Jexper  Holmen

Jexper Holmen

(1971-)

It may be unfair to label Jexper Holmen's music with his own term 'Chamber Punk' because, as all labels, it only accentuate certain aspects of certain works and not the variety of it all. It does, however, make sense to begin with this term, as it seems capable of describing some essential impulses in Holmen's aesthetics. His approach to composing for classical instruments seems to be infused with the energy of punk and postpunk rock music – an energy based on brutal, ecstatic, noisy and abrasive impulses.


Often, Holmen is recklessly pursuing one extreme idea, pushing the sound and the musicians over the edge, hammering brutal tone clusters from the orchestra at the highest possible volume. This has given him the image of an enfant terrible, which he himself denounces. He explores extremes in order to extract ambiguous beauties and energetic ecstasies from them, not to play rebel in a world of self-content subtleties.


To explain this strategy, he has used the dialectic image of slicing a tomato. If you use a blunt knife and press gently, the tomato will be crushed, while if you take a sharp knife and make a full-forced chop, the tomato will be divided in two perfect halves, retaining its structure. The brutal cut becomes the gentler.

A common denominator in Holmen's works is a gesture in which everything seems to slither askew. It sounds like microtonal glissandi within a cluster harmonic, even though the effect is often achieved without actual, notated glissandi, but by side effects of pushing the instruments to their limits, impeding tonal precision. Much of the intensity of Holmen's music lies in these slithering frictions.

From chamber punk to nursery chamber, Jexper Holmen's music is a thrilling experience, be it brutal or gentle, expressive or ambient, the intensity is remarkable.

Excerpts from article by Torben Sangild, 2011


Selected works:


Oort Cloud (2009)

Laughing out loud inhaling the SCARLET SPLEEN (fade to black...) (2004)

Night Pace (2004)

Intend (2000)

Attempt (2000)

Transcendental Preference (1998)

Available Works

All categories Solo 2-6 Instruments 7+ Instruments Choir Orchestra Music Drama and Stage Music Educational Music

  1. The Green Queen

    2004 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    10 minutes

    Percussion solo

  2. Sinfonella

    2022 • Jexper Holmen

    7+ Instruments

    20 minutes

    1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/2perc/pno/1.1.1.1.1

  3. Alle kan larme

    2018 • Jexper Holmen

    Educational Music

    Cello duo

  4. De mørkeblå lillakvinder i villakvartererne

    2018 • Jexper Holmen

    Music Drama and Stage Music

    90 minutes

    2 cl, 2 Bcl, 2 hrn, 2 perc, 6 soli (mez. a. a. bar. bbar. b), 3 vla, 3 vlc, 2 DB

  5. Hvis solen var en lyd

    2018 • Jexper Holmen

    Educational Music

    Accordion trio

  6. [im'pækt] vb

    2018 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    9 minutes

    Piano, violin, viola & cello

  7. 4x4f

    2018 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    2 x piano and 2 x percussion

  8. Rungende X

    2017 • Jexper Holmen

    Educational Music

    4 minutes

    Percussion solo

  9. Lyden af hemmeligheder

    2017 • Jexper Holmen

    Educational Music

    3:30 minutes

    Guitar solo

  10. Inflict

    2016 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    4:33 minutes

    Viola solo

  11. En krig om sommerfugle

    2014 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    Amplified alto recorder, soprano saxophone & vibraphone

  12. Ravnholm

    2014 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    for clarinet, piano, violin & cello

  13. Eocæn

    2015 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    for baritone and piano

  14. Varuna I

    2015 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    string quartet & live electronics

