Roger Covell
Encyclopedia
Roger David Covell AM
(born 1 February 1931 in Sydney
) is an eminent Australian musicologist, critic and author. He is Professor Emeritus
in the School of English, Media and Performing Arts at the University of New South Wales
, in Sydney, and continues to contribute articles and reviews to the Sydney Morning Herald, where he served as principal music critic from 1960 until the late 1990s.
Published in 1967, Covell's monograph Australia's Music: Themes of a New Society was the first comprehensive study of the history, development and performance of Western serious music in Australia, and is now regarded as a seminal text in Australian musicology. It has been widely referenced among succeeding generations of Australian composers, practitioners and critics of serious music, and by Australian cultural historians generally.
Roger Covell was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
on 26 January 1986 in recognition of service to music. He was awarded the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing
in 1993 in recognition of his services to music criticism in Australia. Roger Covell accepted the Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music award at the 2006 Classical Music Awards
, presented by the Australasian Performing Right Association
(APRA) and the Australian Music Centre
, in acknowledgement of his lifetime of distinguished achievement and commitment to Australian music.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1 February 1931 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
) is an eminent Australian musicologist, critic and author. He is Professor Emeritus
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the School of English, Media and Performing Arts at the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, in Sydney, and continues to contribute articles and reviews to the Sydney Morning Herald, where he served as principal music critic from 1960 until the late 1990s.
Published in 1967, Covell's monograph Australia's Music: Themes of a New Society was the first comprehensive study of the history, development and performance of Western serious music in Australia, and is now regarded as a seminal text in Australian musicology. It has been widely referenced among succeeding generations of Australian composers, practitioners and critics of serious music, and by Australian cultural historians generally.
Roger Covell was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
on 26 January 1986 in recognition of service to music. He was awarded the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing
Pascall Prize
The Pascall Prize: Australian 'Critic of the Year is an annual Australian award for critical writing and review, awarded to a critic whose work over the previous 12 to 18 months has contributed significantly to public appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of the area or areas of the arts in...
in 1993 in recognition of his services to music criticism in Australia. Roger Covell accepted the Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music award at the 2006 Classical Music Awards
APRA Awards of 2006
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2006 are a series of awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Classical Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards ceremony occurred on 5 June at the Sydney Four Seasons Hotel, they were presented by APRA and the...
, presented by the Australasian Performing Right Association
Australasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
(APRA) and the Australian Music Centre
Australian Music Centre
The Australian Music Centre fosters the development of an Australian music community by providing specialist support to its membership of performers, composers, sound artists, educators, students, and music specialists across Australia and throughout the world.The AMC is the Australian national...
, in acknowledgement of his lifetime of distinguished achievement and commitment to Australian music.
Libretti
- Morning-song for the Christ Child: for unaccompanied mixed chorus, with music by Peter SculthorpePeter SculthorpePeter Joshua Sculthorpe AO OBE is an Australian composer. Much of his music has resulted from an interest in the music of Australia's neighbours as well as from the impulse to bring together aspects of native Australian music with that of the heritage of the West...
(Faber Music, c1966) - Sea chant: for unison voices and orchestra, with music by Peter Sculthorpe (Faber Music, c1968)
- Autumn Song: for unaccompanied mixed chorus, with music by Peter Sculthorpe (Faber Music, c1972)
Edited
- The Currency Lass, or, My Native Girl (a musical play in two acts) by Edward Geoghegan (Currency Press, c1976)