Composer

Biography

Anthony has composed over 160 compositions during a career that includes a decade of freelance composing, several composer residencies, and a decade as lecturer in composition at Otago University. Many of his works have been published and recorded, and he has had works performed in many countries abroad, including the UK, Europe, Asia and the US. Most recently, his choral work this sea we cross over was performed in China and Australia by the National Youth Choir, and chosen for performance at the ISCM Festival in Belgium, by the choir Aquarius. His French Overture was performed by The Swedish Chamber Orchestra in 2012. His recent CD A Bugle Will Do (Atoll, 2011) was named one of the “CDs of the year” by British reviewer Nick Barnard, on the Music Web International site.

Anthony Ritchie completed a Ph.D. on the music of Bartok in 1987, studying at the Bartok Archives in Budapest. He also studied composition with Attila Bozay at the Liszt Academy, and completed his Mus.B (Honours) at the University of Canterbury. During this time his Concertino for Piano and Strings was recorded onto LP by Kiwi Pacific. In 1987 he was Composer-in-Schools in Christchurch, before moving to Dunedin as Mozart Fellow (1988-9) at the University of Otago. Anthony was part-time Composer-in-Residence with the Dunedin Sinfonia in 1993-94, completing his Symphony No. 1 “Boum”. He free-lanced from 1990-2002, writing commissioned works for performers as diverse as the NZSO, Class Act Opera, and Footnote Dance Company. In 2000 his Symphony No.2 was premiered by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at the International Festival of the Arts, and was followed up by the comic opera Quartet at the 2004 Festival. Anthony has composed film music in collaboration with Natural History NZ, including Southern Journeys (2000) and Timeless Land (2003). In 2004 his opera, The God Boy, was a critically acclaimed success at the Otago Festival of the Arts.

Since 2005 he has had nine CDs of his composition released, including the critically acclaimed Piano Preludes (Atoll, 2005), NZ Poets in Song featuring Anna Leese (Ode/Manu 2008), and the CD Remember Parihaka (Atoll, 2009) which includes his widely performed Flute Concerto, written for Alexa Still. He has had two CDs of chamber music released; the latest is entitled Octopus featuring his String Quartet No.2. An album of his piano music, Expressions was released by Ode/Manu in 2010, performed by Tom McGrath. Atoll and the NZ Symphony Orchestra recently released his CD A Bugle Will Do in 2012, which included his Symphony No.3. It was awarded classical album of the year by The Listener, and was a finalist at the NZ Music Awards. Anthony has also collaborated frequently with choreographers, and four of his dance scores can be heard on the disk Concertina, released in 2012 by Daniel Belton and Good Company.

Anthony is currently Associate Professor of composition at Otago University, and combines his interest in composition with a passion for teaching and mentoring young composers. In 2012 he was the Composer Mentor for the Todd Young Composer Awards. He also engages with the community through his role as a conductor (Dunedin Youth Orchestra), pre-concert speaker and arranger. In 2011 he was chosen to arrange the choral music for the 20 national anthems at the Rugby World Cup. Anthony combines his interest in music with an interest in sport, and has represented New Zealand at two croquet world championships.

For further information: www.anthonyritchie.co.nz