Simon  Christensen
Photo: Jens Svankjær

Simon Christensen

(1971-)

Simon Christensen · Portrait 

Like many 21st century composers who came of age in the closing years of the previous millennium, Simon Christensen has had an extensive background in a variety of musical genres, and as a result creates music that is deeply informed by all of them. But what sets him apart from most composers of his generation is that while all of his influences make sense once you know what they are, the resultant music he has been creating over the course of the past decade somehow transcends genre considerations entirely and is something completely fresh and new.



While one might trace Christensen’s meticulously notated scores to his rigorous composition training (at the Royal Academy of Music in his native Copenhagen and the Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Paris), attribute his careful attention to sonorities and a systemic approach to their manipulation to background in live electronic performance (as a laptop artist in the duo Mobile Soundscapes or his use of a variety of analog modules in the group Kundi Bombo), and assume his obsession with pulse is related to his activities earlier on as a rock drummer (in the band New Paragraphs), Christensen’s very complex looking scores tend to sound much simpler, many of his most remarkable timbral details are achieved with purely acoustic instrumental combinations, and his skewed rhythmic sensibility ultimately has little to do with most rock music.


A big part of the impact of Christensen’s music comes from his ability to harness the off-kilter. His rhythmic palate includes cascades of mismatched tuplet sequences (e.g. quintuplets followed by sextuplets then septuplets) as well as polyrhythms exploring the incompatible overlapping of such sequences (e.g. seven against three then six against five, etc.). He also frequently utilizes a much broader range of possible pitches (in addition to the standard chromatic scale in 12-tone equal temperament, Christensen not only adds quarter-tones but also eighth tones, a variety of harmonics and sub-harmonics, and sounds with imprecise pitches. Whether it is a small intimate chamber piece or a large scale ensemble work, Christensen’s recent music has an unmistakably identifiable sound.


Excerpts from article by Frank J. Oteri (March 2012)

Selected works:

TRIBUTES - Pulse (2010-2011)

Toward Nothingness (2009)

Circuiting The Stroke (2008-2009)

The 1971 Connection (2008)

The Elastic Track (2006)
 

Available Works

All categories Solo 2-6 Instruments 7+ Instruments Choir Orchestra Educational Music Other

  1. Turmoil Dance

    2023 • Simon Christensen

    Solo

    9:30 minutes

    Piano four hands

  2. POLYPTYCH

    2022 • Simon Christensen

    Solo

    60 minutes

    Organ solo

  3. Grace for KlettWood

    2021 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    5 minutes

    Clarinet and piano

  4. KNOH!

    2021 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    14 minutes

    Clarinet and piano

  5. EKSTASIS

    2020 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    45 minutes

    String quartet

  6. PNEUMA

    2020 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    10:45 minutes

    Piano quartet

  7. CARVED IN STONE

    2020 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    9:30 minutes

    1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/2perc/1.1.1.1.1

  8. ENSEMBLE

    2018 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    41 minutes

    1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/pno/clst/2perc/1.1.1.1.0

  9. Three Years On

    2016 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    12 minutes

    Cello, percussion, zither, and electronics

  10. The Whistle Quartet

    2018 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    String quartet and four referee whistles

  11. Deadlock, Drifting . . . .

    2017 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    16 minutes

    Soprano saxophone and piano

  12. Fluctuate only

    2017 • Simon Christensen

    Solo

    4:33 minutes

    English horn solo

  13. Slack Water

    2016 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    12 minutes

    Two violins

  14. Rockin' Sine Slow

    2016 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    30 minutes

    Amplified flute, accordion, toy piano, viola & live electronics

  15. Zing Spiral for violin

    2016 • Simon Christensen

    Educational Music

    Violin solo

  16. Zing Spiral for piano

    2015 • Simon Christensen

    Educational Music

    Piano solo

  17. Piano Piece Anno 2015

    2015 • Simon Christensen

    Solo

    9 minutes

    Piano solo

  18. Untitled

    2015 • Simon Christensen

    Solo

    8 minutes

    Percussion solo

  19. Afore

    2015 • Simon Christensen

    Choir

    15 minutes

    for sixteen solo voices divided into four groups

  20. Chamber Cinema Set

    2014 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    40 minutes

    Zth, vcl, perc, live-elec/video

  21. Manifest

    2013 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    75 minutes

    String quartet

  22. Caccini Monodies

    2013 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    45 minutes

    vlc, perc and electronics

  23. Feed Lifting Sound

    2013 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    50 minutes

    2 female voices, perc (zither + electronics)

