RAY NÆSSÉN. Born in Varberg on 4th January 1950, died in Khao Lak, Thailand on 26th December 2004. He studied at the Kappelsberg School of Music (1971-1973) and took a woodwind teaching certificate from the Framnäs Community College in 1977. Between 1977-80, he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and included conducting and composition in his course work. Thereafter he worked as bassoonist, music teacher and conductor. From 1981 to 1984 he played bassoon for the Regional Music Foundation Gotland. He has served as conductor for the Gotland Chamber Orchestra, and he was until his death teaching at the municipal music school in Visby.

Næssén did not begin composing until 1991, in part because he saw himself primarily as a musician and a conductor. He explained that his compositional effort was in part the result of his command of several instruments. His stated goal was to create music that is musically organic and natural. As a result of this player proximity, his compositions have focused on chamber music of all types, though without therefore distancing himself from larger formats.

His works include a wind quintet titled "Ikaros" (1995), the "Mimesis" string quartet (1994), the "Sonata divina" for bassoon and piano (1996), various bassoon quartets and octets, as well as the "Sonata Litorina" for cello and piano (1997). He also wrote several works for various orchestral and choral combinations.
(Translation: Sven Borei)