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Peter V. Swendsen is a contemporary classical music composer known for his innovative and experimental approach to composition. He was born in 1978 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist, so music was always a part of his life. Swendsen began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and guitar. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Michigan. Swendsen's early works were influenced by the minimalist and post-minimalist styles of composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. However, he soon began to develop his own unique style, which incorporates elements of electronic music, sound art, and improvisation. One of Swendsen's most notable works is "Resonant Earth," a multimedia piece that explores the sounds of the earth's crust. The piece was commissioned by the American Composers Forum and premiered in 2012. It features recordings of seismic activity and other natural sounds, which are manipulated and processed using electronic effects. Another notable work by Swendsen is "The Space Between Us," a piece for string quartet and electronics. The piece was commissioned by the JACK Quartet and premiered in 2014. It features a combination of live and pre-recorded sounds, which are manipulated and processed in real-time using a computer. Swendsen's music has been performed by a variety of ensembles and musicians, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Kronos Quartet. He has also collaborated with a number of artists and performers, including choreographer Emily Johnson and visual artist Michael Sommers. In addition to his work as a composer, Swendsen is also an educator. He has taught at a number of institutions, including the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Texas. Overall, Peter V. Swendsen is a composer who is known for his innovative and experimental approach to composition. His works incorporate a variety of styles and techniques, and often explore the intersection of music and other art forms.

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