Sledging songs, penguins and melting ice: how Antarctica has inspired Australian composers
- Written by Carolyn Philpott, Senior Lecturer in Musicology, Conservatorium of Music; Associate Head - Research, School of Creative Arts; Adjunct Researcher, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
Most people will never visit Antarctica but music can evoke the continent in myriad ways.Photo: Meredith Nash
When Douglas Mawson led Australasia’s first expedition to Antarctica in 1911–14, his crew took along a folding organ, a concertina, a flute, a piccolo and a mouth organ, as well as a gramophone, records and a hymn book.
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