  24. Octet

    2012 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    7:30 minutes

    Fl, cl in Eb, perc, pno, 2 vl, vla, vlc

  25. Monody

    2012 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    37 minutes

    for cello, zither and electronics

  26. Arccos Fallen Tune

    2012 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    31 minutes

    Sopranino sax, vl, zither, perc and electronics

  27. TRIBUTES - Pulse

    2011 • Simon Christensen

    Other

    60 minutes

    Saxophone, percussion, laptop and violin

  28. Circular Music

    2009 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    15 minutes

    S-sax, cl, trb, perc, pno, live-electronics, vl I, vlc, cb

  29. The 1971 Connection

    2008 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    6:30 minutes

    Big Band (Acl (Eb), A-sax, 2 T-sax, Bar-sax, 4 trp, 3 trb, B-trb, drums, el-guit, pno/Rhodes, cb)

  30. Sized the Uneven

    2009 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    fl, perc, live-electronics

  31. Towards Nothingness

    2009 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    9:15 minutes

    String quartet, laptop and 4 guitar combos

  32. Circuiting the Stroke

    2009 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    13:51 minutes

    4 perc

  33. The Elastic Track

    2006 • Simon Christensen

    Orchestra

    12 minutes

    3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/3 perc/arpa/pno/archi

  34. Music à 3

    2006 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    12:30 minutes

    sax, perc, acc

  35. Parade Cracks

    2005 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    23 minutes

    1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/perc/pno/1.1.1.1.1

  36. The Sax's Track 1 & 2

    2005 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    S-sax, A-sax, T-sax, B-sax

  37. Music à 2 Anno 2012

    2012 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    8 minutes

    Alto Saxophone in Eb and Piano

  38. Extraction

    2002 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    18 minutes

    Alto trombone solo + vla, vlc, cb

  39. Saxofilia

    2003 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    7 minutes

    Tenor saxophone solo + 0.0.0.0/0.1.2.0/perc/pno/1.1.1.1.1

  40. Happiness in Slavery

    2001 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    7 minutes

    Mezzo-soprano solo + cl, perc, pno, vla, cb

  41. Studies

    2002 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    trb, perc

  42. Rapprochement

    2001 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    12 minutes

    cl, pno, vlc

  43. Concerto for Harp, Sinfonietta and two Conductors

    2000 • Simon Christensen

    7+ Instruments

    16 minutes

    Harp solo + 1.0.1.1/1.1.1.0/arpa/pno/1.1.1.1.0

  44. Grace

    2001 • Simon Christensen

    2-6 Instruments

    25 minutes

    Clarinet and Piano

  45. Piano Concerto

    1999 • Simon Christensen

    Orchestra

    19:30 minutes

    Piano solo + 3.3.3.3/4.4.3.1/2 perc/5.0.0.6.4

  46. Variationer

    1999 • Simon Christensen

    Orchestra

    12 minutes

    2.2.2.2/2.2.2.1/2 perc/four-hand piano/1.1.0.3.3




Advanced works search

News

  1. Live performance of Simon Christensen's Chamber Cinema Set

    general

    Live performance of Simon Christensen's Chamber Cinema Set

  2. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation 2023

    nominations / awards

    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation 2023

  3. Simon Christensen · Musikkens Miks

    general

    Simon Christensen · Musikkens Miks

  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. Simon Christensen 50 years today

    general

    Simon Christensen 50 years today

  4. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    nominations / awards

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  5. DVD release · Simon Christensen

