Peter Drew, Composer of Life

On this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes sat down with Peter Drew, a symphonist and jazz composer, to discuss his diverse life journey and his debut symphony, Reminiscence. Drew, born in Europe and later a refugee in the United States, recounted his early musical awakenings. He was first intrigued by the sound of the harmonica his stepbrother gave him. However, his musical trajectory truly shifted when, around the age of eleven, he heard Toscanini conducting Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on the radio. This experience deeply resonated with him, particularly the Ode to Joy, which became the first tune he learned on the harmonica, despite not being able to read music.

Although initially captivated by classical music and Beethoven, Drew's path to becoming a composer was far from traditional. He pursued various careers, including working in film distribution, catering, teaching film studies, and being a social studies teacher. Throughout these experiences, music remained a constant presence in his life; he would often "noodle around" on the clarinet. It wasn't until later in life that he began to seriously study music, taking lessons from clarinet players and exploring jazz. He eventually started arranging music and studying composers like Sibelius.

When the conversation turned to his symphony, "Reminiscence," Drew emphasized the amalgamation of his varied musical tastes and life experiences. He described his influences as a "mélange" or "stew" ranging from the American Songbook to Carl Orff, Villa-Lobos, Beethoven, Brahms, Artie Shaw, and even global music like Songs of the Auvergne, Tuvan throat singing, and Raga. He explained that his compositional process often begins with a melody he likes, perhaps played on his clarinet. He then develops this initial phrase, ensuring a natural flow between musical ideas without dissonance, remaining within the realm of Romantic Classical music.

Hughes inquired about the technical aspects of translating these diverse elements into a cohesive symphony, including orchestration. Drew admitted that while he can conceive melodies, he needed assistance with the intricate instrumentation for a large symphony orchestra. He collaborated with an orchestrator to achieve the desired sonic textures, ensuring that all the instrumental parts complemented each other.

Regarding the upcoming performance and recording of Reminiscence by the Boulder Symphony, Drew expressed his hope that listeners would simply "enjoy yourself" and "have fun". He doesn't expect the audience to be intimately familiar with all his diverse musical influences, but rather to connect with the music on an emotional level in the same way he was first drawn to Beethoven. Drew believes that if the music sounds and feels good, it will be enjoyable to listen to.

When asked about his late entry into composing a symphony, Drew, who is approaching 90, reflected that all his life experiences, both musical and non-musical, have informed his writing. He feels that composing, rather than performing, is his true strength and passion, representing an accomplishment after a lifetime of diverse pursuits. He finds satisfaction in creating music that others enjoy listening to and playing. When pressed for a favorite movement, Drew chose the third movement for its energy and the way all the musical elements come together. While acknowledging the profound impact of Beethoven on his early musical life, he noted that Reminiscence incorporates a wider range of influences, creating a unique sonic landscape.

 

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Special thanks to Peter Drew for sharing his music and story.

Musical selections from today’s episode:

 

“Hard Driver” from the album And What’s More composed and arranged by Peter Drew.

“Midnight