photo by Jordan
Silverman
Critical Response
Work with the Vermont Youth Orchestra:
You know, there's a lot of youth orchestras all over the country, a lot of very good ones, and I've worked with a lot of them -- but there's something special here. There's a lot of giving here. This just says so much about Troy. He's doing a fantastic job. I mean, he really is, God bless him.
- violinist and conductor Jaime Laredo
The Vermont Youth Orchestra, under the direction of its music director and conductor and resident sorcerer, Troy Peters, has become an extremely viable musical instrument. They have gone from strength to strength in their performances, and they have become ambassadors of the kind of music making that has perfection as a goal, but musical integrity as an even higher goal. I am certain that graduates of the VYO will go to college and beyond and stay close to the music. They have learned with Peters what music is about, and surely wht they have learned will follow them lifelong.
- Dan Wolfe, The Shelburne News (Vermont)
The backbone of Sunday's success, which drew several standing ovations (not just for [Trey] Anastasio) was the Vermont Youth Orchestra, an ensemble of the region's outstanding high school-age musicians, led with skill and affection by Troy Peters. Anastasio proved himself more than a fine guitarist -- he seemed to almost breathe the jazzy lines, performing with a rhythmic freedom that made the music swing. Peters and the VYO proved his equal in bringing across this difficult new music -- it was clearly a labor of love.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
VYO director Troy Peters opens new doors of opportunity for talented young musicians.... By all accounts from those who know him, it’s a task for which he is ideally suited.
- Andrew Nemethy, The Times Argus (Vermont)
The VYO's Carnegie Hall debut was an undeniable triumph.... Peters' decision to program Vermont composers was a brilliant one, but it wouldn't have worked without the excellent playing by the Vermont Youth Orchestra.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
They played as they usually do for Peters, like seasoned veterans.
- Dan Wolfe, The Shelburne News (Vermont)
Anyone who thinks that classical music is dying has only to look at the Vermont Youth Orchestra. This year, some 400 students of all levels have been participating regularly in the organization.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
Guest conducting:
The Vermont Philharmonic’s annual holiday presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” was its best sounding yet, and it doesn’t hurt that it is some of the most beautiful music ever written.... Guest conductor Troy Peters lead the community forces in a very traditional but satisfying performance of Part I, the Christmas section plus the “Hallelujah” chorus, of Handel’s great oratorio that follows the entire life of Jesus Christ. The vocal soloists were particularly effective, and the orchestra played this work the best it has in memory.... Peters, music director of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, among other things, is an excellent musician and his instincts throughout proved effective... he created the grand feeling of “Messiah” and filled it with beauty.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
The Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble took its audience on a real musical adventure, delivering a particularly fine performance of William Walton’s fun and witty “Façade.”... Troy Peters skillfully conducted six players of the VCME in the colorful accompaniment.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
Between Hills Briefly Green:
Peters had specific members of the V.S.O. in mind in his scoring and gives well orchestrated passages to the flutes and French horns in particular. It is a delight to hear a piece of contemporary music that we would really like to hear again, to want to hear more of what Peters has written in the past, and to look forward to his future compositions.
- David K. Rodgers, Hardwick Gazette (Vermont)
"Between Hills Briefly Green," a programmatic piece based on Vermont's short summer, proved more than attractive. It opens quietly at sunrise with the glowing warmth of a summer scene, then begins taking on the summer's activities, including a Copland-like hoedown. The changing rhythms are infectious and harmonic language is largely tonal -- with just enough dissonance to keep it lively.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
Lament -- 9/11/01:
Most intimate was Colchester composer Troy Peters’ “Lament -- 9/11/01.” A long dark cello conversation with itself, played by Thurber Klimowski, leads to a short vocal lament, sung by Hallett-Levis, about a bird’s nest being destroyed. It was all quietly heartbreaking.
- Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)
Guyute and The Inlaw Josie Wales (with Trey Anastasio):
“Guyute” is the album’s longest piece, and arguably its finest. About 12 minutes of orchestral movement, listeners can hear emotive melodies that might have been drowned out in the din of a trap set. “The Inlaw Josie Wales” is another gem. The solo guitar piece originally recorded at the band’s Vermont recording studio has been redone for guitar and strings to create a foot-tapping, feel-good sound.
- Ryan Lenz, The Associated Press
Stately orchestral arrangements transcribe Anastasio's guitar-driven rock for the concert hall. It's what the Kronos Quartet might sound like if they played the jam-band circuit.
- Marc Weingarten, Entertainment Weekly
Anastasio and Troy Peters' mastery of orchestral arrangement is omnipresent in the album. Cleverly supported by both opposite and supporting melodies, the main themes of the songs covered are not lost in the arrangement.
Orchestrations for Rachel Bissex:
Troy Peters' elaborate orchestration... is heartfelt and touching.
Jim Lowe, The Times Argus (Vermont)