Peter Sculthorpe

Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe was born on 29 April 1929 in Launceston, Tasmania. He studied at Melbourne University's Conservatorium of Music and with Egon Wellesz at Wadham College, Oxford, UK.

He left Oxford before completing his doctorate, when his father was dying, returning to Australia, and settled in Sydney, where he lectured at the University.

He's best known for the orchestral works Earth Cry and Kakadu, which evoke the sounds and feeling of the Australian landscape. His most substantial work was probably the Requiem, first peformed in Adelaide in 2004.

Sculthorpe, widely recognised as Australia's highest profile composer, died on 8 August 2014 in Sydney, aged eighty-five.

A selection of articles about Peter Sculthorpe

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Sound Below Zero

Classical music news. Le Poisson Magique - Resonus issues John McCabe's complete organ music on CD to mark the composer's eightieth birthday year

CD Spotlight. A Deep Understanding - John McCabe's 'lost' Australian recording, commended by Geoff Pearce. 'The music is unfamiliar, but interesting, full of surprises and variety, and the fine piano playing is insightful and committed.'

A Tremendous Creative Output - Geoff Pearce muses on the career of Peter Sculthorpe

Ensemble. An Individual Spirituality - Contemporary music from London's Trinity Laban Conservatoire, heard by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Darkness to light - Malcolm Tattersall is at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music

CD Spotlight. Contrasting styles - Peter Sculthorpe's music for cello, explored by Ron Bierman. '... beautifully-played cello.'