1982

for voices percussion and invented instruments

By:

• Philip Dadson
• Wayne Laird

Duration:

25' 00"

Instrumentation:

in part 1: tuned PVC pipes, metal chimes, roto-toms, voices, trom-tubes, spun drones, rattle-jackets and kerosene cans

in part 2: voices, tuned wood, metal and PVC pipe lengths, 3 tenor slide trombones and 3 saxophones, soprano, alto, tenor and surf sticks

Contents:

Part 1 and 2

Samples

	Recording (947k)	17:19-18:19	© Kiwi Pacific
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Availability

• This work has 3 recordings and a resource

Programme Note

Pacific 3-2-1-Zero (parts 1 and 2) is a work of protest against nuclear testing and waste dumping in Oceania. The structure is based on an image of isolated islands of acitivity connected by common waters whose currents now innocently carry nuclear contamination.

The work takes place in the round, with the instruments in Part 1 arranged centrally to indicate the symbol for nuclear disarmament.

The syllables heard in the first vocal section are taken from the names of individual islands within Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. These are mirrored and inverted in the same way as the rhythms in the music are. In a later vocal section the names of contaminated islands testing sites: Mururoa (France), Fangata’ufa (France), Christmas Island (UK/USA), Johnston Island (USA), Enewetak (USA), Bikini (USA) are sung, then shouted and drummed on tins to sound both lament and warning.

Part 2, developed in 1983, expresses hope and is dedicated to the emerging force of solidarity among the people of the Pacific.

Difficulty:

Advanced

Influences:

• Kaupapa - protest

Performance History

	02 Jun 1986	Performed by From Scratch at Auckland Girls Grammar School, Auckland
	13 Sep 2009	New digital version of the film of this work screened at the Going West Writers and Book Festival in Waitakere