Mathias Kjøller

Mathias Kjøller, clarinet.

Mathias Kjøller, born in 1985, began playing the clarinet at age 10. In 2004 he entered the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, studying with John Kruse (Royal Danish Opera), and in 2007 – at age 21 -, he was appointed principal clarinetist in Aarhus Symphony Orchestra.

After finishing studies in Aarhus, Mathias entered the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen, studying with Lee Morgan (Royal Danish Opera) where he won the soloist competition and played the Nielsen Concerto with conductor Michael Schønwandt.

He also regularly travels to study with the internationally renowned clarinet professor, Yehuda Gilad in Los Angeles.

In 2011, he was appointed associate principal clarinet in the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, but, after careful consideration he decided to go back to Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in 2013. Besides his positions in Aarhus and Copenhagen, he has also played in the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra as principal clarinet.

In 2013, he was awarded 2nd prize, Odense Symphony Orchestra’s prize and the prize for the best interpretation of the Carl Nielsen clarinet concerto in the International Carl Nielsen Clarinet Competition.

As a soloist he has played with the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra and several times with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra.

Mathias is a very active chamber musician playing at festivals such as the Bergen International Festival and West Cork Chamber Music Festival with musicians like Simon Crawford-Philips, Andreas Brantelid, Sasha Sitkovestky, Christian Ihle Hadland and Marianna Shirinyan.

Besides his studies with Kruse, Morgan and Gilad, Mathias has studied with Ricardo Morales, Wenzel Fuchs, Hans Christian Bræin, Philippe Berrod, Karl Leister and Martin Fröst.

He has received received noumerous awards and scholarships, among others the Sonning Scholarship for musicians, the Victor Borge Prize and the Danish Arts Council’s The Young Elite Scholarship.