Home | Hans Christian Aavik

“It’s always a pleasure to work with Hans Christian Aavik. He is an exceptional Estonian talent with a distinctive musical voice.

His artistry and depth set him apart as a truly unique violinist.”

- PAAVO JÄRVI

1st PRIZE WINNER

OF THE

2022 CARL NIELSEN

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

"Aavik’s playing is technically superb, making light of this work's often considerable technical demands.

Octaves and double-stopped passagework, for example, are razor-honed, and intonation is faultless, while his subtle dynamic inflections and rich tonal palette are undeniably captivating."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & Editor’s Concerto Choice

- BBC Music Magazine

"Young Estonian violinist Hans Christian Aavik – winner of the 2022 Carl Nielsen Competition – is out to demonstrate his versatility and breadth of passion in his debut orchestral recording. In fact, he manages just that, bringing a similar sense of commitment, connection and insight to the wildly contrasting pair of pieces, as well as a microscopic level of detail and nuance that brings their storytelling vividly alive."

- The Strad

“Thereafter Tüür’s angelic fiddler ups the tempo for the closing moments of this majorly imaginative Angel’s Shae, which fills the air like the aroma of a prize malt. It’s a pleasure to hear, whether or not you listen while sipping a dram or three.

- Gramophone

"Bruch’s Violin Concerto has been with me since childhood, its timeless simplicity and energy speaking directly to the heart, resonating with everyone who hears it. Similarly, Tüür’s Violin Concerto No. 2 'Angel’s Share' captivated me from the very first note. Despite being from a different time, Tüür’s music shares a remarkable emotional depth with Bruch — both works have this rare ability to connect immediately. Bruch’s romanticism is outward and radiant, while Tüür’s is more introspective, yet both are profoundly expressive. The beauty lies in how these two pieces, from different eras, still share so much in common — a powerful testament to the universal language of music and emotion."

– HANS CHRISTIAN AAVIK

News

Hans Christian Aavik will be “Young Artist in Focus” with the renowned WKO

(Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn) starting from season 25/26.

Hans Christian Aavik’s first orchestral album received 5 stars and was named Editor’s choice by BBC Music Magazine

Orchid Music HANS CHRISTIAN AAVIK cover photo

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Hans Christian Aavik

releases his debut orchestral album on Orchid Classics ahead of

Carnegie Hall debut

Hans Christian will perform Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante on September 25th together with Tabea Zimmermann and Ensemble Resonanz.

In January 2025, Hans Christian was honored to be named Gramophone's "One to Watch"

Hans Christian will make his American Debut in Carnegie Hall on October 23rd 2025 together with Paavo Järvi, Midori, Nico Muhly and Estonian Festival Orchestra

The Strad: Catching up with violinist Hans Christian Aavik

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Hans Christian Aavik and Karolina Aavik recorded 3 singles for Deutsche Grammophon "Musical moments"

MORE NEWS

Concerts

A glimpse into my world: Hans Christian Aavik

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

Hans Christian Aavik is the 1st prize winner of the 2022 Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition and recipient of the Usedom Prize. Named “One to Watch” by Gramophone, he is praised for his “probing intellect and curiosity” combined with “an extroverted charisma” (Bachtrack).

Already well established as a soloist at home in Estonia,Hans Christian Aavik performed Bruch’s violin concerto with the Estonian Festival Orchestra and Paavo Järvi at the 2024 Pärnu Music Festival. In 2023/24 he also curated his own concert series with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, revolving around Mozart’s five violin concertos, and performed Beethoven’s violin concerto with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra under Olari Elts. Recent international engagements have included chamber music performances at the Wigmore Hall, Köln Deutschlandfunk Kammermusiksaal and Kölner Philarmonie.

Hans Christian Aavik returns to the Pärnu Music Festival in July 2025 as soloist in Arvo Pärt’s Tabula Rasa and joins Paavo Järvi and the Estonian Festival Orchestra for further celebrations of the composer’s 90th birthday this autumn, appearing as a soloist alongside Midori at the Vienna Konzerthaus, Zürich Tonhalle, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and New York Carnegie Hall.

» Read full biography