Work
Mata[hou]rua
for bass clarinet
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About
Mata[hou]rua is the first in a series of solo works that focus on timbral exploration.
This piece was originally inspired by a painting by New Zealand artist Sofia Minson, exploring the spirit of the legend of Kupe - the first navigator to travel from Hawaiiki to NZ on the waka Matawhaorua.
There are many different translations for the component parts of the word Matahourua. In relation to this piece ‘mata’ is taken to mean fresh, green and not fully developed. ‘Hou’ is seen to bind together the two (‘rua’) elements of human breath and the clarinet itself.
Underlying this is my continuing passion for the koru. From its natural organic growth patterns, to its numerous associations and symbolic meanings.
Mata[hou]rua was written for Richard Haynes.
Commissioned note
Contents note
three miniatures
Performance history
27 Oct 2009: Performed by Richard Haynes at the Queensland Academy of Creative Industries in Australia