Dean, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore
Composer Peter Tornquist grew up in Sweden, Switzerland and Brazil, settling in Norway for studies with Lasse Thoresen and concluding his education at the Royal College of Music in London with George Benjamin.
Tornquist has had major works performed by ensembles such as the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and the London Sinfonietta. His work focuses on the interaction between composers and performers through live electronics and improvisation. The theories and methods associated with this approach pioneered the development of artistic research in Norway.
His academic experience covers the fields of composition, electronic music, improvisation and music theory. He has also contributed extensively to the development of phenomenological approaches to music analysis based on the writings of Pierre Schaeffer.
Peter Tornquist has been an active voice in political and organizational aspects of the Norwegian society throughout his career, as president of Ny Musikk (ISCM), and as vice chairman of the Norwegian Composer’s Association and of TONO (Norwegian Performing Rights Society). He has extensive experience of public office at local and regional level, having successfully participated in local elections from 2007 to 2015.
As Principal of the Norwegian Academy of Music since 2013, Tornquist has contributed to the development of higher music education through a widening network of strategic national and international partnerships. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2017 in recognition for his services to music.
