Sections: Concerto

Emeritus Professor Peter Roennfeldt is well known as a keyboard musician and director of vocal ensembles.

Queensland born, he graduated from both the University of Queensland and the University of Adelaide, before spending four years in the United States, where he studied with Bela Siki and graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts majoring in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati. He performs frequently in chamber music ensembles with players from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Conservatorium, with a particular interest in historical performance practices using period instruments. Peter’s repertoire interests range from twentieth century music for two pianos to lesser known works by nineteenth century composers. For the past two decades he has given regular recitals of solo and chamber music featuring the fortepiano and also a Viennese piano built in the 1840s.

Peter is also well known for his leadership of choirs, which in the past have included the Brisbane Chorale, the Cantilena Singers which specialised in baroque music, and various Conservatorium ensembles. For the past decade his major focus has been song cycles and partsongs by nineteenth and early twentieth century composers, presented in salon recitals in heritage venues by the Soirées Musicales Quintette which he directs from the piano. This ensemble has also explored once-familiar music from colonial times up to World War Two, and this year the group is currently involved with a major recording project with the State library of Queensland.

In addition to his performance activities, Peter is heavily involved with historical research with a particular focus on the cultural heritage of Queensland. His sixth book, which will be published this year, is study of Mayne Hall as a public venue, which follows on from a previous book on Brisbane’s Albert Hall. Other books include the anniversary histories of the Queensland Conservatorium and the Queensland Music Teachers’ Association, and a biography of Madame Mallalieu, one of our state’s most prominent musical pioneers. He is in demand as a guest speaker on his research for professional and community organisations, and also presents radio broadcast series for 4MBS Classic FM focussing on baroque music or special topics based on his local history research.

For more than 30 years Peter was on the academic staff of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, including a 7-year term up to 2009 as its Director. He continues this connection in an honorary capacity, as Emeritus Professor. Peter has also held national leadership positions with the Australian National Choral Association, the National Council of Tertiary Music Schools, and the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference. As an adjudicator, Peter has officiated throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales, both for eisteddfods, the Queensland Youth Music Awards, the Queensland Piano Competition and Education Queensland’s Fanfare program.