Profile

Inspired by the contemporary labels of the northern hemisphere, Rattle was established to bring new music from Aotearoa, New Zealand, to a wider world. This is music beyond barriers of time or place, music to engage head and heart.

Rattle has sought to draw together sounds that are of the Pacific, that embody the heritage of its indigenous peoples, and of those who have followed. Not a classical, ‘world music’, or a jazz label, nonetheless Rattle presents artists from all of these streams.

Releases on the Rattle label have consistently received widespread critical acclaim, with Rattle releases winning NZ Classical Album of the Year three times during a six year period. In addition, Te Ku Te Whe, the defining album of Maori instrumental music, was awarded a gold disc for sales in New Zealand.
Rattle artists’ compositions have been performed and/or recorded by the Kronos Quartet, Michael Brecker, Evelyn Glennie, Joshua Redman, Pedro Carneiro, and The BBC Scottish Orchestra, as well as many of New Zealand’s finest performers.

One hallmark of Rattle’s releases has been the prominent inclusion of unique instrumentation, from the densely textured guitars of Gitbox, through the ambience of taonga puoro in Te Ku Te Whe, the hand-made percussion of From Scratch, and Dan Poynton’s ‘gently’ prepared piano, to John Psathas’s Greek folk instruments scored within his View From Olympus concerto.

Welcome to Rattle music…

• Publications (2)
• Recordings (79)
• Related Resources (1)