Margaret Sutherland

Full biography Margaret Sutherland

Margaret Sutherland was one of the most important composers in Australian music history. Born in Adelaide on November 13, 1897, Sutherland was one of the first Australian women to achieve international acclaim as a composer. She began piano lessons at a young age and later studied composition with Fritz Hart in Sydney.

Sutherland moved to Europe in 1929 to study with the renowned composer Nadia Boulanger in Paris. During her time in Europe, Sutherland absorbed the musical influences of the region and developed a unique style that combined modernist techniques with traditional tonality.

Sutherland's work often featured themes related to her homeland, such as her opera "The Young Kabbarli", which was based on the novel by Western Australian author Daisy Bates. She was also inspired by the Australian landscape, and her "Concerto for String Orchestra" includes movements titled "Pastoral" and "Bush Rhythms".

Despite her remarkable talent, Sutherland faced significant challenges as a professional composer, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated field. However, she persevered and went on to win numerous awards and commissions. In 1971, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to music.

Today, Margaret Sutherland is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Australian music. Her works, which encompass a wide range of genres from opera to chamber music, continue to be studied and performed by musicians and scholars around the world.