ABSTRACT
The existence of over 50 symphonies composed in Australia between 1892 and 1960 is surprising given the relatively small population of the country and the developing nature of the musical infrastructure that could support and sustain large-scale orchestral composition. During this period suitable performance venues were built, professional and properly administered orchestras were developed, tertiary training in music established and incentives were put in place to stimulate the composition of large works. By the 1950s orchestras were sufficiently strong in each state capital city of Australia to support significant numbers of symphonic compositions by local composers. On the other hand, formal instruction in composition was relatively weak and was not designed to encourage innovation.
