The Jan Wallander Prize
The Jan Wallander Prize is awarded each year to a distinguished student at one of the music colleges in Sweden. The award was established by Handelsbanken in collaboration with KMH. In addition to the honour, the prize-winner will have the opportunity to use an instrument of extremely high class for an extended period of time.
Elias Morgan Grimstad is awarded the 2026 Jan Wallander Prize
Elias Morgan Grimstad has been named this year’s recipient of the Jan Wallander Prize. For the next ten years, he will have the opportunity to play a violin crafted in 1856 by Andrea Postacchini.
Elias Morgan Grimstad was selected with the jury's motivation:
For his beautiful tone, vivid musicality, and energetic virtuosity, violinist Elias Morgan Grimstad is awarded the Jan Wallander Prize 2026.
Elias Morgan Grimstad is currently pursuing advanced studies at Ingesund School of Music. The violin has already made a profound impression on him.
The instrument feels absolutely wonderful to play, the prize-winner says. It has an exceptionally beautiful tone and responds with great ease.
Former winners of the Jan Wallander Prize
- 2025 – Miranda Nordqvist
- 2024 – Hugo Löf
- 2023 – David Stener
- 2022 – Ilias Livieratos
- 2021 – Cancelled due to the pandemic
- 2020 – Fred Lindberg
- 2019 – Carl Vallin
- 2018 – Julia Biegniewska
- 2017 – Victoria Stjerna
- 2016 – Charlotta Grahn Wetter
- 2015 – Josef Karnebäck
- 2014 – Joel Lyssarides
- 2013 – Tomas Lundström
- 2012 – Sofia Hansen
- 2011 – Oscar Treitler
- 2010 – Daniel Migdal
About the prize
Through the Jan Wallander Prize, we hope to give more young people the opportunity to use and use a first-class instrument for a longer period. The award has received its name from Handelsbanken's former CEO and chairman, Jan Wallander. The instruments available to the winners are included in the Handelsbanken Classic Instruments collection.
A musician expresses himself through his instrument. By using a first-class instrument, a musician can reach further in his creative interpretation – the instrument responsively responds to the finest impulses and contributes with his sonic beauty to the richness of the expression.