Larry Sitsky

Full biography Larry Sitsky

Larry Sitsky is an Australian composer, pianist, and music educator who was born on September 10, 1934. He is known for his extensive body of work as a composer, his virtuosic piano playing, and his wide-ranging contributions to music education and scholarship. Over the course of his career, Sitsky has established himself as one of the foremost composers of contemporary classical music in Australia.

Sitsky began piano lessons at the age of six and went on to study composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Raymond Hanson and Eugene Goossens. He then continued his studies in Europe, studying under a number of renowned composers including Olivier Messiaen and Nadia Boulanger.

Throughout his career, Sitsky has composed a vast array of works, including orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal music, as well as music for theater, film, and dance. His compositions often incorporate elements of traditional music from a variety of cultures, as well as more experimental and avant-garde techniques.

In addition to his work as a composer, Sitsky has also been a prolific music educator and scholar. He has taught at a number of universities both in Australia and overseas, including the Australian National University, where he is currently Emeritus Professor of Music. Sitsky has authored numerous articles and books on a wide range of music-related topics, and has also been involved in the organization of numerous music festivals and events.

Throughout his career, Sitsky has been widely recognized for his contributions to music in Australia and beyond. He has received numerous awards and honors, including being made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1992 and being elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1993.

Despite his many accomplishments, Sitsky continues to be active as a composer and performer to this day, and remains an important figure in the Australian music scene.