Peter Jonatan’s magnetic musical journey began at the tender age of four, A keyboard demonstration at his kindergarten triggered his insatiable passion for the piano. A distinguished composer, arranger, orchestrator, and fervent educator, Peter Jonatan stands as an exemplary musician in the contemporary classical and jazz scene. A teacher at both Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory of Music, he has shown much dedication to nurturing the next generation of musical maestros. His innovative approach to education, integrating technology-driven and project-based curriculum delivery, continues to shape the landscape of musical academia.
Holding a Masters and Doctorate in Musical Arts in Jazz Studies from the prestigious New England Conservatory, and a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music, Peter’s academic proficiency interweaves with his virtuosic piano performances, captivating audiences worldwide.
The Psalms Symphony, a collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, is a testament to his multifaceted talents. It’s a commanding project that explores the biblical Book of Psalms for its emotional potential. Psalms Symphony parallels the classical symphonic form, with a big opening theme and variations (“God, the Magnificent King,” Psalm 29), an adagio (“God, the Merciful,” Psalm 136), a scherzo (“God, the Protector,” Psalm 121) and an even bigger finish (“God, the Savior, and Holy Judge,” Psalm 96, with full choir and soloists). The jazz element is fervent, with pianist Jasper Soffers, bassist Aram Kersbergen, and drummer Martijn Vink’s performances being central to the delivery of the project.
“Each movement describes God’s character as portrayed by the Psalmist,” says Jonatan. “There is a singular recurring motive, depicting God, appearing in different variations throughout all four movements. Stylistically, the symphony merges classical and jazz with influences from different genres such as gospel, film, and video game scores. These are all musical styles that have shaped me as a composer.” The album “Psalms Symphony” with Metropole Orkest is available now. Visit Peter Jonatan’s official website for further information.
About Author
