concerts praised by critics

    general

    PULSAR concerts praised by critics

  43. Chromatische Weltmusik at PULSAR

    general

    Chromatische Weltmusik at PULSAR

  44. Upcoming Performances

    general

    Upcoming Performances

  45. DYGONG Mass in Copenhagen Cathedral

    general

    DYGONG Mass in Copenhagen Cathedral

  46. Christian Winther Christensen Portrait Concert

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen Portrait Concert

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

    general

    Chromatische Weltmusik and the Ghost of Schubert at Klangspuren Festival

  48. Klangspuren Festival

    general

    Klangspuren Festival

  49. Composers’ Grand Prix

    general

    Composers’ Grand Prix

  50. The Charm of Nordic Irony

    general

    The Charm of Nordic Irony

  51. Im Blick: Dänemark – Danish Composers in Germany

    general

    Im Blick: Dänemark – Danish Composers in Germany

  52. Danish music goes to Paris

    general

    Danish music goes to Paris

  53. World premiere for Christian Winther Christensen

    general

    World premiere for Christian Winther Christensen

  54. Edition·S composers home and abroad

    general

    Edition·S composers home and abroad

  55. Edition·S composers at evening of Danish music

    general

    Edition·S composers at evening of Danish music

  56. Suså Festival 2013

    general

    Suså Festival 2013

  57. DYGONG On the Run

    general

    DYGONG On the Run

  58. SPOR Festival 2013

    general

    SPOR Festival 2013

  59. SPOR Programme Released

    general

    SPOR Programme Released

  60. Odense Symphony Orchestra Presents: {Pliiinggg…}

    general

    Odense Symphony Orchestra Presents: {Pliiinggg…}

  61. Interview {PLIIINGGG…}

    general

    Interview {PLIIINGGG…}

  62. Being Apu Sakar at Wundergrund Final Party

    general

    Being Apu Sakar at Wundergrund Final Party

  63. Christian Winther Christensen receives Schierbeck award

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen receives Schierbeck award

  64. Nordic Darkness and Electric Light

    general

    Nordic Darkness and Electric Light

  65. Edition·S invasion at Athelas next week

    general

    Edition·S invasion at Athelas next week

  66. Zoë Martlew blogs from her stay in DK

    general

    Zoë Martlew blogs from her stay in DK

  67. A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

    general

    A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

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

    general

    Two composers to be artistic managers of new music ensemble

  69. Successful DYGONG release & P2 Puls review

    general

    Successful DYGONG release & P2 Puls review

  70. Two composers featured on new CD release

    general

    Two composers featured on new CD release

  71. Invitation to DYGONG album release

    general

    Invitation to DYGONG album release

  72. Morten Olsen in prominent Swiss festival

    general

    Morten Olsen in prominent Swiss festival

  73. Edition·S at Music China in October

    general

    Edition·S at Music China in October

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

    general

    Three late summer days of art music at Suså festival

  75. Young composers at the UNM festival

    general

    Young composers at the UNM festival

  76. Dissonance featuring review of Christian Winther Christensen

    general

    Dissonance featuring review of Christian Winther Christensen

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

    general

    Christian Winther Christensen on Tage für Neue Music in Zürich

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

    general

    London Sinfonietta plays emerging stars in Copenhagen the next two days

  79. 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

  80. New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

    general

    New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

  81. Young composers performed in France

    general

    Young composers performed in France

Show More News

Calendar

  1. October 2021
  2. 9

    October

    Christian Winther Christensen: Andante Con Moto

    time19:00

    location ORF Musikprotokoll, Graz, Austria

    performed by dissonArt ensemble

  1. January 2022
  2. 20

    January

    Christian Winther Christensen: Piano Concerto

    time19:00

    location Ultraschall Berlin, Haus des Rundfunks, Berlin, Germany

    performed by Rei Nakamura, piano; Bas Wiegers, conductor; Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin

  1. October 2022
  2. 15

    October

    Christian Winther Christensen: Children's Songs

    time11:00

    location Donaueschinger Musiktage, Bartók-Saal, Donauhallen, Donaueschingen, Germany

    performed by Ensemble Ascolta