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“The sanskrit equivalent for initiation is abhisheka, meaning ‘sprinkle’, ‘pour’, ‘anointment’. And if there is pouring, there must be a vessel into which the pouring can fall. So at last we might really give up all these complications and just allow some space, just give in. This is the moment when abhisheka – sprinkling and pouring – really takes place, because we are open and are really giving up the whole attempt to do anything, giving up all the busyness and overcrowding. Finally we have been forced to really stop properly, which is quite a rare occurrence for us.”

(Taken from Chogyam Trungpa’s Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, from album Nederlands Blazers Ensemble: Zeibekiko, NBECD014).

The composer writes: ”Drafted immediately after reading a book by the Buddhist guru Chögyam Trungpa, Abhisheka was my first-ever attempt at writing music with space in it. Until this piece, practically everything I had written was ultra-caffeinated, fast, full of notes, and murder on performers. But having been (albeit temporarily) inspired by the great truths and peace in Trungpa’s writing, I found myself navigating slower passages of musical time, as well as exploring the microcosm of inner space between the even intervals of our chromatic tuning system.”

Abhisheka by John Psathas was chosen for the list of string quartets in 2000 for ‘IAMIC Sounds of the Year’. The composer has also prepared versions of Abhisheka for mixed chamber ensemble, this version performed by Manos Achalinotopoulos, Vangelis Karipis and Nederlands Blazers Ensemble at Paradiso, in Amsterdam in 2004, and for string orchestra (2008).

Programme note from the New Zealand String Quartet’s 2012 New Zealand at Kings Place concert.

• Psathas: Abhisheka; computer-set 

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• Psathas: Abhisheka; computer-set   Year: 2000 

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• John Psathas: Abhisheka; video  

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• John Psathas, RNZB: Abhisheka (part 4 of 4); video 

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• John Psathas, RNZB: Abhisheka (part 3 of 4); video 

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• John Psathas, RNZB: Abhisheka (part 2 of 4); video 

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• John Psathas, RNZB: Abhisheka (part 1 of 4); video 

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• Psathas: Eight Works 

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• John Psathas: Abhisheka 

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• John Psathas: Rhythm Spike  Year: 1999 

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• Sound Barrier  Year: 2006 

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• notes from a journey  Year: 2010 

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‘Alegria’ is an education piece for children of primary school age. It focuses on aspects of rhythm and ostinato, and it is based on the flamenco principle of 3+3+2+2+2 (12 beat cycle). Flamenco music is based on Spanish gypsy music, and is often accompanied by clapping, so there are clapping parts included for members of the orchestra. The audience may learn the simple clapping patterns so they can accompany the orchestra when they hear the patterns. The central section in 5/8 is intended as an asymmetrical contrast to the duple and triple meters of the outer sections. “Alegria” means ‘joy’ or ‘happiness’ in Spanish.

• Grenfell: Alegria; computer-set 

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• Grenfell: Alegria; computer set 

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• Maria Grenfell: Alegria and River Mountain Sky 

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• Fanfares for a New Millennium  Year: 2000 

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This song cycle for soprano and piano has texts by the composer in Maori and English.

“Awa Herea memorably evokes the physical appearance of symbolic significance of these braided rivers… cosmic weather-driven energy.” (Covell, Sydney Morning Herald).

“Its pace was shrewdly varied and the music encompassed a range of styles – from sung declamation to florid lyricism – without incongruity.” (Jack, Independent).

“The cycle displays all the characteristics of her [Gillian Whitehead’s] mature work. The vocal line is at once exultant and contemplative, the piano writing incisive or lulling; the formal shaping novel yet accessible. It is a memorable piece, filled with the energetic spirit of the natural world and finding through that spirit its own serenity.”

• Whitehead: Awa Herea; computer-set 

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• Whitehead: Awa Herea; facsimile 

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• NZIAF: Gillian Whitehead Portrait; part 2 

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• Waikohu: Mere Boynton and Friends 

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• Tracey Chadwell's Songbook  Year: 1995 

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• Ears Wide Open Taringa Areare Education Resource CD  Year: 2000 

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A “deconstruction/recomposition” of a fifteenth century carol for 3 soloists and choir on the martyrdom of St Stephen. This dramatic work has become a standard text for study in schools through New Zealand. It has been recorded by the New Zealand National Youth Choir.

• Body: Carol to Saint Stephen; facsimile 

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• Body: Carol to Saint Stephen; computer-set 

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• Jack Body: Carol to St Stephen  

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• Visions: New Zealand Choral Music 

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• Visions: New Zealand Choral Music 

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• New Zealand National Youth Choir: Te Roopu Rangatahi Waiata o Aotea Roa  Year: 1992 

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This piece was part of the Oswestry Annual Youth Music Festival in March 2004

• Wegener: Cats; computer-set  Year: 1994 

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• Wegener: Cats; computer-set  Year: 1994 

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• Margaret Wegener: Music To My Listening  Year: 2002 

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• McLeod: Childhood; computer-set 

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• McLeod: Childhood; facsimile  Year: 1988 

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• Jenny McLeod: Childhood 

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• Jenny McLeod: Childhood 

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• Prisms - The Bach Choir 

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• NZ Flora Series Vol 4  Year: 1985 

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• Prisms - The Bach Choir  Year: 1985 

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• NZ National Youth Choir on Tour North America  Year: 1994 

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• Tower New Zealand Youth Choir: Winds that Whisper  Year: 1998 

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• Judy Bailey: Children's Suite 

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• Bailey: The Spritely Ones  Year: 1998 

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• Ears Wide Open Taringa Areare Education Resource CD  Year: 2000 

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Composed at the 1984 Cambridge Summer School, Clouds over Pirongia is a short delicate piece which uses a wide variety of metallic percussion instruments. The resonant sonorities were suggested by various cloud formations over nearby Mt. Pirongia.

• Rimmer: Clouds over Pirongia; facsimile 

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• Ears Wide Open Taringa Areare Education Resource CD  Year: 2000 

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• Sound Barrier  Year: 2006 

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• Jonathan Besser: Danceabout 

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• decadence - celebrating 10 years of Besser and Bravura 

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