Born in 1948, he divides his time between conducting and composition. He has conducted many acclaimed productions at the Royal Danish Opera and 'The Other Opera'. He also collaborates with the 'Operatic Escape Artists of Denmark'.
Contemporary music is another interest. In 1991 he founded the Danish Chamber Players, which, during his stint (lasting until 1995), achieved broad recognition. He has also worked with the famous Ensemble Modern and the 'Esbjerg' Ensemble.
His compositions have been performed in most of the European countries, the two Americas, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Selected works (since 1980): Flager (Floes) for chamber ensemble (2nd version 1981), Nocturne for piano (1983), Sol for oboe and piano (1983), Malinche's Story - A Symphonic Tale for narrator and orchestra (1984), Tai-Yang for chamber orchestra (1988), Saga Night for accordion (1992), Abandoned Gardens for trumpet and chamber orchestra (1993), Suite from 'Andersen's Kierkegaard' for percussion (1993), Tango for three sopranos and chamber ensemble (1994), Babylon Marching for baritone, reciter, cello and accordion (1995).

The piece Saga Night refers to an ancient Scandinavian literary tradition, as preserved about 800 years ago in written records of much older, oral but highly artistic tales of heroes, the common men, magic and day-to-day life. In a poetic verse, the Norwegian national anthem refers to 'the saga night descending with dreams upon our land.' The work is conceived as one unbroken stream of dream-like but urgent associations. It was commissioned by and is dedicated to the brilliant Norwegian accordionist Geir Draugsvoll.
Svend Aaquist