Biography
Peter grew up in a very musical family, and studied piano, cello, and composition from a young age, and began composing seriously around the age of ten.
Peter's compositional style combines his classical-music training with his film-music experience to create music that is both technically well-crafted and emotionally powerful. Thus, much of his concert music (including holiday pops, choral music, and chamber music) has a distinctly dramatic and even cinematic flair to it.
Peter composes in a wide variety of music genres:
Choral Music: Peter learned the art of choral writing from a young age by being surrounded by a wealth of choral literature and exceptional choral performances — his father, Richard Bloesch, is a superb choral conductor and a respected authority on choral literature, having contributed frequently to ACDA's Choral Journal. Peter's choral music has been praised by conductors and choirs for being inventive, compelling, and a delight to sing. One of his choral pieces was recently premiered by the Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer on their Christmas concert series.
Holiday Pops Music: Peter received in-depth training in pops arranging from some of the greatest arrangers in Hollywood, including Joe Harnell, Angela Morley, and Irwin Kostal (arranger for “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins”). Peter's holiday music has been performed by symphonies and symphonic choirs across the country.
Film Music: While in Los Angeles, Peter worked with many legendary film composers, including Bruce Broughton, Jerry Goldsmith, and Henry Mancini. He was especially honored to work with celebrated television composer Mike Post on the TV hits “L.A. Law” and “Law & Order.” During this time, he won the competitive “Pete Carpenter Fellowship” award from BMI, an honor given once a year to the most promising young film composer.
Peter wrote the music for the documentary film “A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story,” a moving story about a disabled man's struggle for acceptance. This award-winning film has received multiple nationwide airings on PBS.
Peter was asked by renowned screenwriter and film producer Barry Morrow to write the featured song for Morrow's newest film. It's a romantic comedy called “All You Ever Wished For” (starring Darren Criss, of “Glee”), and it's now been released on DVD. (Morrow won a screenwriting Oscar for “Rain Man” in 1988.)
Chamber Music: Peter is actively involved in the world of chamber music, and has recently completed a piece called “Sketches of Scotland for Oboe and Piano.” This 4-movement, 16-minute work will be premiered by oboist Dr. Courtney Miller and pianist Minji Kwon in the near future. He's also working on a violin sonata, a cello sonata, and many other chamber pieces.
Peter has received many commissions from innovative chamber groups, such as Red Cedar Chamber Music, a critically acclaimed ensemble. He was recently commissioned by Red Cedar to write a Scottish folk song suite for violin and cello duo. Also, his commissioned work for Red Cedar called A Christmas Suite for Flute, Viola, and Guitar was recently published and is available from ALRY Publications.
Other Compositions: Peter also composes vocal music, orchestral music, and church music.
Peter's music has been described as “fresh,” “inspirational,” and having “haunting melodies.” You can hear his music by visiting the Listen and Watch page and by exploring his Vimeo videos.
Music has been a lifelong passion of mine. In this photo from 1973,
I'm enjoying some intense but fun chamber music with my brother, David.
(I'm on the right, playing cello.) David has become a wonderful violinist,
whereas I have channeled my musical energies into composition.
