Alfred Hill
The Australian composer
Alfred Hill (1869-1960) studied in Leipzig in the late 1880s, continuing, as a composer, the traditions in which he had been trained, but later with an Australian flavour, with occasional use of aboriginal melodies.
He spent many of his early years in New Zealand, and he became one of the the
most important composers and classical music figures in both Australia and New
Zealand. His ten numbered symphonies, the last written in 1958, suggest the work of a latter-day Australian
Dvorak.
Hill made some
arrangements of traditional Australian folk songs, one of which is 'Click go the
Shears'. His Viola Concerto is a beautiful work in the romantic tradition.