Kristjan Järvi has "earned a reputation as one of the canniest, and most innovative, programmers on the classical scene." (Reuters) Curating and conducting his original, genre-fusing projects with individual approach and style, his concerts have been proclaimed a "life-enhancing experience." (Herald Scotland)
He realises his pioneering ideas with his four ensembles: as Music Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Gstaad Festival Orchestra, as Founder-Conductor of his New York-based classical-hip-hop- jazz group Absolute Ensemble, and as Founder and Music Director of the Baltic Sea Philharmonic he now leads both the oldest Radio Orchestra in Europe and the newest young musicians orchestra. An entrepreneur by nature and a passionate producer, Kristjan Järvi runs his own production company "Sunbeam Productions", creating events that offer new experiences combining music, visual art, light design and technology with innovative concepts, hereby taking the audience on a unique journey.
In 2016, Kristjan became an official member of the Estonian Olympic committee, marking the first time this position was not filled by a sportsperson or government official. Kristjan’s initiative Sound Estonia aims to promote the connection between and importance of a healthy body and mind.
As a recording artist Järvi has more than 60 albums to his credit, from Hollywood soundtracks such as Cloud Atlas, Hologram for the King, Sense 8 and award-winning albums on Sony Classical and Chandos, to his eponymous series: the Kristjan Järvi Sound Project. Launched in 2014, the series features projects across all of Järvi’s ensembles and is characterised by his unmistakable approach of taking a fresh look at the old, with concepts and presentation that transcend the borders of classical music. His newest releases are Wagner: The Ring and Steve Reich Duet, both released by Sony Classical in September 2016.
Jarvi’s continues to work with some of today’s brightest creative minds, from film directors Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis, to composers and artists Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, Tan Dun, Hauschka, Dhafer Youssef, Anoushka Shankar and Esa-Pekka Salonen, with whom he started his career as Assistant Conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Born in Estonia, Kristjan Järvi emigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in New York City. He is an accomplished pianist and graduated from Manhattan School of Music followed by conducting studies at the University of Michigan.
