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Work
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- By:
- Duration:
- 11' 00"
- Contents:
1. The Angel holds vigil at the grave
2. The Angel sings her hymn of hope
3. The Angel makes the spirit soar
4. The Angel brings joy
5. The Angel Calms the storm
6. The Angel sounds music from heaven
7. The Angel holds vigil at the grave
Availability
- This work has 2 scores, 2 Media on Demand, 3 recordings and a resource
Programme Note
In the isolated settlement of Ahipara in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand a tiny white church sits on a hillock looking out to a range of low brooding hills. In the cemetery below, an angel stands on a pedestal at the head of a grave. One day in 1992 renowned New Zealand photographer Robin Morrison came to the church and captured the essence of the angel’s vigil in a memorable and famous image.
In late 1997 the composer Chris Blake travelled to Ahipara and stook in the same place and experiences the same image. The outcome was a short work for string orchestra which captures the hope and desolation of the angel and the memory of the soul over which she stands guard. The work was created for conductor Andrew Sewell and is based, at his suggestion, on a passage from an earlier work We All Fall Down for obliggato cello and orchestra.
This work is one of a series of four, making up The Northland Panels. They were written and premiered as separate works.
- Commissioned:
- Written for Andrew Sewell
- Dedication:
- For Andrew and Mary Anne Sewell
Related Works
| Anthem on the Kaipara | Christopher Blake |
| Christ at Whangape | Christopher Blake |
| Night Journey To Pawarenga | Christopher Blake |
Performance History
 |
12 Feb 2000 |
Performed by Mansfield Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Sewell at the Richland Performing Arts, Ohio USA |
| Andrew Sewell | ||
 |
28 Sep 2002 |
Performed by the Auckland Philharmonia conducted by Marc Taddei at the Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland |
| Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Marc Taddei | ||
| 03 Oct 2001 |
Performed in a rehearsed reading by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hamish McKeich as part of the NZSO-SOUNZ Readings |
|
| Hamish McKeich New Zealand Symphony Orchestra | ||
| 15 Apr 2005 |
Performed by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Sewell, in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. |
|
| Andrew Sewell | ||
| 26 Sep 2010 |
Performed by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Peter Scholes at Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, in Auckland |
|
| Auckland Chamber Orchestra Peter Scholes (musical director) | ||
| 12 May 2013 |
Performed by Ensemble Polymnia at the Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand |
|
Awards
- NZSO-SOUNZ Readings (2001)
Angel at Ahipara was performed at the NZSO-SOUNZ Readings in October 2001