The story of Mr Gengerella

Finn Butler from Logan Park High School, Dunedin is the winner of the SOUNZ Prize in the Original Composition section of the Chamber Music Contest facilitated by Chamber Music New Zealand. The winning work, Mr Gengerella, is a piece for violin, flute and piano. It was performed in the Dunedin District Contest by 'Shady Groove' from Logan Park: Rowena Rushton-Green (violin) and Rosalind Manowitz (flute) and Finn himself (piano).

Finn divided Mr Gengerella into three distinct movements.  "There is a programmatic aspect to my piece," Finn explains, "as it follows the life of the eponymous character. This life is invented, although the name was found from an Ian Fleming novel. A general theme is internal conflict, within Mr. Gengerella's own mind, something that interests me."

Finn is in Year 13  at Logan Park High School studying music at NCEA Level Three as well as 'extra-curricular' jazz theory/performance lessons.

"My experience in composition - and especially in the performance of my composition - is minimal, and each new performance proves unexpected. I have written for a jazz combo that I play in and once had a short piece performed by a small orchestra at a youth science forum, but the Chamber Music Composition is definitely the most powerful experience I have had to date.  

"Among other New Zealand music, the energy and vigour found in John Psathas' works is very appealing to me, particularly in his application of improvisatory structures. I am certainly intending to go on to tertiary study in composition through Otago University."

There were 19 works entered in this year's Composition section of the Chamber Music Competition. Composition judge, Michael Williams, praised Finn's piece, which he said was "very well written for the individual instruments with excellent ensemble writing that demonstrated an original approach and an interesting and effective use of pitch organisation and harmony. This is a great piece that I look forward to hearing live."

Audiences in Wellington will be able to hear Mr Gengerella on Saturday 31 July as 'Shady Groove' have been invited to perform the work again as part of the National Final Competition and concert. For those unable to attend the Chamber Music Finale in Wellington, Radio NZ Concert intend to broadcast their recording of the event on Sunday 1 August, and will host a webcast on their website from Monday 2 August. Links will be included here and on the Chamber Music New Zealand website when they become available.