"Undoubtedly the most visionary composer of his generation” (Journal of Contemporary Arts, Tokyo)
"...music as a manifestation of the perceived world beyond traditional time paradigms. A sonic magic unfolding in continuous diversity...". Much of John Palmer’s music is characterized by a distinct awareness of sound, time and space. Sound unfolding in time and experienced as a syntactic priority of the musical discourse: a sensitivity for subtle transformations of timbre combined with a highly individual perception of space and silence. The latter proposing psychological and spiritual dimensions taking shape beyond any stylistic clichè. Since the early nineties Zen, and Buddhist philosophy in general, has become an increasing source of inspiration. His compositional techniques vary from work to work, from the application of vigorous methodologies to the most spontaneous unfolding of musical ideas based on pure intuition. (Stephen Hawkes, New York, 2004)
Palmer started playing the piano at the age of 6 and composing at the age of 15. He graduated in Piano Studies from the Conservatory of Music in Lucerne, Switzerland, having undertaken courses in composition and experimental improvisation with Edison Denisov and Vinko Globokar. Back to London, he undertook postgraduate studies in Composition at Trinity College of Music and completed a PhD in Composition at City University. Further studies include composition with Jonathan Harvey and conducting with Alan Hazeldine at the Guildhall School of Music. He was also a friend of John Cage, whose sense of acoustic adventure is much alive in his music. As a result of living in several countries, John Palmer has achieved an international cultural identity. He has equally been active in different musical genres: from 1976 to 1985 he composed and performed as a pianist, and directed several groups ranging from experimental music to free-jazz. Since the mid-eighties he has focused on instrumental, orchestral, vocal and chamber music, and in the early nineties he extended his compositional interests with electroacoustic resources.
