John Antill

Full biography John Antill

John Henry Antill was an Australian composer, born on April 8th, 1904, and passed away on December 29th, 1986. He is well-known and celebrated for his ballet Corroboree, which was a masterpiece that brought Indigenous culture and music into the national spotlight. Antill has been described as a prolific composer, having written music for many ballets, operas , films, documentaries, vocals, and symphonies throughout his life.

Music was always a part of Antill's life, and while working as an apprentice he wrote several operas. He continued to explore and experiment with various musical genres throughout his career, incorporating Indigenous music elements into his compositions. Antill's music brings together lively rhythms and harmonies from Indigenous music, together with Western Classical music, resulting in a unique style of his own.

Antill’s ballet Corroboree was inspired by Indigenous Australian music and was first performed by the Borovansky Ballet in 1946. Antill's representation of Indigenous culture in his music was unique and drew significant international attention. His compositional work not only raised awareness of Indigenous culture but also helped to establish his place in Australian music history.

Antill's legacy as a composer continues to inspire many people today. He made a significant contribution to Western Classical music and brought recognition for Indigenous cultures in music while contributing to the development of Australian national identity.