2003

for piano trio

By:

• Gareth Farr

Duration:

16' 00"

Instrumentation:

for violin, cello and piano

Contents:

Semplice ma espressivo; Scherzo; Interlude; Finale

Availability

• This work has a score, 1 Media on Demand and 3 recordings

Media on Demand

Programme Note

In January 1998 Gareth Farr was commissioned by the James Wallace Chariable Trust to write this Piano Trio for the Ogen Trio, a leading NZ ensemble. Taking its subtitle Ahi from the Maori word for “fire”, it received its debut performance in Auckland, NZ in March 1998 in the presence of the composer. The style of the work varies in each of the four movements: the flavour of a French lullaby predominates in the first; an intense and unrelenting second movement harbours overtones of a Russian military factory; whilst a Balinese pop-inspired fourth movement contains numerous gamelan-like effects. The brief third movement is merely a quiet interlude, with a melodic reference to the first movement. The composition stands in stark contrast to Farr’s previous works. He has experimented with stripping away the density characteristic of past compositions in favour of clearer textures, exploring classical form, and allowing a simplicity of line to come through and speak for itself.

Commissioned:

Commissioned by the James Wallace Arts Trust for the Ogen Trio

Difficulty:

Advanced

Difficulty Note:

Has previously been performed in the Schools' Chamber Music Contest.

Performance History

	01 Sep 2007	Performed by the Kungsbacka Trio
	02 Sep 2007	Performed by the Kungsbacka Trio
	04 Sep 2007	Performed by the Kungsbacka Trio
	05 Sep 2007	Performed by the Kungsbacka Trio
	07 Sep 2007	Performed by the Kungsbacka Trio
	08 Sep 2007	Performed by the Kungsbacka Trio
	13 Apr 2008	Performed by Justine Brown (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Sarah Watkins (piano) at the Great Hall, Arts Centre in Christchurch
		NZTrio
	20 Apr 2008	Performed by Justine Cormack (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Sarah Watkins (piano) at the Ilott Concert Chamber, Town Hall, Wellington
		NZTrio
	23 Apr 2008	Performed by Justine Cormack (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Sarah Watkins (piano) at the Music Theatre, University of Auckland, Auckland
		NZTrio