Sculthorpe was born in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1929. As a child he was severely reprimanded by his first piano teacher for returning to her, not with well-practised pieces, but with a handful of original compositions. Consequently, the seven-year-old Sculthorpe took to writing music under the bedclothes with a torch. When discovered, his parents were supportive and later transferred him to a teacher who encouraged his writing. In addition to his interest in music, he also pursued interests in literature and drawing. However, in his early teens he realised that, whereas his poems and drawings drew heavily on the work of poets and artists he admired, his compositions said something about himself. It was at this stage that he decided to be a composer. Aged 16, he went to Melbourne University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in piano in 1950.

More...