Peter Sculthorpe (1929 – 2014)

It is with deep sadness that Wildbird writes of the death of Peter Sculthorpe.

Peter Sculthorpe was one of Australia’s finest composers. His work included 18 String Quartets, orchestral, choral, dramatic and chamber music.

The author of Wildbird’s new book The Music of Peter Sculthorpe, John Peterson, and editor Brian Howard, both former students of Peter Sculthorpe, were able to visit him in Wolper Jewish Hospital shortly before his death to give him a copy of the new book on his music. Sculthorpe had eagerly followed the progress of the book and he was clearly pleased to receive the first copy.

Many of Australia’s current principal composers are former students of Peter Sculthorpe and his contribution to Australia’s music through his teaching and his own considerable output was enormous.

He will be greatly missed.