Peter Sculthorpe Composes

Peter Sculthorpe Composes consists of excerpts from the program Peter Sculthorpe (26 mins), an episode of Australian Biography Series 7 (7 × 26 mins), produced in 1999.

Peter Sculthorpe: In this interview composer Peter Sculthorpe describes the way in which Australian history and landscape have influenced him and tells of the emotionally significant events in his life which have found expression in his music. He also explains, with warmth and eloquence, the nature of his endless journey to try to create the perfect work of art, a journey that continues to motivate his work today.

Australian Biography Series 7: The Australian Biography series profiles some of the most extraordinary Australians of our time. Many have had a major impact on the nation’s cultural, political and social life. All are remarkable and inspiring people who have reached a stage in their lives where they can look back and reflect. Through revealing in-depth interviews, they share their stories – of beginnings and challenges, landmarks and turning points. In so doing, they provide us with an invaluable archival record and a unique perspective on the roads we, as a country, have travelled.

Australian Biography Series 7 is a Film Australia National Interest Program.

Reading standard: Students read, view, analyse, critique, reflect on and discuss contemporary and classical imaginative texts that explore personal, social, cultural and political issues of significance in their own lives. They will also read, view, analyse and discuss a wide range of informative and persuasive texts and identify the multiple purposes for which texts are created.

Writing standard: Students write sustained and cohesive narratives that experiment with different techniques and show attention to chronology, characterization, consistent point of view and development of resolution.

Speaking and listening standard: Students, when engaged in discussion compare ideas, build on others’ ideas, provide and justify other points of view, and reach conclusions that take into account aspects of an issue.

The activities in this learning module are relevant to the Interdisciplinary Learning strand of Level 6 Communications (Listening, viewing and responding standard; Presenting standard) and Thinking Processes (Reasoning, processing and inquiry standard; Creativity standard).

The activities are also relevant to the Physical, Personal and Social Learning strand of Level 6 Interpersonal Development (Building social relationships standard; Working in teams standard) and Personal Learning (The individual learner standard; Managing personal learning standard).

Born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1929, Peter Sculthorpe was educated at Launceston Church Grammar School, at the University of Melbourne and at Wadham College, Oxford. He has worked internationally as a composer in academic institutions and has received many high Australian honours.

Peter Sculthorpe has written works in most musical forms, and his output relates easily to the unique social climate and physical characteristics of Australia. He is Australia’s best-known classical composer, and his works are regularly performed and recorded throughout the world.

Sculthorpe’s most recent major work, Requiem, involving chorus, orchestra and solo didgeridoo, received its premiere performance in March 2004 during the Adelaide Festival.

In 1998 a popular vote elected him one of Australia’s 100 Living National Treasures. In 1999 he was made one of Australia’s 45 icons — 'a visionary, an opinion maker, one who is making statements about something the nation needs to think about at this time’.

1. Write a 100-word summary of this video clip. In your summary include answers to the following questions.
   1. What are your impressions of Peter Sculthorpe?
   2. What does the video clip tell you about creativity?
   3. Who would be the best audience for the video clip?
   4. What is the message(s) of the video clip?
2. 1. In small groups discuss and write a definition for the term, ‘Australian Living National Treasure’. Include a list of 5–10 conditions candidates need to meet.
   2. Discuss and write reasons why Peter Sculthorpe is an ‘Australian Living National Treasure’.
   3. List five more people you would make a National Living Treasure if you had the chance Give reasons for your choices.
3. Research the actual list on www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/treasures.list.html
   1. What does the list tell you about Australia?
   2. Choose one name from the list and write a 250-word notice for a media text announcing their selection and reason why you think they were chosen.
   3. Choose another name that interests you from the list and write a 600-word biography of that person.

Go to Australian Biography and select Peter Sculthorpe.