By:

• John Rimmer

Duration:

18' 00"

Instrumentation:

flute (alto flute, piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinet, bassoon, 2 horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion piano, 2 violin, viola, cello, double bass

Samples

Score (725k)

Page 1

© Waiteata Music Press

Availability

• This work has 2 scores and a recording

Programme Note

The Ring of Fire was commissioned in 1976 by the Music Federation of New Zealand for the visit to New Zealand of the London Sinfonietta. In 1977 the work received a Silver Scroll award for the best concert composition of that year by the Australasian Performing Rights Association.

The Ring of Fire is an expression which refers to the volcanic activity which rings the Pacific Ocean. The initial idea for this piece sprang from the desire to create an instrumental extension of the composer’s electronic piece White Island, where the sounds convey images of the island’s volcanic energy and intensity. These sounds were then refined and extended to represent an aural image of the wider area of the Pacific.

The musical material of The Ring of Fire consists of two main contrasting styles of writing. There is music which is an extension of environmental sounds, and music which has a ‘theme’ aspect in its use of specific musical ideas. The contrast of ‘sound’ and ‘theme’ is thus vital to the composition of the work.

The Ring of Fire consists of five inter-related sections, each with its own subtitle which expresses the mood of the section. The first, Volcanic Birth, presents a dramatic awakening and is scored for a small ensemble of alto flute, double bass, percussion and muted brass. The second section, Thermal Dance, is a lively rhythmic affair. The third section Whakaari (White Island) presents a play of sounds derived from the environment of this foreboding place. Then follows the main climactic section Lahar, where the musical activity rotates around the ring of players. A Lament featuring solo piccolo and small ensemble concludes the work.

This performance was recorded in 1984 as part of the Asia Pacific Festival in Wellington. The original recording was noise reduced by Wayne Laird of Atoll Records.

Commissioned:

Commissioned by the New Zealand Chamber Music Federation (now Chamber Music New Zealand)

• Chamber Music New Zealand

Difficulty:

Advanced

Related Works

Performance History

	22 Jun 2008	Performed by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra conducted by Peter Scholes
		Auckland Chamber Orchestra    Peter Scholes
	17 May 2009	Performed by Stroma and conducted by Hamish McKeich at the Ilot Concert Chamber in Wellington, 2009
		Hamish McKeich    Stroma

Awards

• APRA Silver Scroll Award (1977)
  

  John Rimmer was awarded an APRA Silver Scroll for The Ring of Fire in 1977.