Gareth Farr
Taheke
Works Info
Composer:Gareth FarrGenre:ChamberCompose Date:2002Average_duration:13:49Movement_count:3Movement ....Taheke is a contemporary classical composition by New Zealand composer Gareth Farr. It was composed in 1993 and premiered in the same year by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Young. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement, titled "Tangata Whenua," is a tribute to the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. It begins with a solo taonga puoro, a traditional Maori instrument, which is then joined by the orchestra. The movement features a driving rhythm and incorporates elements of Maori music, including haka-like vocalisations and the use of poi balls. The second movement, "Tangata Tiriti," is a reflection on the relationship between Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori) in New Zealand. It begins with a haunting melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet, reflective coda. The final movement, "Tangata Reo," celebrates the diversity of cultures in New Zealand. It features a lively, syncopated rhythm and incorporates elements of Pacific Island music, including the use of log drums and conch shells. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before ending with a triumphant flourish. Overall, Taheke is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Farr's skill as a composer and his deep connection to the cultural traditions of New Zealand. Its use of traditional Maori instruments and rhythms, combined with elements of Western classical music, creates a unique and compelling sound that is both contemporary and rooted in tradition.More....
