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Gary Daverne  

A Jazz Burlesque

Duration: 03' 00" Year: 1992
for string orchestra

Christopher Blake  

Angel at Ahipara

Duration: 11' 00" Year: 1999
for string orchestra

  • Programme Note

    In the isolated settlement of Ahipara in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand a tiny white church sits on a hillock looking out to a range of low brooding hills. In the cemetery below, an angel stands on a pedestal at the head of a grave. One day in 1992 renowned New Zealand photographer Robin Morrison came to the church and captured the essence of the angel’s vigil in a memorable and famous image.

    In late 1997 the composer Chris Blake travelled to Ahipara and stook in the same place and experiences the same image. The outcome was a short work for string orchestra which captures the hope and desolation of the angel and the memory of the soul over which she stands guard. The work was created for conductor Andrew Sewell and is based, at his suggestion, on a passage from an earlier work We All Fall Down for obliggato cello and orchestra.

    This work is one of a series of four, making up The Northland Panels. They were written and premiered as separate works.

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Craig Utting  

Collages

Duration: 13' 00" Year: 1992
for twelve violas

Denis Betro  

Rosin the Bows

Duration: 20' 00" Year: 1994
Work for String Orchestra in four movements

David Farquhar  

Serenade for Strings

Duration: 23' 00" Year: 1993

  • Instrumentation
    vlns I and II; vlas; cellos; basses
  • Programme Note

    The titles of the five movements give the outline of a Serenade in the most literal and traditional meaning of the word. The Flourish aims to capture the lady’s attention; through the Romance, Dance, and Aria the suitor presses his cause, and in the Finale the couple celebrate a successful outcome. I wouldn’t, however, suggest that this story line be taken too literally! The music, I hope, speaks for itself. The Aria gives the double-bass a chance to shine as a soloist, and the Finale refers back to earlier material, then skips for joy, and finally relaxes into a tranquil ‘apotheosis’. This Serenade was commissioned by Denis and Verna Adam to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. The first performance was given by the NZ Chamber Orchestra in September 1993.

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Ray Twomey  

Sinfonia (Opus 11a)

Duration: 20' 00" Year: 1997
for string orchestra

  • Programme Note

    These works (Sinfonia Opus 11a and String Quartet Opus 11b) are two versions of the same composition, and are a musical autobiography. Ray was born in England and lived through seven years of destruction, spending many nights in air raid shelters listening to the sounds of total war. An air raid, with its sirens, the drone of bombers, bombs dropping and anti-aircraft fire can be heard in the first movement. The main theme, which occurs soon after the opening, reappears inverted after the air raid – symbolic of the utter chaos prevelant at that time. However, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, the theme not only corrects itself but changes from minor to major modality near the end. The second movement represents New Zealand with its bitter-sweet memories for the composer. New Zealand is a beautiful country. The humerous third movement, called “England again” is scored pizzicato throughout, and leads to the final movement “Canada” – big Canada, magnificent Canada, vast Canada, noble Canada, free Canada, beautiful Canada…. the huge but simple harmonies near the end are Ray’s interpretation of the optimism he feels for the country.

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