Carl-Johan Stjernström

Carl-Johan Stjernström has held the position of Bass Clarinet at the Malmö Symphony Orchestra since 1999. Prior to joining the MSO, he excited audiences as a member of Ars Nova, a contemporary music ensemble. They caught the attention of many composers who created new works for them to debut. During his time with Ars Nova, Carl-Johan released his eponymous CD recording of 20th Century French and Swedish compositions with the brilliant pianist Mikael Kanarva (1997, Intim Music).

Today, Carl-Johan Stjernström is much in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. One may see his concerts throughout his native Scandinavia, France, Poland, Germany and the United States. His skills as a virtuosic musician and his pleasing way with audiences and colleagues alike led him to join the Newport Music Family in 2004, in association with the largest chamber music festival in the United States, the Newport Music Festival. One of his favorite collaborations over the last fifteen years has come through concerts with the renowned french pianist Alain Jacquon.

Education and mentorship of young musicians has been part of Carl-Johan's professional life since 1999. He has conducted numerous master classes internationally. He has instructed the Bass Clarinet at the Malmö Academy of Music and at the Malmö Latin School, even creating and leading an exchange program between his students in Malmö and the Conservatoire de Lyon.

Few musical experiences are as satisfying to Carl-Johan as debuting new works by composers who have written especially for him. In 2005, he premiered Folke Carlsson's clarinet concerto, Suit for clarinet and string orchestra. In 2019 he will have the honor and delight of premiering Geoffrey Gordon's Prometheus for Bass Clarinet with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marc Soustrot.

There is one other treasured musical experience for Carl-Johan Stjernström that rivals the thrill of a World Premiere. Since summer 2018, he has loved playing his Henri SELMER Privilege 'Black Edition' Bass Clarinet with its smooth velvety action, warm tone and focused sound. It just might be his favorite musical partnership to date.

Photo credit : Christian Davidsson