photo: Derek Buck

“Music has always been a kind of magic for me, a portal to other realms. When I was young, I was inspired by fantasy novels such as The Lord of the Rings, and I’m still drawn to myths and legends. I’ve written works on themes ranging from the sorcery of Merlin to the Callanish Stone Circle and the Torngat Mountains. My aim is to write music that invites audiences into other worlds, so they can re-discover their own sense of wonder.” –Daniel Perttu

Composers and writers whose works have influenced Perttu’s music include Mahler, Shelley, Rautavaara, Barber, and Keats. Critic Lee Passarella notes the “modal strains [in Perttu’s music] that recall the works of… Ralph Vaughan Williams and Ernest Bloch” (Audiophile Auditions). Perttu’s recent overture, To Spring, is based on an ode of the same name by poet William Blake. Writing for The Whole Note, Tiina Kiik characterizes Perttu’s Spring overture as being “majestic” and “lyrical.” And, in Textura, the authors describe the Spring overture as a “vivid, multi-hued scene painting packed with orchestral detail [that] feels like a blossoming, whether it be of youth or the natural world, and a triumphant one at that.”

Perttu’s music has been performed on four continents and in 40 U.S. states. His international credits include performances by the Niš Symphony Orchestra (Serbia), the Falcón Symphony Orchestra (Venezuela), and a recording by the Moravian Philharmonic (Czech Republic). In the states, his orchestral credits include the Firelands Symphony Orchestra (Ohio), Fox Valley Symphony (Wisconsin), Acadiana Symphony (Louisiana), Oklahoma Composers’ Orchestra, Greenville Symphony (Pennsylvania), Orchestra Omaha, and Lakeland Civic Orchestra (Ohio). 

Premieres slated for the 2021-2022 season included Perttu’s concert opener Phoenix with the Space Coast Symphony (Florida), his myth-inspired viola concerto Merlin, written for Brett Deubner and commissioned by the Perrysburg Symphony (Ohio), another piece inspired by legend, Nimuë, and his Planets Odyssey for piano and orchestra, written for Jeffrey Biegel and commissioned by the Canton Symphony (Ohio). 

Although Perttu always loved to compose, he was resistant to pursue composition as a career. As an undergrad, he hedged his bets by studying music and English. He also took numerous courses in psychology and neuroscience and even considered a career in law. When he was awarded a Jacob K. Javits Fellowship to study music in graduate school, he threw caution to the wind and decided to go “all in.” It worked. Upon graduating with his doctorate in composition, he took a position as a music professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and now teaches at Westminster College, where he also serves as Chair of the School of Music. He lives with his wife and two amazing daughters in bucolic New Wilmington PA.

Albums

Sparks: Eye of London

Release Date: October 28, 2022
Catalog Number: NV6454
21st Century
Orchestral
Orchestra
Navona Records presents SPARKS: THE EYE OF LONDON, an assembly of original fanfares performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Drawing from the compositional strengths of today’s composers, the orchestra navigates chaos and order, isolation, and ascension towards triumph through passionate orchestral writing reminiscent of the fire that burns within us. A collection spanning thought-provoking narratives, scenic synesthesia, soothing passages, and the whimsically abstract, the London Symphony Orchestra explores a vast musical landscape of emotions, tackling each with precision and verve.

Small Stones

Release Date: February 9, 2018
Catalog Number: NV6139
21st Century
Solo Instrumental
Piano
SMALL STONES showcases Dr. Nancy Zipay Desalvo’s exploration into both minute and immense concepts. Recorded on solo piano, DeSalvo performs the compositions translating the compressed beauty of Jason Tad Howard and the expansive universe of Daniel Perttu.

Tomorrow’s Air

Release Date: September 8, 2017
Catalog Number: NV6108
21st Century
Orchestral
Large Ensemble
Orchestra
Navona Records is proud to present TOMORROW’S AIR, a collection of contemporary music for large ensemble, written by composers in a variety of styles and genres. Listeners will recognize several names as PARMA regulars, including Daniel Perttu, Hans Bakker, and Paul Osterfield.

Pinnacle

Release Date: January 8, 2016
Catalog Number: NV6022
21st Century
Chamber
Navona Records presents PINNACLE, a compilation of contemporary chamber works by composers Hans Bakker, Steven Block, Peter Greve, Daniel Perttu, and Kevin M. Walczyk that highlight the melodic, emotive, and dramatic styles offered by some of today’s chamber music.

Foundations

Release Date: February 1, 2014
Catalog Number: NV5939
21st Century
Liturgical
Orchestral
Vocal Music
Choir
Orchestra
Excerpts from the Bible, text from the Middle Ages, and traditional instrumentation (organ, orchestral, and choral) form the basis of six composers' inspired works on FOUNDATIONS to create stirring, new contemporary classical music. By connecting to the roots of historical texts and musical conventions - in some cases the foundations of our collective cultures - these pieces present a modern spin on traditional materials, sounds, and forms.

Fine Music, Vol. 4

Release Date: May 1, 2013
Catalog Number: NV5916
21st Century
Concertos
Orchestral
Oboe
Orchestra
Saxophone
FINE MUSIC, VOL. 4 is the fourth compilation of the Navona Records Fine Music digital series. This installment features the works of David Nisbet Stewart, Brian Noyes, Jonathan Little, Daniel Perttu, Curt Cacioppo, Santiago Billoni, Alejejandro Rutty, Joanne Carey, Ludwig van Beethoven, Joseph Summer, Roger Bourland, Kjell Magne Andersen, and Jan Van der Roost.

Lock & Key

Release Date: September 1, 2012
Catalog Number: NV5881
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Flute
Piano
Violin
LOCK AND KEY opens the door to discover harmonious, melodic chamber works tied together by a shared understanding of the most treasured aspects of humanity. Through diverse experiences and impressionism, each composer highlights that which makes us human but is all too easy to hide away. Navona presents these works together as a reminder that inspiration can be found through appreciating the beauty of nature, the thrill of a first kiss, lighthearted fun on a night out, or simply by being alive.

Fine Music, Vol. 3

Release Date: January 1, 2012
Catalog Number: NV5868
21st Century
Chamber
Orchestral
Electronic
Orchestra
Piano Trio
FINE MUSIC, VOL. III is the third compilation of the Navona Records Fine Music digital series. This installment features the works of Lawrence Siegel, Sergio Cervetti, Tony Piccolo, Adrienne Albert, Daniel Perttu, Gerhard Stabler, Jane O'Leary, Jim Scully, Meira Warshauer, Piffaro, John Carollo, William Vollinger, Peter Van Zandt Lane, Lawrence Ball, and Benjamin Yusupov. This collection both highlights some of Navona's choicest tracks and offers a preview of things to come.

Light and Shadow

Release Date: April 1, 2011
Catalog Number: NV5847
21st Century
Orchestral
Orchestra
Light and Shadow is an all-new collection of modern orchestral works from composers Adrienne Albert, Daniel Perttu, Rain Worthington, Rebecca Oswald, Russ Lombardi and Tadd Russo. The works on this disc range from a musical depiction of the imagery of war to the representation of the impressionistic logic of dreams to a bold, tonal piece inspired by a property dispute. With all tracks shorter than nine minutes, this collection offers a succinct and powerful view into the world of modern orchestral composition.