  15. Mega Ketos

    2013 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    7 minutes

    Organ solo

  16. Sabi

    2012 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    4 minutes

    amplified steel-string guitar

  17. Marula

    2011 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    15 minutes

    cl, string trio and analogue ringmodulator

  18. Miranda

    2011 • Jexper Holmen

    7+ Instruments

    14 minutes

    Sax solo + 0.0.0.0/0.1.1.0/2 perc/pno/cel/1.0.1.1.1/live-elec

  19. Zyp

    2010 • Jexper Holmen

    Choir

    4 minutes

    24 part mixed choir

  20. Tension III : Disembarrass

    2002 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    9 minutes

    A-sax, acc, cb and ring modulator

  21. gugu skatersange

    2009 • Jexper Holmen

    Choir

    3 minutes

    12 part chamber choir

  22. Salig den mand

    2008 • Jexper Holmen

    Choir

    1:30 minutes

    12 part chamber choir

  23. Herlighedens Gud

    2008 • Jexper Holmen

    Choir

    30 seconds

    12 part chamber choir

  24. Eris

    2009 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    10 minutes

    Accordeon and electronics

  25. Dysnomia

    2009 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    10 minutes

    Bass flute & live processing

  26. Gotisk suite

    2012 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    30 minutes

    Accordion and live processing

  27. Berenice

    2007 • Jexper Holmen

    7+ Instruments

    80 minutes

    Soprano solo + perc, gui, live-electronics and stage lighting

  28. Oort Cloud

    2009 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    45 minutes

    S-sax, 2 acc, live processing

  29. Vespa Crabro

    2004 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    1 minutes

    Cello solo + amplification + effect processor

  30. Night Pace

    2004 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    15 minutes

    Cb-cl, vibr, vlc + amplification

  31. Haze

    2005 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    23 minutes

    Flute solo + amplification, effect processor and stage light

  32. Laughing out loud inhaling the SCARLET SPLEEN (fade to black...)

    2004 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    5 minutes

    Accordion solo

  33. Darkbloom

    2004 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    18 minutes

    Clarinet solo

  34. Haunted and Homeless

    2005 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    Voice solo, double-bass w. amplification and effect processor

  35. ÿon versatile 3 axis cnc bench milling machine

    2006 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    B-sax, pno, vl

  36. Crystal Park

    1996 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    Violin and Piano

  37. Oil

    1996 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    9 minutes

    Bass clarinet (or saxophone, alto or baritone) & percussion

  38. Flower Shaped and Artificial

    2001 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    fl, cl, perc, pno, gui, vl, vlc

  39. Variations on a Funeral Pyre

    2001 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    8 minutes

    4 vla da gamba

  40. Ascend

    2002 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    2 minutes

    cel, 2 vl, vla, vlc

  41. Extend/Illuminate/Unfold

    2001 • Jexper Holmen

    7+ Instruments

    8 minutes

    Acc solo + 2.0.2.0/0.0.0.0/cel/1.0.1.1.0/live-elec

  42. Prefer

    2001 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    5 minutes

    Accordion solo + live-electronics

  43. Attempt

    2000 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    Piccolo, clarinet, percussion, prep. piano

  44. Intend

    2000 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    String Quartet

  45. Tension II: Into your mind

    1999 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    4 minutes

    Soprano + gui

  46. Study in Periodicity

    1999 • Jexper Holmen

    Solo

    6 minutes

    Organ solo

  47. Transcendental Preference

    1998 • Jexper Holmen

    Orchestra

    5 minutes

    2 (picc).0.2 (Eb and Bcl).1 (Cfg)/0.2.0.0/archi

  48. Mesoplodon Pacificus

    1999 • Jexper Holmen

    7+ Instruments

    10 minutes

    Soprano solo + cl, perc

  49. Penetrated Mountains

    1997 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    3 minutes

    cl, gui

  50. Diamonds Dissolved

    1997 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    cl, pno, vl, vlc

  51. Balaena Mysticetus

    1998 • Jexper Holmen

    7+ Instruments

    5 minutes

    1.0.1.1/0.1.0.0/arpa/pno/1.0.1.1.0

  52. Expect

    1997 • Jexper Holmen

    2-6 Instruments

    12 minutes

    fl, vl, vla, vlc




Advanced works search

News

  1. Edition·S at KLANG 2023

    general

    Edition·S at KLANG 2023

  2. World premiere of Sinfonella by Jexper Holmen

    general

    World premiere of Sinfonella by Jexper Holmen

  3. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation 2023

    nominations / awards

    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation 2023

  1. Edition·S at KLANG Festival

    general

    Edition·S at KLANG Festival

  2. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

    general

    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

  3. Selected summer performances

    general

    Selected summer performances

  4. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    nominations / awards

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  5. Edition·S works on The Danish Arts Foundation's playlist of recommended works

    general

    Edition·S works on The Danish Arts Foundation's playlist of recommended works

  6. Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

    general

    Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

  7. Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

    general

    Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

  8. RELEASE · Educate·S · Pieces for Guitar

    general

    RELEASE · Educate·S · Pieces for Guitar

  9. Jexper Holmen & Allan Gravgaard Madsen receive Danish Arts Foundation awards

    general

    Jexper Holmen & Allan Gravgaard Madsen receive Danish Arts Foundation awards

  10. Two world premieres at KLANG reviewed

    general

    Two world premieres at KLANG reviewed

  11. Jexper Holmen Interview (DK)

    general

    Jexper Holmen Interview (DK)

  12. Jexper Holmen Interview (UK)

    general

    Jexper Holmen Interview (UK)

