Pete M Wyer

STATS Rank: 9,672 Views: 2,564

Born: March 24, 1964 Primary Instrument: Composer/conductor/leader

Pete M. Wyer has been described as a “pioneering, transatlantic composer*” and is from a self-taught background. He started out as a guitarist touring and recording with numerous bands in the 1980’s and 90’s.

He has since been a guest composer with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2003) Opera North (2006) and with the Juilliard School, New York (2002/5/6).

He has produced many scores for concert performance, such as Chelsea-Chelsea for string quartet, two saxophones and reader, which was performed simultaneously at Jazz at Lincoln Centre, New York and the 606 Club, London, via internet link in 2005.

He also has a longstanding track record in collaboration, including Senbazuru for the Juilliard Orchestra, which was choreographed by Jessica Lang and performed at Lincoln Centre, New York, 2006 and Machine for Living with choreographer Carol Brown at the Corn Exchange, Brighton, 2000.

His works for media and television have included several series including the BAFTA nominated Roman Mysteries (2006/7/8) for the BBC and a number of TV commercials.

He is also the creator of a series of ground-breaking projects, including a new system of music writing called time-structured scoring, which has been adopted by orchestras, universities and performers internationally, as well as a world-wide installation project, which makes simultaneous recordings, giving a “God’s ear view” of the world, called Simultaneity, which made a simultaneous recording in 23 countries around the world, featuring clocks, watches, announcements etc marking the hour.

His ongoing fascination for spoken word with score has resulted in the recording project Stories from the city at night, combines spoken word, sound design, scored music and song. A first CD is released by Thirsty Ear Records, New York in Autumn 2008.

His music theatre company SharpWire with singer, actor and cello virtuoso, Matthew Sharp has toured internationally, with Pete writing libretto and score for 4 one hour works: Adam’s Apple (2003/4), Cremenville (2006), Johnny’s Midnight Goggles (2007), You Must Have This (2008). A further work Finkelstein’s Castle has been commissioned for 2009.

He is currently developing a new opera in conjunction with National Theatre and English National Opera, with Bryony Lavery, John Keane and Phyllida Lloyd. He lives in Brighton, UK.

Awards:

MacDowell Fellowship 2008

Last Updated: November 28, 2008

On ‘Johnny’s Midnight Goggles’ by Pete M Wyer

“…not only truly original but fantastically entertaining…spellbinding and often hilarious…the beguiling mix of spoken word and opera, with live cello accompaniment is a real triumph. It shouldn't work, but it does. Brilliantly, too.” MetroLife

‘Mesmerising…” The Evening Standard

‘A story worthy of the Arabian nights” Time Out

'....the ‘one’, the Holy Grail, the great find of the whole season ....in the case of this year’s mainstream festival it is ‘Johnny’s Midnight Goggles’ by Pete M Wyer.....buy, steal, beg and queue to get a ticket to this show. If you do get a seat, you will not regret it.' Brighton Magazine 2008

“Among the many highlights is the surrealist, riotous one-man show 'Johnny's Midnight Goggles' (Aug 1st) involving a kidnap, the Black Camel of Takrilakastan (well, why not?) and, of course, the goggles, which open a portal to another world...” Londontown.com

On ‘Adam’s Apple’ by Pete M Wyer

“an intoxicating and intimate passion play of sound, song, movement, and video has been mesmerizing audiences across the United Kingdom. Matthew Sharp is a rare breed of performer: virtuoso cellist, opera singer, and actor. Pete M. Wyer is a guitarist and composer; his compositions span dance, concert hall, film, and theater. Wyer conjures the mythical from the everyday in this hypnotic odyssey - lyrical, haunting, and unlike anything you will have ever experienced. Adam's Apple connects these qualities into a unique live experience. “A spell-binding journey through the rhythm of life.” Manchester Evening News

‘Pick of the week’ - The Guardian on Adam’s Apple

‘A great British discovery’. WFMU New York.

“A pioneering transatlantic composer” The Independent, UK

“I am very happy to recommend the work of Pete M Wyer. Pete is an innovative young composer who works with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has impressed our musicians with his interesting musical ideas including time coded scores replacing conventional scores…” Ian Maclay, Managing Director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

A Bell Ringing in an Empty Sky (1999)
Machine For Living (2000)
Fourth Quarter (2001)

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