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        Peter Kerkelov (b. 1984) is a Bulgarian composer. A musician possessing ascetic sincerity and profound straightforwardness, his works very often cross over the limits of mere sonic games and aim to the fields of philosophy, to those other art forms – elements of which he integrates in his conceptions. 

        His composition “Attempt at screaming” is the winner of 59th International Rostrum of Composers (IRC) organized by the International Music Council (IMC) in Stockholm, 2012 in the “under 30” category in performance by ensemble “Musica Nova” (Sofia) under Dragomir Yossifov. His "Time Etudes" for orchestra was among the top 10 "recommended works" at the 63rd IRC in Wroclaw, 2016. Other awards include a scholarship from the British Music Society; a scholarship from the Wagner Society and he is two-time scholarship winner for classical music from the Raina Kabaivanska Foundation.

        Kerkelov’s music has sounded in Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria and the USA on distinguished venues such as Konzerthaus Wien, Gaudeamus Music Week (The Netherlands) and the annual New Bulgarian Music Preview (Bulgaria) in performances by Asko/Schoenberg Ensemble (The Netherlands), "Bang on a Can All-Stars" (USA), Ensemble PHACE (Austria), Ensemble "Musica Nova" (Bulgaria), Ruysdael Kwartet (The Netherlands) among others.

        He has been selected for masterclasses with Louis Andriessen, David Lang and Kaija Saariaho.

        Current projects include accordion solo composition for Krassimir Sterev (Klangforum Wien); musical theater piece in collaboration with the Russian/Israeli director Masha Nemirovsky for the 2019 European capital of culture Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Previously Peter Kerkelov has been commissioned by The Bulgarian National Radio for "Time Etudes" for orchestra, two female choirs and voice solo; The Royal Conservatoire (The Hague) on the occasion of opening year 2011/2012; Duo Cajon and Ruysdael Kwartet on the occasion of Dutch Chamber Music Society's 100th anniversary.

        His scores have been published and recorded by Union of Bulgarian Composers, Bulgarian National Radio, “BalkaNota” and AMDFA. The publishing of his first author’s CD is expected in the beginning of 2014 by the independent Ukrainian label da_sein_rec.

        P. Kerkelov is currently pursuing PhD in Ethnomusicology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He holds as well Master’s degree in composition from The Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, The Netherlands, where he studied under Martijn Padding and Guus Janssen; Master's degree in composition under prof. Dimitar Tapkov and Bachelor degree in classical guitar under Milena and Valentin Valchevi from Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts (AMDFA) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Kerkelov has specialized composition with prof. Dan Dediu at the National Music University in Bucharest, Romania, 2006/2007, graduating with distinction.