I was first introduced to classical music by my father when he proudly purchased an Ecko record player in the 1950s. I clearly remember his first record – ballet music “Sylvia” and “Coppélia” by Delibes. I bought my first record around age 11 – Shostakovich Symphony Nr 10, which was something of a shock to his system, but I was compelled to continue exploring the world of classical music.
At school I continued to be interested in music, and at 12 or 13 learnt to play the Oboe, with only moderate success. I was encouraged by my very helpful music teacher to follow composition after writing a short piece for the school orchestra.
I wrote a few pieces at that time, and continued later, having subsequently moved to Australia, where after a while I stopped writing. However, I did recommence many years later, when I looked at my old pieces and decided to take it up where I left off. I had mostly been self-taught at that stage, but in the early 2000s I decided to undergo a short period of formal composition instruction at Adelaide University.
I compose in a variety of styles, mostly music for smaller orchestras rather than the vast performances of the Romantic period, and mainly for my own personal interest, but I would love to hear some of my compositions played professionally, and also for other people to hear what I have written.