Centenary of the Con A History of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music 1915—2015

by McCallum, Peter; Simonds, Julie

• ISBN13: 9781743318973
• ISBN10: 1743318979
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2015-10-01
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Summary

It's been at the heart of Sydney's cultural life, home to leading musicians and the first full-time orchestra in the country. Perched on the shore above the harbor, its distinctive turrets have welcomed generations of music lovers arriving at dusk for a concert. The Sydney Conservatorium of Music celebrates its centenary in 2015. This lavishly illustrated history records its story, from its humble beginnings in the old Government House stables, to its current accommodation in facilities that are, by any measure, outstanding. Peter McCallum recounts the stories of many of the colorful characters who have worked at the Con. Innovative directors who shaped the institution: Henri Verbrugghen, Eugene Goossens, and Rex Hobcroft; great musicians Florence Austral, Roger Woodward, Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge, Charles Mackerras, Malcolm Williamson, Peter Sculthorpe, Don Burrows; renowned performances; the teachers and the students. Behind the scenes, there was always the need to accommodate changes in musical style, secure funding, and navigate relationships with government, the University of Sydney, and the other musical institutions.

Author Biography

Peter McCallum is an associate professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and chair of the academic board of the University of Sydney. He has published on the music of Beethoven, Boulez, and the classical era, and also reviews classical music for the Sydney Morning Herald. Julie Simonds is a music editor, broadcaster, composer, and music arranger. She was the music editor of the ABC and Symphony Australia, President of the Fellowship of Australian Composers, breakfast radio presenter with fine music 102.5, and special projects administrator at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.