Hans Abrahamsen turns 60 on December 23 – but has no time to rest. After the huge success of his 2008 chamber work Schnee, the Danish composer has many great performances and exciting commissions and projects lined up.

His orchestration of Claude Debussy’s Children’s Corner – a refined masterpiece – will receive national premieres all over Europe; meanwhile the Berlin Philharmonic with charismatic soprano Barbara Hannigan has commissioned a 30 minute song cycle based on Paul Griffiths' novel “let me tell you”. On top of that, Simon Rattle will lead a performance of the Double Concerto – originally written for Lauma and Baiba Skride – in celebration of the eminent conductor receiving the prestigious Danish Léonie Sonning music prize.

It is not only orchestral works that draw attention to Abrahamsen as 2012 comes to an end. His new fourth string quartet – premiered at the Witten Festival in April this year – is featured at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, and more performances are planned in 2013 thanks to the Arditti String Quartet’s impressive efforts to present the music of this unique Danish master to the world. In short: turning 60 looks quite promising for Abrahamsen.