Lars Bjørnkjaer

Lars Bjørnkjær, was born in 1968 in Los Angeles, but grew up in Aarhus , Denmark. He received his first lessons at the age of 6 from Tove Detreköy. He was accepted at the Jutland Music Conservatory at the age of 13 to study with Prof. Henrik Sachsenskjold. Subsequent teachers included Viktor Liberman in Holland and with Sally Thomas and Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.

Lars Bjørnkjær was appointed 1. Concertmaster of the Royal Danish Orchestra (Det Kongelige Kapel) in 1993.

As a soloist Lars Bjørnkjær has performed a large number of violin concertos with most orchestras in Denmark and with orchestras abroad. As well as the standard repertory concertos, he has performed those by Poul Ruders, Herman D. Koppel and Paganini’s concerto No. 1.

As a chambermusician, he has toured all over the world. Lars Bjørnkjær gave his debut as a conductor with the Royal Danish Chamber Orchestra in 2000.

His recent cd, featuring late romantic violinconcertos by Johan Svendsen and P.E. Lange-Müller, received praise in The Strad Magazine for ” Bjørnkjær’s glorious singing tone” and “highly eloquent phrasing”. ” This violinist devoted vehemence almost convinces us that it is a lost masterpiece” ( Svendsen)

Lars Bjørnkjær plays the 1714 Stradivarius ” Yoldi-Moldenhauer”.

He was knighted by Queen Margrethe in 1998.

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    “The 2009 WBIMF provided a great setting for really talented artists to come and make music together. From the facility and environment, to the great selection of repertoire, WBIMF provided a great opportunity for artists to practice, rehearse and perform. I have confidence that students and faculty that attend this year (2010) will find the festival a great place to come back to in the summer and be exposed to some of the best musicians in this country.”

    —Adriana Linares, Violist, 2009 and 2010 WBIMF artist/faculty member