BIOGRAPHY
"Bernsted is a lyrical talent with a noble, velvety and singing sound that speaks in all phrases"
Alexandra Kozowicz, Culture Poland
Danish-born violinist Christine Bernsted has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in classical music from Scandinavia, praised for her remarkable musical versatility, technical brilliance, and emotionally resonant performances. Lauded for her interpretations, she has been described by The Strad as offering “a deeply cathartic experience,” and by Pizzicato Magazine for her “unwavering energy and stylistic breadth.”
​
A major prizewinner in numerous international competitions, Christine claimed First Prizes at the 2018 Melbourne International Violin Competition and the 2021 Concorso Internazionale “Città di Treviso.” Her artistic depth and interpretive precision earned her Second Prize and two special awards at Poland’s 2021 MieczysÅ‚aw Wajnberg International Violin Competition. Celebrated for her bold musical choices and expressive intensity, she was awarded P2 Album of the Year for her acclaimed Lera Auerbach album featuring the 24 Preludes for Violin and Piano.
​
In her native Denmark, Christine is a recipient of the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize (2019), the Carl Nielsen & Anne-Marie Carl Nielsen Talent Prize (2019), Second Prize in the Danish String Competition (2020), and the Rødovre Music Prize (2022).
​
She has performed at leading Danish venues including DR Koncerthuset, The Black Diamond, Musikhuset Aarhus, Glyptoteket, and The David Collection in Copenhagen. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.
​
Christine completed her postgraduate studies at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna with Professor Elisabeth Kropfitsch, and at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Professor Eszter Haffner. She has also undertaken extensive studies with Gerhard Schulz and Boris Kuschnir. Since 2021, Christine has served as assistant to Professor Haffner at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.
​
She performs on a Stefan-Peter Greiner violin, generously loaned by the Augustinus Foundation, and is a proud Larsen Strings Performing Artist.
​​
​
"Bernsted’s performance is of the utmost commitment, manifested in technical and artistic brilliance" -
Fanfare
