Martin Fröst


Martin Fröst is a Swedish clarinetist and conductor. He is currently principal conductor of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.

Early life and education

Fröst was born in Sundsvall, Sweden. As a youth, Fröst began musical studies on violin at age 5. At age 8, he started to learn the clarinet. He studied with Hans Deinzer in Germany and Sölve Kingstedt and Kjell-Inge Stevensson in Stockholm.

Career

Fröst's work in contemporary music includes collaborations with Anders Hillborg, Krzysztof Penderecki, Kalevi Aho, Rolf Martinsson, Bent Sørensen, Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Karin Rehnqvist and Sven-David Sandström. In May 2014, he received the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, the first clarinetist so honoured.
Fröst was artistic leader of the Vinterfest music festival for 10 seasons, concluding his tenure in 2015. He became joint artistic director of the Stavanger International Chamber Music Festival in 2010, and served in that until 2015. He has been a conductor-in-association with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. In May 2017, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra announced the appointment of Fröst as its next principal conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 3 seasons.
In the Unites States, in October 2014, Fröst first appeared with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Based on this concert, in November 2014, the SPCO named Fröst one of its Artistic Partners, effective with the 2015–2016 season, with an initial contract of 4 years. He was to have made his first appearance in the post in November 2015, but was unable to perform due to Meniere's Disease. The effects of the ailment delayed Fröst's appearances as an SPCO artistic partner until February 2017.

Personal life

Fröst and his family live in Stockholm, Sweden.

Albums