Peter Sculthorpe

Peter Sculthorpe (born April 29, 1929) is a noted Australian composer from Launceston, Tasmania. He is known primarily for his orchestral and chamber music, such as Kakadu (1988) and Earth Cry (1992), which evoke the sounds and feeling of the Australian bushland and outback. He has also written several string quartet, using unusual timbre effects, and works for piano.

Related Topics:
April 29 - 1929 - Australia - Composer - Launceston - Tasmania - Orchestra - Chamber music - 1988 - 1992 - Outback - String quartet - Timbre - Piano

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Sculthorpe begun writing music at an early age (at seven). As a young composer, he independently discovered the whole-tone scale, and was disappointed when he learned that Debussy had found it first. By thirteen, he had decided to make a career of music, despite many (especially his father) encouraging him to enter different fields, because he felt the music he wrote was the only thing that was his own.

Related Topics:
Whole-tone scale - Debussy

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In early adulthood, he wrote a piano sonatina for an ABC competition; however, the piece was rejected because it was too modern. For many years, Sculthorpe has conducted master classes and lectured at the University of Sydney, where he is now an emeritus Professor. He has stated that he wants his music to make people feel better and happier for having listened to it?hence, he has typically avoided the dense, atonal techniques of many of his contemporary composers.

Related Topics:
ABC - Master class - University of Sydney - Emeritus - Professor - Atonal

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His Requiem is possibly his most serious, substantial work to date. It was premiered in March 2004 in Adelaide by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Adelaide Chamber Singers conducted by Richard Mills, with didgeridoo soloist William Barton, to critical acclaim.

Related Topics:
Requiem - 2004 - Adelaide - Didgeridoo

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In 1982 a painting of Peter Sculthorpe by artist Eric Smith won the Archibald Prize, Australia's most famous portrait prize.

Related Topics:
Eric Smith - Archibald Prize

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