    general

    DVD release · Simon Christensen

  6. Premieres and performances · KLANG festival

    general

    Premieres and performances · KLANG festival

  7. 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

  8. Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

    general

    Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

  9. RELEASE · Educate·S · Pieces for Violin

    general

    RELEASE · Educate·S · Pieces for Violin

  10. Educate·S · Pieces for Piano recorded

    general

    Educate·S · Pieces for Piano recorded

  11. Save 25% on all solo pieces

    general

    Save 25% on all solo pieces

  12. Simon Christensen world premiere and more

    general

    Simon Christensen world premiere and more

  13. Win the music Christmas present of the year

    general

    Win the music Christmas present of the year

  14. Simon Christensen's string quartet on tour

    general

    Simon Christensen's string quartet on tour

  15. Edition·S composers at KLANG

    general

    Edition·S composers at KLANG

  16. Simon Christensen's 'Octet' at ISCM 2018

    general

    Simon Christensen's 'Octet' at ISCM 2018

  17. World premiere of Simon Christensen’s solo piece

    general

    World premiere of Simon Christensen’s solo piece

  18. Deadlock, Drifting – new duo piece by Simon Christensen

    general

    Deadlock, Drifting – new duo piece by Simon Christensen

  19. Martin Stauning piece kicks off new 4’33 Phil season

    general

    Martin Stauning piece kicks off new 4’33 Phil season

  20. Morten Olsen headlines Athelas Sinfonietta season opener

    general

    Morten Olsen headlines Athelas Sinfonietta season opener

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

    general

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

  22. Educate·S - New Music for Music Schools

    general

    Educate·S - New Music for Music Schools

  23. Sneak peek of new Edition·S project

    general

    Sneak peek of new Edition·S project

  24. Four New Composer Portraits

    general

    Four New Composer Portraits

  25. Simon Christensen's MANIFEST

    general

    Simon Christensen's MANIFEST

  26. Danish Music in St Petersburg

    general

    Danish Music in St Petersburg

  27. Simon Christensen in musical dialogue with the Italian Baroque

    general

    Simon Christensen in musical dialogue with the Italian Baroque

  28. The Programme for Suså Festival 2015 Has Been Released

    general

    The Programme for Suså Festival 2015 Has Been Released

  29. Simon Christensen's new movie project: Mail

    general

    Simon Christensen's new movie project: Mail

  30. Wien Modern Festival 2013

    general

    Wien Modern Festival 2013

  31. Edition·S composers home and abroad

    general

    Edition·S composers home and abroad

  32. Nordic Music Days 2013

    general

    Nordic Music Days 2013

  33. Simon Christensen Premiere Tonight

    general

    Simon Christensen Premiere Tonight

  34. Edition·S Concert at Copenhagen Jazz Festival

    general

    Edition·S Concert at Copenhagen Jazz Festival

  35. ILK’s 10th Anniversary at Copenhagen Jazz Festival

    general

    ILK’s 10th Anniversary at Copenhagen Jazz Festival

  36. Spanish Premiere of TRIBUTES - Pulse

    general

    Spanish Premiere of TRIBUTES - Pulse

  37. Edition·S at VinterJazz

    general

    Edition·S at VinterJazz

  38. Contemporary Music Mirrors

    general

    Contemporary Music Mirrors

  39. Simon Christensen premiere at Villingerød Church

    general

    Simon Christensen premiere at Villingerød Church

  40. TRIBUTES – Pulse performed live in Washington

    general

    TRIBUTES – Pulse performed live in Washington

  41. Two premieres at SPOR Festival 2012

    general

    Two premieres at SPOR Festival 2012

  42. A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

    general

    A Busy Spring for Edition·S Composers

  43. Edition·S and SPOR festival join forces

    general

    Edition·S and SPOR festival join forces

  44. TRIBUTES - Pulse screening at BAFICI in Buenos Aires

    general

    TRIBUTES - Pulse screening at BAFICI in Buenos Aires

  45. TRIBUTES – Pulse screening in Washington DC

    general

    TRIBUTES – Pulse screening in Washington DC

  46. TRIBUTES – Pulse at International Film Festival Rotterdam

    general

    TRIBUTES – Pulse at International Film Festival Rotterdam

  47. TRIBUTES - Pulse selected for IFF Rotterdam

    general

    TRIBUTES - Pulse selected for IFF Rotterdam

  48. TRIBUTES – Pulse at Festival Du Nouveau Cinema

    general

    TRIBUTES – Pulse at Festival Du Nouveau Cinema

  49. Edition·S at Music China in October

    general

    Edition·S at Music China in October

  50. Creative travelling on first class

    general

    Creative travelling on first class

  51. Politiken gives five hearts to TRIBUTES – Pulse

    general

    Politiken gives five hearts to TRIBUTES – Pulse

  52. A Requiem for the 20th Century

    general

    A Requiem for the 20th Century

  53. TRIBUTES – Pulse. Official trailer out now!

    general

    TRIBUTES – Pulse. Official trailer out now!

  54. TRIBUTES – Pulse. Look inside the drama of the creative process!

    general

    TRIBUTES – Pulse. Look inside the drama of the creative process!

  55. New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

    general

    New string quartets released on Dacapo Records

Show More News

Calendar

  1. November 2021
  2. 21

    November

    Simon Christensen: KNOH!

    time14:00

    location Utzon Center, Aalborg, Denmark

    performed by Duo KlettWood

  1. June 2022
  2. 16

    June

    Simon Christensen: Passacaglia Nor Allemande

    time16:30

    location Helligåndskirken, Copenhagen, Denmark

    performed by Peter Navarro-Alonso

  3. 30

    June

    Simon Christensen: PNEUMA

    time20:00

    location Rundetårn, Copenhagen, Denmark

    performed by Rudersdal Chamber Players