Abrahamsen is a pupil of Per Nøgård and Pelle Gudmundsen Holmgreen, but his particular point of stylistic departure also reflects a special trend in Danish music termed "New Simplicity" that emerged in the mid sixties.

Simplification and method are key concepts in Abrahamsen's work.

He is one of the generation most outstanding composers, and his orchestral work "Nacht und Trompeten" was first performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982.