Work
Conduction #2
for taonga puoro ensemble
About
Riki Gooch’s PhD candidacy at the University of Otago builds on the ‘conduction’ method of musical leading associated with American composer/conductor Butch Morris. In conduction the person standing in front of a group of musicians provides hand signals to indicate desired sonic gestures, while leaving freedom for the exact nature of the musicians’ responses. Or as Riki explained to the Ambient Light blog, he is providing, “the gist of a phrase, without specific words to learn, just the idea.”
For ‘Conduction #2’ Riki assembles what is possibly the largest-ever ensemble of players of taonga puoro.