This exciting collection of Gareth Farr’s orchestral works focusses heavily on themes and ideas prominent in Aotearoa. The primary work, ‘Ruaumoko’, subtitled “South Pacific Seasons”, is expressive of Aotearoa’s different seasons interspersed with percussion interludes – the earthquakes (‘Ruaumoko’) – that are so familiar to New Zealanders. ‘Orakau’ draws upon a poem by bass singer Conal Coad’s father, Leon Coad, which reflects upon an early battle between Maori and Pakeha. An eruption of ‘Rangitoto’, Auckland’s iconic volanic cone, is the subject of the third work. ‘Te Papa’, commissioned for the opening of the National Museum, explores the cultural diversity of modern New Zealand and our strong connection with the land. ‘Beowulf’ was inspired by the famous epic poem.
for orchestra with mezzo-soprano, tenor and soprano (Maori karanga) soloists
Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Young, with Deborah Wai Kapohe (mezzo-soprano), Richard Greager (tenor), and Mere Boynton (kaikaranga)
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