A speech Ross Edwards wrote for Bob Carr, the Premier of New South Wales, to give at a lunch celebrating Peter Sculthorpe’s 70th Year (1999).

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The most distinctive and acclaimed voice in Australian composition, Peter Sculthorpe has always remained true to his inner vision and above the vagaries of musical fashion.

 

Composing for the Australian community and drawing on resources from the entire Asia-Pacific region, he has built up a body of work which today commands the attention of the world.

 

Moreover, we can safely say that he has survived the test of time: his earlier works, newly recorded, sound as fresh and inventive as they did in the 1960s.

 

Peter’s charismatic charm and the glamorous outward trappings of his life-style – the red sports car, the now legendary encounter with Elizabeth Taylor – all belie a fundamental seriousness of purpose, long hours and hard work.

 

Those fortunate enough to be his students naturally become part of an extended family where they are patiently guided and encouraged, assigned illuminating apprenticeship tasks and inspired by his example of what a composer should be – especially an Australian composer.

 

His stature as one of the most important and influential figures in Australia’s cultural life will continue to grow. At 70, his vigor and enthusiasm are undiminished – not that this is the slightest bit surprising to those who know him – and the quality of his recent work suggests that his greatest music may be still to come.

 

                                                                                                                                Ross Edwards