SSO to honour Sculthorpe
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will pay tribute to composer Peter Sculthorpe during a series of performances at the Sydney Opera House next week.
The internationally lauded Australian composer died in Sydney on Friday after a long illness. He was 85.
The orchestra said on Saturday it would dedicate three performances next week to Sculthorpe and perform his 1993 work Memento Mori as an encore.
It says it is deeply saddened by the loss of a national treasure, with whom it shared a 50-year relationship.
"His contribution to the music community is imperishable," managing director Rory Jeffes said.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Labor arts spokesman Mark Dreyfus also added their tributes to Sculthorpe on Saturday.
"His music has enriched us all," they said in a joint statement.
Born in Tasmania, Sculthorpe studied in postwar London before returning to Australia, joining the University of Sydney's music department in 1963.
He is credited with changing Australia's music landscape during his 60-year musical career.
