The Australian composer and conductor Alfred Hill (1869-1960) was a leading figure in the first generation of Australian and New Zealand composers and enjoyed considerable recognition. His father Charles, a hatter and talented violinist born in Bristol in 1832, married Eliza Ann Hulbert in 1852. They emigrated to Australia in the year of their marriage and eventually settled in Wellington, where their home became a center of intense musical activity. Alfred made rapid progress on the cornet, later turning to the violin and the viola, which became his principal instruments. Hill developed strong interests in Australian Aboriginal and New Guinea music, and in Australian folksong, publishing a number of collections. His major compositions include Joy of Life, Symphony for Chorus and Orchestra (1941), Welcome Overture (1949) and the 'Australia' Symphony (1951). Regarded as 'the grand old man of Australian music', Hill constantly campaigned for the recognition of Australian composers. Concerts in his honor were performed in Sydney in 1950 and 1959. Essentially a miniaturist, he was at his most accomplished when writing for strings. His style remained anchored in the late 19th century, but exhibited a lyrical freshness particularly evident in the smaller-scale works. - from Amzon