Christian Praestholm, born in 1972, was educated at the Royal Academy of Music (DJM) in Aarhus as an organist and music theoretician. Further studies with Susan Landale 1996-97 at the Conservatoire National de Région de Rueil-Malmaison in Paris, from where he gained the highest distinction: Prix de Virtuosité à l’Unanimité de Jury, with David Titterington and Nigel Allcoat (improvisation) in London 1997-98. Masterclasses with Michael Radulescu, Anders Bondemann (improvisation), Hans Ola Ericsson, Petr Eben, Jon Laukvik, Nicolas Kynaston, Montserrat Torrent, Lionel Rogg, Ludger Lohmann and Naji Hakim (improvisation).
Organ début concert from the soloist class 1999. Diploma exam in the Theory of Music 2000. Teacher of the organ and theory of music at DJM 2000-2016, as well as at Vestervig School of Church Music 2001-2009, the North Jutland Conservatoire 2005-2007 and the West Jutland Conservatoire 2008-10.
External examiner in the theory of music at all Danish conservatories since 2004.
Organist and harpsicord player at Den jyske Sinfonietta 2001-07. Carillonneur’s diploma at the Løgumkloster School of Church Music 2010.
He has been organist at the Danish churches both in Paris and in London, and has since 2007 been organist at Sct. Mortens Kirke in Randers.
Christian Praestholm has given numerous concerts in Denmark, France, England, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Poland, Russia and the Orkney Islands and recorded many CDs. His partiality for modern music has led to a close collaboration with many different Danish and foreign composers and first performances of their works. Among these can be mentioned Simon Steen-Andersen, Ivar Frounberg, Bent Lorentzen, Fuzzy, Mogens Christensen, Jan Maegaard, Svend Nielsen, Jexper Holmen, Niels Marthinsen, Peter Bruun, Mikael Østen Ore, Kristian Rusila and Gunnar A. Kristinsson.
Christian Praestholm has received scholarships from different foundations, among them The Composer Jacob Gades legat, Augustinus Fonden, Knud Højgaards Fond, Fondation Idella, The Society of Piano- and Organbuilders in Denmark, Ejnar Hansens legat for organists and conductors 2016, and Former Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs Mette Madsens grant for ecclesiastical, creative and performing artists 2019.
As a composer he has written works for choir, organ, various soloists and chamber ensembles as well as hymn tunes. Various works have been commissioned
such as
Størst er kærligheden (Greatest of these is Love), Introitus for the confirmation of Danish Prinsess Isabella
Three Latin Motets for DR Vocalensemble
GLORIA, for the installation ceremony of the bishop in Aalborg Cathedral
Grundfjeldslys (Bedrocklight), for the installation ceremony of the bishop in Greenland
Menneskets lys (The light of man), cantata for Viborg Cathedral
Siseby-Suite for Haderslev Cathedral
Fem Kristus-Ord (Five words of Christ) for Haderslev Cathedral
Interludium, for Helsingør Cathedral
Sonatine for trumpet and organ, for Musikkens Hus, Aalborg
Poème, for Tønsberg Cathedral
For verden (For the world), cantata for Dybbøl Church
My lost love, for Aros Guitar Duo
Lauda anima mea Dominum, for Sct. Peders Koncertkor
Lær os at holde tal på vore dage, for Sct. Catharinæ Church, Hjørring
Hvor elskelige er dine boliger, for Thisted Church
Syv Gruk, for Nordisk Vokalensemble
solo works for Frederik Munk Larsen (Niels Ebbesen-variations for guitar), Philip Aggesen (Danse Macabre for organ) and James D.Hicks (Variations on the Danish folk tune En yndig og frydefuld sommertid, Fantasi on a bridal danse from Sønderho and Prelude and Fugue on the Copenhagen Town Hall Carillon).
He has composed and published more than 350 chorale preludes, which have become very widespread and are played in large as well as smaller churches all over Denmark.
Member of The Danish Composers’ Society.