  13. KLANG 2019

    general

    KLANG 2019

  14. Danish focus at Cairo Contemporary Music Days

    general

    Danish focus at Cairo Contemporary Music Days

  15. Save 25% on all solo pieces

    general

    Save 25% on all solo pieces

  16. Accordion extravaganza at RDAM

    general

    Accordion extravaganza at RDAM

  17. Jexper Holmen festival composer at Rudersdal Sommerkoncerter

    general

    Jexper Holmen festival composer at Rudersdal Sommerkoncerter

  18. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    general

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  19. Edition·S composers at KLANG

    general

    Edition·S composers at KLANG

  20. Jexper Holmen portrait concerts and festival composer

    general

    Jexper Holmen portrait concerts and festival composer

  21. Morten Olsen headlines Athelas Sinfonietta season opener

    general

    Morten Olsen headlines Athelas Sinfonietta season opener

  22. Suså Festival’s 25th anniversary packed with Edition·S works

    general

    Suså Festival’s 25th anniversary packed with Edition·S works

  23. Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

    general

    Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

  24. All-in on solo cello at CPH LiteraturHaus

    general

    All-in on solo cello at CPH LiteraturHaus

  25. Leading New York festival features Holmen and Christensen

    general

    Leading New York festival features Holmen and Christensen

  26. New Holmen piece premiered at Copenhagen Phil concert

    general

    New Holmen piece premiered at Copenhagen Phil concert

  27. Edition·S composers portray Copenhagen Phil musicians

    general

    Edition·S composers portray Copenhagen Phil musicians

  28. KLANG announces festival programme

    general

    KLANG announces festival programme

  29. Four New Composer Portraits

    general

    Four New Composer Portraits

  30. DYGONG Mass in Copenhagen Cathedral

    general

    DYGONG Mass in Copenhagen Cathedral

  31. Suså Festival

    general

    Suså Festival

  32. Suså Festival 2014

    general

    Suså Festival 2014

  33. A Burst of Activity

    general

    A Burst of Activity

  34. Jack Quartet in Denmark

    general

    Jack Quartet in Denmark

  35. Nordic Music Days 2013

    general

    Nordic Music Days 2013

  36. Copenhagen Phil in Christiania

    general

    Copenhagen Phil in Christiania

  37. A Fascination with Music Boxes

    general

    A Fascination with Music Boxes

  38. KLANG Festival Programme Released

    general

    KLANG Festival Programme Released

  39. Lullabies on Palm Sunday

    general

    Lullabies on Palm Sunday

  40. Edition·S Composers at PULSAR Festival

    general

    Edition·S Composers at PULSAR Festival

  41. Huddersfield: a festival of new and experimental music

    general

    Huddersfield: a festival of new and experimental music

  42. New Danish Educational Site

    general

    New Danish Educational Site

  43. Jexper Holmen Portrait Concert

    general

    Jexper Holmen Portrait Concert

  44. Nordic Music Days 2012

    general

    Nordic Music Days 2012

  45. Suså Festival – two decades of art music

    general

    Suså Festival – two decades of art music

  46. Edition·S invasion at Athelas next week

    general

    Edition·S invasion at Athelas next week

  47. Abyss music and Gothic accordion

    general

    Abyss music and Gothic accordion

  48. Suså Festival 2012 programme made public

    general

    Suså Festival 2012 programme made public

  49. A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

    general

    A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

  50. Podcast Interviews from hcmf// 2011

    general

    Podcast Interviews from hcmf// 2011

  51. Huddersfield Interviews & Reviews

    general

    Huddersfield Interviews & Reviews

  52. Jexper Holmen speaking about his future works

    general

    Jexper Holmen speaking about his future works

  53. Denmark enters the Huddersfield Festival 2011

    general

    Denmark enters the Huddersfield Festival 2011

  54. London Sinfonietta unveils brutal Marula by Jexper Holmen

    general

    London Sinfonietta unveils brutal Marula by Jexper Holmen

  55. Turning point in Iceland

    general

    Turning point in Iceland

  56. Edition·S at Music China in October

    general

    Edition·S at Music China in October

  57. Danish Composers at Ultima Festival 2011

    general

    Danish Composers at Ultima Festival 2011

  58. Danish composers mark the trend at Huddersfield Festival 2011

    general

    Danish composers mark the trend at Huddersfield Festival 2011

  59. Young composers at the UNM festival

    general

    Young composers at the UNM festival

  60. Danish composers at Nordic Music Days 2011

    general

    Danish composers at Nordic Music Days 2011

  61. Jexper Holmen and Simon Steen-Andersen on a roll

    general

    Jexper Holmen and Simon Steen-Andersen on a roll

  62. From beauty to the beast with Jexper Holmen

    general

    From beauty to the beast with Jexper Holmen

  63. Jexper Holmen appointed composer-in-residence in Huddersfield 2011-12!

    general

    Jexper Holmen appointed composer-in-residence in Huddersfield 2011-12!

  64. New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

    general

    New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

  65. Jexper Holmen portrayed in Huddersfield tonight

    general

    Jexper Holmen portrayed in Huddersfield tonight

Show More News

Calendar

  1. October 2021
  2. 6

    October

    Jexper Holmen: En krig mod humlebier

    location Sofia Baroque Arts Festival, Sofia , Bulgaria

    performed by Duo Diagonal

  1. November 2021
  2. 6

    November

    Jexper Holmen: En krig mod humlebier

    time16:00

    location Stavnsholtkirken, Farum, Denmark

    performed by Duo Diagonal

  3. 8

    November

    Jexper Holmen: En krig mod humlebier

    location Aalborg, Denmark

    performed by Duo Diagonal