Born in New York City where he studied, taught, and performed the classical guitar, Peter has played the standard repertoire—Bach, Sor, Tarrega, Albeniz, Granados, Ponce, Villa-Lobos, etc.—at concert venues in New York, Atlanta, Maine, Los Angeles and northern California. He has appeared on radio and TV, in concert with flutist Paul Horn and with chamber ensembles and symphony orchestra. His published works include Pieces for Classical Guitar, an anthology of music from the 18th to the 20th century transcribed for solo guitar, and The Rosewood Book an anthology for flute & guitar (see Author/Editor page).
Peter’s study of various pedagogical disciplines (Orff Schulwerk, TaKeTiNa, etc.) and traditional music of the world has taken him far beyond the confines of western classical music. His years in percussion groups playing African, Cuban, and Brazilian music, classes with master drummers (Babatunde Olatunji, C. K. Ladzekpo et al) his study of various instruments (e.g., tingklik, a bamboo xylophone of Bali), have brought a deeper understanding of the common musical ground throughout the world and, more importantly, a deeper understanding of the meaning of music in our life.
Around the turn of the century, Peter was sitting in a meditation retreat, trying to empty his mind, when a most wonderful idea for a movie came to him. It became The Way Home, a work still in progress. That project gave birth to vinca productions which has now completed a number of other film projects such as Speaking With A Thousand Tongues. (see Film page).
During his years in Maine, Peter built his own home, raised vegetables, his son Jubal and Strawberry Fields, an alternative school for which he was music director. Looking back, Peter says, “Everything I’ve done—music, film, teaching, family, writing, meditation—has taught me about growth and transformation. My journey continues—I’m sure this is the way home.”
Peter Greenwood Plays
Peter’s CD, Sola, presents pieces from the classical guitar repertoire—Bach, Ponce, Satie, Debussy, Lauro et al—and his own music played through electronic effects to create multiple rhythms, layered voicings and kaleidoscopic textures.