Work
Ka taka te mōtoi
for voice, taonga puoro and ensemble
About
Ka taka te mōtoi for ensemble, voice and taonga puoro was composed by Ariana Tikao in memory of Kevin Jarrett, a brass band leader and much loved mentor. The lament includes these lines:
Taka, ka taka, ka taka te mōtoi
My feather plume is falling
Tākina ki te whetū
I reach to the stars
Tākina ki te marama
I reach for the moon
Tākina ki te ata o taku raukura
I reach for my precious one
Ka riro e!
But you have been taken from me
The work's instrumental lines were arranged by Stroma Artistic Co-Director Michael Norris for string quintet, harp and taonga puoro.