Krister Hansén was born on the 1st May, 1966 in Vuollerim in Norrbotten, and grew up in Piteå in the north of Sweden. Composer and teacher of music theory. Studied composition with Jan Sandström and Rolf Martinsson. Diplomas in composition and music theory from the Malmö College of Music 1995, and M.A in composition from the Piteå college of Music 2007. He also studied with teachers such as Gerard Grisey, Klaus Huber, Harrison Birtwhistle, Bent Sörensen, and Olav Anton Thommesen. He is currently working at the conservatory in Tromsø, Norway. Member of the Society of Swedish Composers (FST) since 1997.
 
Krister Hansén has composed music in a variety of musical techniques and genres, but is now focusing on music for orchestra. His first symphony was finished during 2007 and in 2008 the small violin concerto Luciano was awarded first prize in Concorso di Composizione Musica e Arte in Rome. The biggest achievement so far was when Laterna Magica - String Quartet No. 1 was released on CD in Europe, Japan and the USA, with Cecilia Zilliacus and the Tämmel Quartet.
 
“Working as a composer, I aim to establish a solid base for my compositions with the musicians, and to ensure that the music has a topical interest, not just from an aesthetic viewpoint. This topicality can equally well emanate from the demands of the person who has commissioned the work as from an event in real life or society.“

Krister Hansén 2008