Contemporary Music in Denmark - Then and Now
During the post-war period, Danish 'classical' music was characterised by neo-classical leanings. Around 1960, however, the younger generation of composers was inspired by the central European avant-garde, but by the middle of the sixties a reaction had already set in, with the launch of the concept of 'new simplicity'. In Denmark, a specifically Danish kind of minimalism thus arose well before this term became an internationally well-known musical concept. Several of today's composers have their aesthetic roots in this movement.

The contemporary music scene today is characterised by motley diversity. Inspiration from the most important Danish composer personalities is combined with influences from the international music scene. Genres mix, and electronic music, performances and improvisation are making an ever greater impact. With the help of electronics, "audio art" is being created by a new type of composer, not all of whom necessarily possess the traditional theoretical and practical skills of the composer's trade.

Live concert performance remains however the norm – a few years ago, unofficial statistics revealed that an average of one new Danish work is premiered every day on an annual basis. This is not least due to the fact that many young musicians have specialised in new music, and that many new works are created through a fertile interaction between composers and musicians.