Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

in New Zealand

Death

:

1946 in New Zealand

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Paraire Tomoana was a prominent composer of classical music from New Zealand. He was born on December 15, 1883, in the small town of Waiwhetu, near Wellington. Tomoana was the youngest of six children, and his parents were both of Maori descent. His father was a farmer, and his mother was a singer and musician. Tomoana showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He was largely self-taught, but he also received some formal training from local music teachers. As a teenager, he began composing his own music and quickly gained a reputation as a talented composer. In 1903, Tomoana moved to Auckland to pursue his musical career. He quickly became involved in the local music scene and began performing and composing music for various events and occasions. He also began teaching music and became a respected music educator. Tomoana's music was heavily influenced by his Maori heritage, and he often incorporated Maori themes and motifs into his compositions. He was particularly interested in the traditional Maori music known as waiata, and he worked to preserve and promote this music throughout his career. One of Tomoana's most famous compositions is the song "Pokarekare Ana," which he wrote in 1914. The song is a love song that tells the story of a Maori woman waiting for her lover to return from war. The song became hugely popular in New Zealand and has since become a beloved national anthem. Tomoana continued to compose music throughout his life, and his works were performed by orchestras and choirs throughout New Zealand. He also continued to teach music and was a mentor to many young musicians. In addition to his musical career, Tomoana was also involved in politics and was a strong advocate for Maori rights. He was a member of the Maori Parliament and worked to promote Maori culture and language. Tomoana died on October 1, 1946, at the age of 62. His legacy as a composer and musician continues to be celebrated in New Zealand, and his music remains an important part of the country's cultural heritage.

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