David Tunley
Australian musicologist and composer David Evatt Tunley was born in Sydney on 3 May 1930 and studied at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music. He taught music in Sydney (1953-57) then trained further - external degrees from Durham University in the UK and composition in Paris with Nadia Boulanger.
From 1958 until 1994 he taught music at the University of Western Australia and became known internationally for his research work on seventeenth century and eighteenth century French music and in particular on François Couperin. He was recognised as the leading authority on the eighteenth century French cantata, but also researched music education and twentieth century Australian and British music.
His output as a composer was small, but included choral, orchestral, chamber and instrumental music.
David Tunley died on 23 June 2024, aged ninety-four.