Winners of Jan Wallander Prize

Winners of Jan Wallander Prize

The prize is awarded each year to one of Sweden’s young outstanding music students who study at one of the music colleges in Sweden. The prize allows the recipient to use an extremely high-grade instrument at the beginning of his professional career.

David Stener – winner 2023

Prize citation

For his natural and mature playing style, allied with a wonderful feel for harmony and an outstanding improvisational flow, pianist David Stener has been awarded the Jan Wallander Prize for 2023.

David Stener - vinnare Jan Wallanderpriset 2023
Piano Steinway & Sons - inköpsår 2014
Prize

This years prize ia s Grand piano, Steinway & Sons B-211.

Since Steinway & Sons was founded in 1853, the company’s goal has always been to make the finest grand pianos in the world. This objective of creating the best possible instrument is what makes a Steinway the unique piano that it is. Today, 98 per cent of the world’s concert pianists use a Steinway, and 97 per cent use one on a daily basis. 97 per cent of concert halls throughout the world use at least one grand piano from Steinway & Sons.

Ilias Livieratos – winner 2022

Prize citation

The violist ILIAS LIVIERATOS possesses a warm and rich sound. He displays a multifaceted playing that is deeply personal and always interesting.. He is a wonderful instrumentalist and a worthy recipient of this year´s Wallander Prize.

Ilias Livieratos – vinnare 2022
Violin från ca 1800- inköpsår 2012
Prize

This year’s prize is Viola from around 1800 by Giuseppe, Antonio and Giovanni Gagliano in Naples. It is from about 1800, as indicated by the associated label.

Fred Lindberg – Winner 2020

Prize citation

With dazzling virtuosity and imaginative interpretation, cellist Fred Lindberg is the winner of the Jan Wallander Prize 2020.

Fred Lindberg - vinnare 2020
Cello från slutet av 1700- inköpsår 2013
Prize

This year’s instrument is a violoncello, a fine old Italian instrument, the work of Gennaro Gagliano of Naples, whose original label it bears dated 1741.

Carl Vallin – winner 2019

Prize citation

The winner of the Jan Wallander Prize 2019 possesses personal and imaginative playing paired with a glorious virtuosity and strong stage presence.

Carl Vallin. 2019 års Jan Wallanderpristagare.
Jan Wallanderpriset instrument 2019
Prize

This year’s instrument is a fine 18th century example by the master Nicola Gagliano, from Naples. The violin is a Gagliano original in terms of all its essential parts, such as the top plate, the back plate, the ribs, scroll and varnish.

The instrument has a fictitious label with the following text: Ferdinandus Gagliano Filius Nicolai fecit Neap. 1766

Julia Biegniewska – winner 2018

Prize citation

The winner of the 2018 Jan Wallander Prize is a fiery, extrovert violinist who also has a rich tonal range and brilliant virtuosity.

Julia Biegniewska - vinnare 2018 JWpriset
Violin från 1756 - inköpsår 2010
Prize

This year’s prize is a violin made by Januarius (Gennaro) Gagliano in 1756. The prize winner will have the use of it for a number of years.

Cremona, Brescia, Milan, Venice… the names of the cities of northern Italy have, of course, a particularly magical ring for violinists and other connoisseurs of history’s finest stringed instruments. But since the early 18th century there has also been a strong tradition of making outstanding stringed instrument a little further south in Italy. This is associated particularly with the Gagliano family. The least-known member of the family is probably the founder, Alessandro. After having worked for the masters Amati and Stradivari in Cremona, he brought his expertise back to his home city of Naples. Alessandro’s second son Januarius (in Italian: Gennaro) was active from about 1740 to 1780, and fewer of his instruments have survived. Those that do exist, however, are real connoisseurs’ instruments. They are normally have reddish orange- or reddish brown-coloured varnish, setting them apart from the lighter golden-yellow colour that became common among the Gagliano family’s violins in the later 18th century.

Victoria Stjerna – winner 2017

Prize citation

The winner of this year’s Jan Wallander Prize is a violinist with strong personal musical charisma. With outstanding technique and a warm tone, great artistry runs through her musical interpretations.

Victoria Stjerna - vinnare 2017
Violin tillverkad av Michele Deconet i Venedig ca 1750 - inköpsår 2017
Prize

The 2017 prize is a violin made in Venice by Michele Deconet in 1750.

  • The two-piece back plate is made of flame-grained maple – as are the ribs and scroll.
  • The two-piece top plate is made of alpine spruce, with medium to fine annual rings.
  • The varnish is of a golden yellow colour on a golden background.

Charlotta Grahn Wetter – winner 2016

Prize citation

The winner of the 2016 prize has a very beautiful tone – a sound with lustre and intensity. Our prizewinner’s musicality and expressive skills generate rare concentration among audiences, moving them deeply.

Charlotta Grahn Wetter - vinnare 2016
Violin tillverkad av i Bologna av Joannes Florenus Guidantus år 1731 - inköpsår 2016
Prize

A violin made in Venice by Michele Deconet in 1750.

