Biography

Born in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1929. He was educated at Launceston Church Grammar School, the University of Melbourne, and Wadham College, Oxford. He has taught at the University of Sydney since 1963, where he is currently an Emeritus Professor. He has also taught at music institutions and universities both within Australia and internationally. He holds honorary degrees from Tasmania, Melbourne, Sussex, Griffith, and Sydney. In 1977, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal in the same year. In 1990, he was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Works and Influences

Sculthorpe's works number over 350. Excluding his early compositions, many of his works are frequently performed and recorded worldwide. Sculthorpe has continued to write in various forms. The majority of his music is influenced by Australia's social climate and topographical characteristics. Furthermore, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, as well as Indonesian Gamelan music, have had a decisive impact on his musical language.

Themes and Concerns

Sculthorpe holds a deep affection for his home country, Australia, and its landscapes, considering them sacred. Consequently, one of the constant themes in his artistic endeavors is the environmental protection of Australia and the entire planet. A strong awareness of human fragility is evident in works such as the choral work Requiem (2004) and String Quartet No. 16 (2006). The former was born from thoughts dedicated to women and children killed in the Iraq War, while the latter emerged from the suffering of those deprived of freedom.

Awards and Recognition

Sculthorpe has received numerous awards, but he considers his selection as one of the following to be particularly significant:

• 1997: National Trust of Australia, 100 Australian Living National Treasures
• 2001: International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), Distinguished Artist
• 2003: American Academy of Arts and Letters, Honorary Foreign Life Member
• 2006: The Bulletin magazine, "100 Most Influential Australians"