Contemporary Visions 5

This segment, Bicultural New Zealand, features the music of Helen Fisher and Gillian Whitehead.

Fisher's Te Tangi A Te Matui (The Call of the Matui) for flute and voice is based on a Maori karakia, in which the flautist sings and then blends with the sound of her instrument. Whitehead's composition Puhake ki te rangi, for string quartet and taonga puoro, is another example of the strong identification of NZ composers with indigenous culture. Richard Nunns, leader in reviving the use of traditional Maori instruments, plays taonga puoro in the performance we hear.

October is the second month that 3MBS is featuring the new sounds coming out of New Zealand. The segment Focus on New Zealand Composers with Eva Light is aired weekly during every second month on Tony Thomas’ Contemporary Visions programme at 8pm Tuesdays allowing listeners to hear works they may not otherwise have had the chance to enjoy. Alan Wells, NZ musicologist, is co-creator of the series.

Each of October's four programmes features a theme:
bi-cultural Aotearoa; the cosmopolitan and multi-cultural state of the nation; nature's influence on New Zealand composition and finally, the playful role of jazz.

Eva Light welcomes your comments.