Work

Programme Note

Inspired by sparkling waters of Tasman Bay Nelson, this choral work (SSAATB) was originally composed with flute accompaniment, which has been substituted in performances by the Shakuhachi (traditional Japanese flute) and also the Koauau (traditional Maori flute). There are recordings of Pounamu with each of these flutes. The piece’s choral texture uses Maori vowel sounds and a text which is a whakatauki (proverb) from the Waikato region.

Difficulty:

Advanced

Influences:

• Landscape - NZ
• Maori - culture

Related Works

Performance History

	23 Dec 2008	Performed by Tower Voices New Zealand conducted by Karen Grylls with Richard Nunns (koauau) and Elise Bradley (alto). This was broadcast on the radio programme Light on New Zealand Composers, produced by Eva Light
		Karen Grylls    Richard Nunns    Voices New Zealand
	19 Nov 2011	Performed by Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir at the Wellington Town Hall, in Wellington
		Voices New Zealand
	20 Nov 2011	Performed by Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir at St John’s Cathedral in Napier
		Voices New Zealand
	21 Nov 2011	Performed by Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir at Auckland Town Hall, in Auckland
		Voices New Zealand
	23 Nov 2011	Performed by Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir at Aurora Centre for Performing Arts, in Christchurch
		Voices New Zealand
	24 Nov 2011	Performed by Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir at Knox Church in Dunedin
		Voices New Zealand