Accessibility Skip to Global Navigation Skip to Local Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Search Skip to Site Map Menu

Professor Anthony Ritchie

Anthony Ritchie profile photo

Professor and Head of the School of Performing Arts
MusB(Hons) PhD(Canterbury)
Joined the staff in 2002

Tel +64 3 479 8881
Email anthony.ritchie@otago.ac.nz

Anthony is an internationally respected classical composer who takes much of his inspiration from Aotearoa/New Zealand's history and wildlife. His music aims to connect emotionally with listeners while exploring innovative ideas and approaches.

More about Anthony’s creative and research interests

^ Top of page

Teaching

Composition papers

Composition qualifications

Other papers

Background including creative and research interests

A prolific, adventurous composer, Anthony has composed pieces for a range of performers and situations – from small chamber groups, to choirs, to symphony orchestras.

Commissioned compositions include concertos for violin, viola, flute, guitar and euphonium, five symphonies, chamber music, and six operas.

His work has been performed by renowned ensembles such as The Ulster Orchestra and The Takacs Quartet, and soloists such as Bella Hristova and Alexa Still.

Since 2005 twelve albums of his music have been released, including his Symphony No.5 Childhood.

A few recent compositions

  • Symphony No.5 Childhood was written for The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, to celebrate the re-opening of the earthquake-stricken Christchurch Town Hall. It uses childhood as a metaphor for regeneration, and creates sound images related to childhood – the sound of pots and pans for example!
    Listen to the symphony
  • Gallipolli to the Somme, for soprano, bass, choir and orchestra, aims to make a humanist statement about ordinary peoples' experience of World War I. Soldiers, nurses, lovers, and children from different nationalities are represented through diary entries, poems, traditional texts and songs, and even a military plan of battle. Gallipolli to the Somme was performed in Oxford and London in 2018, during WW1 commemorations. It was voted New Zealand’s most popular classical music recording in the 2020 RNZ Concert programme ‘Settling the Score’, the first time a New Zealand piece had achieved this.
    Watch the video
  • Piano Trio Childhood was composed for the New Zealand Trio, and is based around the idea of a naïve style of music, informed by childhood memories as well as adult perceptions of childhood.
    Watch the video

^ Top of page

SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music features a comprehensive collection of Anthony's works

Anthony’s personal website

Anthony is committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise through his teaching and mentoring. He was Composer Mentor for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Todd Young Composers Awards on two occasions, is a regular judge for The Big Sing, and organiser of the Lilburn Trust Student Composers Competition. He has also mentored young composers at the annual Nelson Composers Workshop. Successful composers and conductors Anthony has mentored include Michael Norris, Tecwyn Evans, Holly Mathieson, Ryan Youens and Joshua Romero.

^ Top of page

Postgraduate research supervision

Areas of research supervision:

  • Composition
  • 20th century music
  • New Zealand music

A selection of student supervisions

  • “Composing for Synthesizers in a Western Art Music Setting”, Alex Campbell-Hunt, Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
  • “Dispelling the Myths of the Brass Wind Embouchure: Methods, Mechanics and Practices”, Steve Miles, PhD
  • “Polycyclic Comprovisation”, Trevor Coleman, Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
  • “Retuning for a New Age: Extending Scordatura Options for the Viola”, Andrew Filmer, PhD

Other musical and community activities

  • Anthony has written journal articles and book chapters focusing on New Zealand music, including ‘Gallipoli to the Somme: A Musical Witness to History’ in Studies in History and Sociology of Music (2020) and ‘Voices from Afar: The Influence of Minimalism on New Zealand Music’ in Searches for Tradition: Essays on New Zealand Music, Past & Present.
  • In addition to this, Anthony has written reviews, programme notes, pre-concert talks and other community and schools presentations.
  • Anthony regularly curates new music concerts at the university, and occasionally performs on piano for new student compositions.
  • Anthony’s practical music activities include conducting. He has conducted the Dunedin Youth Orchestra for many concerts since 1993, co-founded both the Southern Youth Choir and Southern Childrens’ Choir, and also conducted schools’ concerts for The Auckland Philharmonia and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.

    • ^ Top of page

A selection of creative outputs

The following recorded compositions provide a snapshot of the work Anthony has been doing in the last 10 years, ranging from solo pieces and concertos to choral music and orchestral pieces.

