Work
Von Tempsky
for taonga puoro and brass band
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About
Von Tempsky is a symphonic work for brass band in four movements depicting episodes from the life of Gustavus von Tempsky (1828 - 1868), who arrived in New Zealand in 1862 and rose to fame as an officer in the Forest Rangers during the wars in the Waikato and Taranaki. While he was a popular figure in colonial society, his place in New Zealand history has been revised as the country's view of the nineteenth-century land wars have evolved. In particular, his involvement, and that of many others in the colonial forces, at Rangiaowhia and Ōrākau, is a subject that causes strong reactions to this day.
The first movement is a tragic depiction of the wars in broad brushstrokes. It segues into a fast second movement reflecting the intense but ever-changing nature of close-quarter bush warfare. The third movement recalls a night Von Tempsky hid in wetlands that echoed with the calls of bitterns, and features a melody, 'Ah! Non credea mirarti', by his favourite composer, Bellini. The final movement is the scene of Von Tempky's death at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu.
Commissioned note
Commissioned by Howick Brass with the support of Creative Communities, the Howick Local Board, and Dr Toot Brass & Woodwind Specialist.
Difficulty note
Intermediate - advanced level. Suitable for brass bands at A or B grade.
Contents note
This work is in four movements, each a sonic tableau that meditates on the life of this controversial figure from the history of Aotearoa. The first movement is a broad panorama of the wars, while the second plunges us into the running battles and skirmishes with which the Von Tempsky’s Forest Rangers were associated. The third movement juxtaposes a melody of Bellini with the haunting calls of a bittern/matuku-hūrepo, recalling both a famous mission by Von Tempsky and his musical reputation. The final movement depicts Von Tempsky’s death at Te Ngutu o te Manu.