Peter Byrom-Smith
Having been actively discouraged from becoming a musician made him all the more determined to pursue a career from his life’s passion… music! From an early age he taught himself to play and read music, mostly in secret so he could communicate his ideas; he found it easier to share his personal thoughts in music.
By his last year of school he was able to give recitals including some of his own compositions in the programmes… the first premiers of his work! Studying and playing the music of the masters who inspired him seemed the diametrical opposite to his own life, at that time, on a council estate in a northern town in England.
Peter has worked as choir master, musical director for theatre, music teacher as well as performing with musicians from every genre of music all the while composing at every spare moment.
However, determined as he was to share his musical imagery, little did he realise supporting himself over the years in these many diverse fields of music., that his work would be performed, recorded and broadcast, taking him on many trips throughout the U.K., Europe and the U.S.A.
Commissions and premieres for 2012 include ‘Three Songs’ (baritone and piano), ‘Landscape With Trees’ (guitar quartet), ‘A Suffolk Serenade’ (small orchestra), ‘Four Quarters’ (soprano and orchestra), ‘Annabelle’s New Life’ (solo guitar), plus other works for Brass Quintet and a work for Piano and Percussion.
Of course working with many wonderful players, whom it is always a great a privilege to work with and hear perform my compositions also to whom I’m deeply indebted… because without a performer the composer’s voice is in reality, silent.