Work
Matariki
for string quartet
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About
"Matariki" refers to the Maori New Year celebration, heralded by the dawn appearance of the Pleiades constellation. While writing Matariki I was struck by two things: firstly, how often it rains at dawn, and secondly, how easy it is to stay in bed on the occasions when the weather is fine, though somewhat frosty. Given the (fortunately) cyclical nature of Matariki, it seemed appropriate to base this work around a harmonic ostinato. I was also interested in the significance of the Pleiades to other cultures around the world.
Commissioned note
Matariki was commissioned by the New Zealand String Quartet as part of their "Travelling Portmanteau", and written with funding from Creative NZ.
Performance history
28 Mar 2014: NZSM Lunchtime – NZSQ concert
19 Jun 2014: Te Ao Mārama
12 Jun 2022: NZ String Quartet | FIRST LIGHT: National Tour
18 Jun 2022: NZ String Quartet | FIRST LIGHT: National Tour | Auckland (Devonport)
02 Jul 2022: NZ String Quartet | FIRST LIGHT: National Tour | Akaroa
07 Jul 2022: NZ String Quartet | FIRST LIGHT: National Tour | Tauranga
17 Jul 2022: NZ String Quartet | FIRST LIGHT: National Tour | Blenheim
24 Jul 2022: NZ String Quartet | FIRST LIGHT: National Tour | Wellington (Hunter Council Chamber)