Paul Stanhope (b. 1969) is recognised as a leading composer
of his generation not only in Australia but also internationally, with performances
of his works in the UK, Europe, Japan, and the United States. In May 2004 this reputation
was confirmed when he was awarded first place in the prestigious Toru Takemitsu Composition
Prize. Further international exposure ensued when his music featured in the “Boy
on the Bay” segment of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games opening ceremony held in
March 2006, and broadcast to a worldwide audience of over a billion people.
Stanhope studied with Andrew Schultz and Peter Sculthorpe in Australia before being
awarded the Charles Mackerras Scholarship which enabled him to study for a time at
the Guildhall School of Music in London. Paul writes: “My music presents the listener
with an optimistic, personal geography . . . whether this is a reaction to the elemental
aspects of the universe (both the celestial and terrestrial) or the throbbing energy
of the inner-city” (24 Hours, May 1998).
In addition to the Takemitsu prize-winning work Fantasia on a Theme by
Vaughan Williams which was included in the Sydney Symphony’s Masters Series in
2005, Stanhope’s other recent works include his Piano Trio Dolcissimo Uscignolo
(2007) premiered by the Kungsbacka Trio, Cloudforms (2007) written for
the Tasmanian Symphony, and Machinations commissioned and premiered by the
Melbourne Symphony in 2006. His works have recently been performed internationally
by such groups as the Malaysian Symphony Chamber Players, the Koehne String Quartet
and the Chicago-based new music ensemble, Eighth Blackbird.
In 2008 Paul will compose a range of new works, including a new String Quartet for
Musica Viva, a major new choral work for the Melbourne Symphony Chorus as well as
an extended song cycle for Brisbane-based ensemble Collusion.
For a bio of Paul's conducting go to the Sydney Chamber Choir
website
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