Rafael Karlen

Dr Rafael Karlen is a Swedish-born composer and saxophonist based in Switzerland whose work moves between contemporary classical, improvised music, and jazz. After many years working in Australia, he recently relocated to Europe. His compositions range from chamber and orchestral works to hybrid projects integrating improvisation and interdisciplinary collaboration. His music has been commissioned and performed by ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, The Australian Voices, and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.

He has released multiple albums of original music and collaborated internationally with artists across jazz, classical, and popular music. Karlen’s artistic research explores the relationship between composition and improvisation, and how this is resolved through performance, developed through his recent PhD, Composing for Openness.