Born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1957. During his childhood, Werner Linden developed an intense affection for classical music and jazz. This led to studies in musicology, covering times from early medieval polyphony to outright contemporary and experimental music. His thesis was on the Venetian composer Luigi Nono, and the implications of political engagement in contemporary music.

His interest in jazz and experimental music brought him to study traditions off the European mainstream: Caribbean, West- and Southern African, later Balkan, Central Asian, Polynesian, and currently Scandinavian. Composing contemporary classical music, he tended towards the exploration of sound and structure, but also techniques of surrealist provenience, namely collage of styles. Off the classical paths, he likes to create pieces in a field of “imaginary folklore”, also including the soundscape of Dub music.

When working on traditional motifs, he clings to the original source, adding different layers of harmonies and counterpoints in a rather improvisatory manner.

Currently he lives near the city of Frankfurt/Main.