Today, Australia lost a musical giant with the passing of composer Peter Sculthorpe AO OBE.
From his humble beginnings in Tasmania, Peter Sculthorpe studied in post-war London, but returned to Australia and changed the country's music landscape forever.
Peter was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977 and Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1990.
His ‘Sun Music’ series of compositions from the 1960s was the dawning of the first identifiably Australian sound in classical music.
Peter Sculthorpe sought to render into music the earth, sea, sky and history of our country.
He influenced audiences and musicians around the world, and he was a deeply respected mentor and teacher to subsequent generations of composers.
Peter Sculthorpe much deepened Australia's musical voice and our country is forever richer because of him.
8 August 2014