  • The two-piece back plate is made of flame-grained maple – as are the ribs and scroll.
  • The two-piece top plate is made of alpine spruce, with medium to fine annual rings.
  • The varnish is of a golden yellow colour on a golden background.
  • The body measures 356mm in length.

Josef Karnebäck – winner 2015

Prize citation

The 2015 prizewinner has many facets and colours to his playing, a wonderful tone, brilliant technique and an irresistible swing. Our prizewinner’s personality reflects a unique artistry, where his strong individual voice and his will to communicate with his fellow musicians and his audience burn with a bright flame.

Josef Karnebäck - vinnare 2015
Kontrabas från ca 1830 - inköpsår 2015
Prize

The 2015 prize is double bass made in England in around 1830.

  • Two-piece back plate in fine flamed maple. Ribs and scroll in the same material.
  • Two-piece top plate in medium- to broad-grained spruce. Yellow-orange varnish on a golden background.

Joel Lyssarides – winner 2014

Prize citation

A young musician whose playing shows exquisite feel, subtle harmonics and vibrant phrasing, contributing to creativity at the highest artistic level. With imaginative musicianship and outstanding expressiveness, our prize-winner weaves stories full of splendid colours, beauty, and a rare luminosity.

Joel Lyssarides - vinnare 2014
Piano Steinway & Sons - inköpsår 2014
Prize

This years prize ia s Grand piano, Steinway & Sons B-211.

Since Steinway & Sons was founded in 1853, the company’s goal has always been to make the finest grand pianos in the world. This objective of creating the best possible instrument is what makes a Steinway the unique piano that it is. Today, 98 per cent of the world’s concert pianists use a Steinway, and 97 per cent use one on a daily basis. 97 per cent of concert halls throughout the world use at least one grand piano from Steinway & Sons.

Tomas Lundström – winner 2013

Prize citation

A young cellist with great maturity and excellence in all his artistry. With imaginative musicianship and impressive technical skills, our award-winner brings out all the inherent qualities of the music. His beautiful tone and confident intonation contribute to a strong, convincing musical expression.

Tomas Lundström - vinnare 2013
Cello från slutet av 1700- inköpsår 2013
Prize

This year’s instrument is a violoncello, a fine old Italian instrument, the work of Gennaro Gagliano of Naples, whose original label it bears dated 1741.

Sofia Hansen – winner 2012

Prize citation

A young musician with a sound, convincing feeling for rhythm, tone and phrasing. Her well-developed technique means that her playing is relaxed and natural, making the most of the special nature of the viola. She interprets the repertoire with elegance, coupled with a warm, engaging, personal approach.

Sofia Hansen - vinnare 2012
Violin från ca 1800- inköpsår 2012
Prize

This year’s instrument is a viola, a fine old instrument made by Giuseppe, Antonio and Giovanni Gagliano in Naples. It is from circa 1800, as stated on the accompanying label.

Oscar Treitler – vinnare 2011

Prize citation

A young musician who has already achieved great technical and musical maturity. He has a rich sound, a flexible vibrato and lively phrasing, which together make a strong, convincing musical impression. The intellectual and emotional sides of the music are in equilibrium, in musicality filled with verve and zest.

Oscar Treitler - vinnare 2011
Violin från 1766 - inköpsår 2011
Prize

This year’s instrument is a fine 18th century example by the master Nicola Gagliano, from Naples. The violin is a Gagliano original in terms of all its essential parts, such as the top plate, the back plate, the ribs, scroll and varnish.

The instrument has a fictitious label with the following text: Ferdinandus Gagliano Filius Nicolai fecit Neap. 1766

Daniel Migdal – winner 2010

Prize citation

Daniel Migdal has established himself as one of the most promising young violinists in Sweden. Daniel is a sought after chamber musician and has been touring as chamber musician and soloist in Sweden, Estonia, France, England, Poland and China.

Daniel Migdal - vinnare 2010
Violin från 1756 - inköpsår 2010
Prize

This year’s prize is a violin made by Januarius (Gennaro) Gagliano in 1756. The prize winner will have the use of it for a number of years.

Cremona, Brescia, Milan, Venice… the names of the cities of northern Italy have, of course, a particularly magical ring for violinists and other connoisseurs of history’s finest stringed instruments. But since the early 18th century there has also been a strong tradition of making outstanding stringed instrument a little further south in Italy. This is associated particularly with the Gagliano family. The least-known member of the family is probably the founder, Alessandro. After having worked for the masters Amati and Stradivari in Cremona, he brought his expertise back to his home city of Naples. Alessandro’s second son Januarius (in Italian: Gennaro) was active from about 1740 to 1780, and fewer of his instruments have survived. Those that do exist, however, are real connoisseurs’ instruments. They are normally have reddish orange- or reddish brown-coloured varnish, setting them apart from the lighter golden-yellow colour that became common among the Gagliano family’s violins in the later 18th century.