Violinist Jan Bjøranger is the visionary founder and artistic director of 1B1. As a professor and head of the string department at the University of Stavanger, Bjøranger occupies a prominent position among Norwegian musicians, as well as pursuing a very active career as a performing artist. A double focus on progressive tutorial work and innovative performance is at the heart of Bjøranger's engagement with 1B1, and this has turned a predominantly student-based string orchestra into one of the most…
Violinist Jan Bjøranger is the visionary founder and artistic director of 1B1. As a professor and head of the string department at the University of Stavanger, Bjøranger occupies a prominent position among Norwegian musicians, as well as pursuing a very active career as a performing artist.
A double focus on progressive tutorial work and innovative performance is at the heart of Bjøranger’s engagement with 1B1, and this has turned a predominantly student-based string orchestra into one of the most refreshing classical acts around.
Alongside his work with 1B1, Bjøranger is a sought-after director and leader for ensembles and orchestras in Europe, including the MDR Sinfonieorchester in Leipzig, Camerata Salzburg, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Trondheim Soloists, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, and the newly founded Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, Bjøranger also holds the position as co-artistic director of Stavanger’s International Chamber Music Festival, together with acclaimed pianist Christian Ihle Hadland.
Jan Bjøranger has participated in a great number of recordings on several prominent labels. 1B1’s recording »Holberg Variations«, a conceptual reimagining of Grieg’s »Holberg Suite«, won him and the orchestra a Norwegian Grammy in 2015.
Bjøranger plays a violin made in 1725 by the Venetian master luthier Domenicus Montagnana.
July 2016