Work
He Whakaahua o Maru (A Portrait of Maru)
for soprano, flute/piccolo and piano
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About
As young children, some of us see our parents more as gods than as human beings. Time goes by and the feet of clay may start to emerge, with possibly scary or enigmatic aspects. Finally our parents die, maybe somewhat shrivelled, physically and possibly also spiritually. And how do we feel about all this?
In this brand new song cycle for soprano, flute and piano, we encounter the child’s vividly remembered emotional experiences as the adult protagonist revisits and eventually comes to terms with this.
The connecting of poetry in Maori on a universal theme of childhood and maturity in a New Zealand context, with its expression via classical art song, here produces the sort of work that might always be expected to arise in a society where cultural expression, cross-connection and interactions are increasingly alive, affectionate, meaningful and robust.
Commissioned note
Commissioned by Jenny Wollerman, with funding by Creative New Zealand.
Difficulty note
Suitable for advanced music students (eg university, music schools), professional performers
Contents note
15 songs from c.1'30" to c2'30" duration:
1. Tu tonu te pou (2:25)
2. Tarapeke mai ai (1:45)
3. Muri i te maihe (2:15)
4. Koe pokokohua! (haka) (1:20)
5. Korero pukapuka (2:25)
6. Runga i nga puke (1:08)
7. Anei he korihi manu (1:37)
8. Kei te waru riwai (2.20)
9. Haereere ana (1:56)
10. Ko wai kua maiki ra? (karanga) (1:00)
11. E rere ra, e te ao uru (waiata tangi)(2:30)
12. Tino paku ke (2:23)
13. Matiti nei (whisper haka) (0:40)
14. Rere mai ana, e te awa (2:03)
15. Ko nga riu (2:32)
Text note
2 traditional Maori texts, plus 13 original Maori poems based on free translations by the composer of selected events from the book 'A Greekish Trinity' by Mike Nicolaidi
Poems written and translated by the composer.