Composer
Jan-Peter de Graaff (1992) studied music composition at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague under the tutelage of Guus Janssen, Calliope Tsoupaki and Diderik Wagenaar and at the Royal College of Music in London with Kenneth Hesketh. He graduated in 2016 (MMus) with the prize-winning opera “All Rise!” (Nicolaï fund award, 2016). Next to his composition studies he studied orchestral conducting with Alex Schillings and Lukas Groen. In 2018 he won the International Rostrum of Composers prize (under 30 category) with the composition “Le café de nuit”, which subsequently was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
His music is recognized by the wide spectrum of musical influences combined with clear shapes and clear dramaturgical arcs. No musical style, genre or method is eschewed in his works, from grand climaxes to sensitive soft tinkling textures, to create a musical landscape wherein Jazz-harmony is paired side-by-side with French-inspired orchestrations, Southern-European flavoured melodies, and Balkan rhythms in expressionistic gestures. Melodic, vividly colored, straight from the heart. Reviewers put it like this: “De Graaff’s biggest strength hides in a paradox: thrilling idleness” (De Volkskrant), “Searing climaxes” (De Limburger), “An astonishing ear for detail” (NRC), “A true wizard with orchestral colours” (DvhN).
His compositions are performed regularly in and outside Europe. Recent commissions came from the NTR Matinee at the Concertgebouw (Season 2023-2024), the Residentie Orchestra (Season 2024-2025), and the Dutch National Touring Opera (Season 2025-2026).
De Graaff’s works are published by Donemus Publishing B.V. and have been published on CD and a wide array of digital formats (including Dolby Atmos) on TRPTK and Seven Mountain Records.
PRESS
Part of the press or simply interested in Jan-Peter de Graaff? Here you can download the ZIP file to his press kit.
Jan-Peter through the years
Join Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and get regular updates about Jan-Peter’s newest compositions and concerts that you can enjoy.