I haven’t heard a unique ‘New Zealand-
ness’ in music…Lilburn’s been stamped with it because he was the only one doing it…I think it’s still abstract music

In this Cultural Icons programme Peter Scholes is interviewed by Denys Trussell on his remarkable dual career performing – both as conductor and clarinettist – and composing.

Peter was Founder and is currently Musical Director of the Auckland Chamber Orchestra. He studied conducting with Juan Matteucci and has conducted all the professional New Zealand Orchestras as well as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Prague Symphony Orchestra.

He has had works commissioned by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Saint Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, CadeNZa, Chamber Music New Zealand, the Auckland Wind Quintet, Patrick Power, Gareth Farr, Amanda Hollins and Richard Mapp and for Radio New Zealand drama productions. His composition “Islands II” represented New Zealand in the 1993 UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers.

He was principal clarinet with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and clarinet tutor at the School of Music and has been in groups such as Red Mole, Auckland Chamber Music Players, From Scratch, Digorie, The Auckland Wind Quintet and Avant Garage.

For his full biography please see www.peterscholes.com and www.sounz.org.nz