These recordings also demonstrate the range of performers Anthony has worked with, including internationally acclaimed artists such as Bella Hristova.

  • Ritchie, Anthony D., Survivors: Choral Music by Anthony Ritchie [solo album], Aquarius Choir, Belgium. Atoll Records ACD 119, 2018.
  • Ritchie, Anthony D., Touched for piano. Recorded by Jian Liu, on Sarajevo: A collection of New Zealand piano works, Atoll Records, ACD217, 2017.
  • Ritchie, Anthony D., Violin Concerto, for Bella Hristova, 2012. Premiered by Bella Hristova and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, May 2014; published as an online film by SOUNZ (Centre for NZ Music), 2014.
  • Ritchie, Anthony D., Symphony No.4, Stations, [solo album], Atoll Records, October 2014.
  • Ritchie, Anthony D., A Bugle Will Do: Symphonic Works by Anthony Ritchie. [solo album] The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conductor Tecwyn Evans. Atoll Records, ACD 741, 2011.

Further creative outputs are listed in the 'Publications' section below.

^ Top of page

Publications

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2014). Stations: Symphony No. 4 [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll. [Film/Digital Recording/CD-Rom].

Ritchie, A. (2010). Symphony No 3. Premiered by the Southern Sinfonia and recorded for Radio New Zealand Concert, Otago Festival of the Arts.

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2011). A Bugle Will Do: Symphony No. 3 and other Symphonic Works, performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Tecwyn Evans [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll.

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2011). Octopus: Chamber Music [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll.

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2013). Salaam, opus 172, for S.S.A.A.T.T.B.B. choir unaccompanied. Written for the Belgium choir Aquarius, on request from conductor Marc Michael De Smet, text (poems) by prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. [Composition/Musical Score].

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2014). Stations: Symphony No. 4 [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll. [Film/Digital Recording/CD-Rom].

Film/Video/CD Rom

Ritchie, A. (2010). Symphony No 3. Premiered by the Southern Sinfonia and recorded for Radio New Zealand Concert, Otago Festival of the Arts.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2011). A Bugle Will Do: Symphony No. 3 and other Symphonic Works, performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Tecwyn Evans [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll.

Film/Video/CD Rom

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2011). Octopus: Chamber Music [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll.

Film/Video/CD Rom

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2013). Salaam, opus 172, for S.S.A.A.T.T.B.B. choir unaccompanied. Written for the Belgium choir Aquarius, on request from conductor Marc Michael De Smet, text (poems) by prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2014). This Other Eden, opus 175, opera in two acts, libretto by Michelanne Forster. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2012). Violin Concerto, opus 165. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2014). Revelations (1998), for symphony orchestra. Wellington, New Zealand: Promethean Editions [Published score]. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2012). Symphony No. 3 (2010). Wellington, New Zealand: Promethean Editions [Published score]. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2008). French Overture, opus 134. Composed for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2013). Touched, opus 170, for solo piano. Commissioned by Stephen de Pledge for inclusion in the Chamber Music New Zealand Series, 2014, and recorded on Saravejo: A Collection of New Zealand Piano Works, (2017), performed by Jian Liu. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll Records. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2006). Whalesong, for solo double bass and orchestra. Commissioned by The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and composed for soloist, Dale Gold.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). Wind Quintet, opus 142. Commissioned by Chamber Music New Zealand Trust to be performed by Zephyr.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (composer), Egenes, J. (producer), & Holland, M. (engineer) (2015). Father & son: Music by John and Anthony Ritchie. Auckland, New Zealand: Ode Records. [Film/Digital Recording/CD-Rom].

