Christian Stene is an Associate Professor of Clarinet and researcher at the Grieg Academy, University of Bergen in Norway. He serves as Norway's Chairperson for the International Clarinet Association and is a Buffet Crampon and Vandoren artist. Christian was previously the principal clarinetist of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (2010 to 2022) and the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra (2007 to 2010).
As a researcher, Christian explores how the affordances of modern musical instruments influence phrasing. His artistic research project: “(Re)Phrasing—Shaping Music with Modern Instruments” expands on the phrasing challenges modern instrumentalists face.
Christian has held masterclasses on six continents at leading music institutions in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and the United States.
As a multiple award-winning soloist, he regularly appears as a guest principal clarinetist with various orchestras across the Nordic countries, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. His recordings are available as a soloist on LAWO, as a chamber musician on Classico and LAWO, and in orchestral works on Naïve, Chandos, BIS, Hyperion, Ondine, Aurora, and LAWO.
For more information and sound examples, please visit: www.christianstene.com