Nigel Butterley

Full biography Nigel Butterley

Nigel Butterley was an Australian composer, pianist, and teacher, who passed away on February 19, 2022, at the age of 86. Born on May 13, 1935, in Sydney, Butterley had a rich and varied career in the world of music. He studied piano with Winifred Burston and composition with Sir Eugene Goossens in Sydney before moving to London in the early 60s to study with Richard Rodney Bennett and Mátyás Seiber.

Butterley's music was often characterized by its elusive qualities, with a focus on the characters of the performers he wrote for. He was known for his sparse compositions, which often conveyed a sense of controlled chaos and unpredictability. His work was influenced by a diverse range of sources, including poetry and the music of other composers such as Michael Tippett, Olivier Messiaen, and John Cage.

Butterley was an influential figure in Australian music, frequently collaborating with other artists and musicians throughout his career. He was one of the triumvirate of Australian composers, which also included Peter Sculthorpe and Ross Edwards. He returned to Australia in 1963, where he wrote "Laudes," which helped establish him as one of the foremost Australian composers of his generation.

Over the course of his career, Butterley received numerous honors and awards, including the Don Banks Music Award, the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award, and the Order of Australia. Following his passing, Butterley was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Services to Australian Music Award at the 2022 Art Music Awards.

Butterley's contribution to Australian music is immeasurable, and his legacy will live on through his music, which continues to inspire and captivate music enthusiasts around the world.