In 2008, Matthew Peterson left North Dakota for Sweden. Since then, the Stockholm-based freelance composer has explored frontiers of sound and expression in music featuring vivid orchestrations, rhythmic vibrancy, expressive clarity, and emotional depth. His expansive output ranges from a chamber opera based on Wisconsin court cases, to modern settings of sacred texts, to stunning orchestral soundscapes.

CURRENT ACTIVITY

Peterson’s music has been commissioned and performed by musicians and ensembles around the world.  2015-16 features performances of And all the trees of the field will clap their hands (Västerås Sinfonietta, Dalasinfoniettan, and Jönköping Sinfonietta), Dawn: Redeeming, Radiant (Holland Symphony Orchestra), Näcken (violinist Claudia Schaer), and the world-premiere performance of Surgit Dorpatum in Tartu, Estonia (Academic Women's Choir of the University of Tartu). Recent commissions include a new work for Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble (Tumult and Flood) and Illinois Wesleyan University (January). In addition, Matthew will serve as guest-composer-in-residence at Northwestern University (Feb 2016) and Illinois Wesleyan University (March 2016). 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Matthew has been awarded the Fulbright Grant to Sweden, grand prize in the 2014 Uppsala tonsättartävling, the 2014 ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Award, 2015 Minnesota Orchestra composer institute, two BMI student composer awards, the 2014 Fort Worth Opera Frontiers Festival award for chamber opera, and other grants, honors, awards and recognitions from: Svensk Musik, FST (Swedish Composers Association), ASCAP, Manhattan Beach Music, Third Angle ensemble, New Lens concert series, Opera Vista, North-South Consonance, Indiana University, Boston Choral Ensemble, National Opera Association, vocal ensemble Chanticleer, Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra, Forth Worth Opera, Vocal Essence, and St. Olaf College.  

EDUCATION

Peterson (b. 1984, Grand Forks, ND USA) holds degrees from the Gotland School of Music Composition (artist diploma), Indiana University School of Music (M.M.) and St. Olaf College (B.M.). Currently a part-time instructor in composition and ear-training at Lilla Akademien, Matthew has also served on the faculty of the Gotland School of Music Composition (Visby, Sweden) and as an Associate Instructor in music composition at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Matthew is an avid outdoorsman and lives on the island Lovö, outside Stockholm, Sweden.