Film/Video/CD Rom

Ritchie, A. (2012). Clouds (2005), for trombone & piano. Wellingborough, UK: Prima Vista Musikk [Published score]. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2011). A common thematic: Seven songs by Anthony Ritchie. In D. Bendrups & G. Downes (Eds.), Dunedin soundings: Place and performance. (pp. 103-114). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Ritchie, A. (2010). Line Dances, opus 156, music for dance, solo piano. Commissioned by Daniel Belton and Good Company, for performances in the Otago Festival of the Arts.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2010). Mountains & Rivers, opus 154, for choir. Commissioned by the Jubilate Singers, for a New Zealand landscape themed concert of New Zealand music.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2010). This Sea We Cross Over, opus 148, for choir a cappella. Based on a text by Jenny Bornholdt and commissioned by Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand Trust.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). A Little Sleep, opus 147, for piano. Composed for Tom McGrath.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). Clouds on Gung-Ho: Virtuoso Works for Trombone, performed by David Bremner with the National Band of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll Records [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). Echoes, opus 145, for gamelan. Composed for the Puspawarna Gamelan Group at the University of Otago.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). Flute Concerto. Wellington, New Zealand: Massey University Music, New Zealand School of Music.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). Olinda, opus 145, for unaccompanied choir. Composed for the National Youth Choir of New Zealand to commemorate their 30th anniversary.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2009). Portrait of FH, for orchestra. Commissioned by the Southern Sinfonia, for performance in the Otago Heritage Festival.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2008). Meditation, for violin and piano. Commissioned by Tessa Peterson and John Van Buskirk, for inclusion in Oriental Phantasy: A Concert to Celebrate the Opening of the Chinese Gardens, Dunedin.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2008). Nocturne & sunrise, Trio for flute, viola & guitar. Commissioned by Serenata a Tre, for performance during their 2009 tour of New Zealand..

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (composer) (2013). Symphony No.4, opus 171, Stations for soprano and orchestra. Composed for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and dedicated to those in Christchurch who suffered in the earthquakes. [Composition/Musical Score].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2008). Piano concerto no. 3. Commissioned by the Manukau City Symphony Orchestra [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2008). Words are my notes, Song cycle for mezzo soprano, viola and piano, with poems by Christopher Marshall. Commissioned by Christopher Marshall, for inclusion in the chamber music series Christopher's Classics.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2007). Brass Quintet, recorded by NZ Chamber Brass on New Zealand Works for Brass Quintet. NZChamber Brass [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2007). Flute Sonata, composed for Alexa Still.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2007). Octet, op.129, for clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello and bass.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2007). Song of Hope, recorded by the Graduate Choir of New Zealand, Terence Maskell (conductor) on A Sound Came From Heaven. Atoll [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2006). Berlin Fragments, recorded by Judy Bellingham (soprano), Terence Dennis (piano) and Debbie Rawson (clarinet) on Songs by Dorothy Buchanan, David Hamilton, Anthony Ritchie, John Ritchie. Ode Record Company [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2006). Clarinet Quintet. Commissioned by Christopher Marshall for his chamber music series. Written for Gretchen Dunsmore, clarinet, and the New Zealand String Quartet.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2012). Purakaunui at Dawn (2014) and Clarinet Quintet (2006, revised 2014) in Fjärran: In the distance, performed by the Dalecarlia Clarinet Quintet [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll. [Film/Digital Recording/CD-Rom].

Film/Video/CD Rom

Ritchie, A. (2008). New Zealand Poets in Song: Anna and Matthew Leese Sing Songs by Anthony Ritchie [CD-ROM]. Auckland, New Zealand: Ode Records.

Film/Video/CD Rom

Ritchie, A. (2006). The God Boy Opera, libretto by Jeremy Commons. Dunedin, New Zealand, Bellbird Publications [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2006). Widow's Songs, on New Zealand Voices: Spirit of the Land. Tower Voices New Zealand, Conducted by Karen Grylls [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. D. (2005). Piano preludes, 24 preludes for piano performed by Sharon Vogan Recorded by Atoll, ACD 504. Retrieved from https://atoll.co.nz/album/piano-preludes/

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. (2005). Tui. Commissioned by Bridget Douglas and recorded on Taurangi: New Zealand Music for Flute and Piano. HRL Morrison Music Trust [CD-ROM].

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A., & Hoar, S. (2004). Quartet, opera for four singers and string quartet. Sounding Theatre, Te Papa, Wellington.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. D. (2003). String quartet no.2.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. D. (2003). Timeless land.

Composition / Musical Score

Ritchie, A. D. (2002). Viola Concerto. Viola Aotearoa. Auckland: Atoll Records. [Film/Digital Recording/CD-Rom].

Film/Video/CD Rom

More publications...