Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen studied theory, music history and composition at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. In 1967-72 he taught at the Jutland Academy of Music after which he earned his living by composing. After some years working with serialism, he developed his own style in the sixties - later called the ‘new simplicity’. From then on his music has been characterized by repetition, the grotesque, simple motifs and rhythms, bold timbres, and heterogeneous material in polyrhythmic layers. Behind the constant, fierce provocations in his music lies a moving sensitivity and an umcompromising, authentic expressiveness which is often overlooked in one’s first encounter wiith the music, but which grows stronger with familiarity. He has written orchestral works, choral works, chamber and solo music.