Photo: Cathrine Dokken

CHRISTIAN GRØVLEN, born in Bergen/Norway, began playing the piano at the “Marianne Musikskole” at the age of five. At the age of 13, he became a student in the newly launched “Young Musicians” talent development program at the Griegakademmiet of the University of Bergen. He began studying with Professor Jiří Hlinka at the age of 15 before attending the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo under the direction of Håvard Gimse and Lars Anders Tomter visited. He completed his studies, among other things, in the soloist class at the Royal Danish Music Conservatory under the direction of Jens Elvekjær and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
He is a recipient of the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize, the Robert Levin Prize and the Arts Council Grant Norway. He made his debut in Copenhagen in October 2017, followed by debuts with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra in 2019/2020. He regularly performs at leading festivals in Norway. Christian Grøvlen is also a composer – his works are published by “Norsk Musikforlag”.
In addition to his work as a pianist and composer, he is director of the composers’ houses in the KODE museum group in Bergen. He is not only in charge of the Norwegian Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, but also the memorials for the composers Ole Bull and Harald Sæverud. He is also director of the “Edvard Grieg International Piano Competition”. His first album “BACH – Inside Polyphony” with piano works by Bach was recorded on the renowned Norwegian label 2L, released in summer 2017 to great reviews and named one of the best by the newspaper “Morgenbladet”. His second album “Eventyr” with Norwegian piano works was released in March 2021 on 2L.