Peter Gregson – Peter Gregson (Decca Records US, 2025)
British cellist and composer Peter Gregson recently released his self-titled album, Peter Gregson. The project serves as a distilled expression of his evolving sound. Gregson’s sound is characterized by mixing western classical instrumentation with modular synthesis.
Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Wiltshire, England, the nine-track album presents what Gregson describes as “songs without words,” referencing the Romantic-era tradition made famous by Mendelssohn. The splendid, spellbinding compositions highlight his distinct cello style, layered with sounds generated through a custom-built modular synthesizer.
To achieve a seamless integration of acoustic and electronic elements, Gregson recorded the cello parts to analog tape and processed them digitally through his synthesizer. Uniquely, the system contains no oscillators, only a microphone input, meaning every electronic sound originates from the cello itself. This approach allows him to manipulate the full spectrum of the instrument’s natural output, including non-traditional sounds like scrapes and sub-bass tones.
The video for “Vision” follows Gregson through early-morning New York City. As the skyline stirs to life, the music builds in intensity, mirroring the city’s gradual awakening in both tone and pacing.
A prolific presence in contemporary western classical music, Gregson has released six solo albums since 2010, including three with Deutsche Grammophon. His work spans film, television, ballet, and gaming, with credits such as Blackbird, Netflix’s Waco: American Apocalypse, and PlayStation’s Boundless. His compositions have also appeared in Bridgerton, The New Pope, and campaigns for Balenciaga, Bvlgari, and Burberry. In addition, he has premiered works by composers such as Max Richter, Jóhann Jóhannsson, and Steve Reich.
Buy Peter Gregson.