Swedish composer Mika Pelo writes music for soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras, with or without electronics. After studies in Stockholm, Pelo moved to New York to pursue a doctorate in composition under the supervision of French composer Tristan Murail. This fall, Pelo joined the music faculty at UC Davis, and is also co-directing the university’s new music group Empyrean Ensemble. Pelo gained international attention with the string orchestra piece Apparition, nominated for the Gaudeamus Prize in Holland in 2000 and performed by the Dutch Radio Chamber Orchestra under the supervision of Peter Eötvös.

His music is performed on both sides of the Atlantic, and upcoming performances include a new piece for violin and wind instruments; the string quartet Up, Down, Charm, Strange will be performed in Prague; and a new piece for chamber ensemble will be performed by the Manhattan Sinfonietta in May 2009. Up, Down, Charm, Strange will also be released on CD with the Swedish string quartet Nya Stenhammarkvartetten.

Mika Pelo’s music is published by German publisher Edition Peters.