2009 Music

Central landscapes

Chamber orchestra or large ensemble

For chamber orchestra

The first performance of Central landscapes was given by the Central Otago Regional Orchestra (CORO), conducted by Aart Brusse in Cromwell, Central Otago on 12 December 2009.

About the work

I had written a set of pieces for piano to celebrate the birthday of Barbara Henderson while I was living in Alexandra in Central Otago as artist-in-residence for the Henderson Arts Trust, and subsequently arranged them for CORO, which at the time was low in numbers, so the scoring was rather idiosyncratic — an extravagance of flutes, no violas, and so on.

There are 5 movements, based on surroundings of the property where I lived for over a year — Hoar frost with fire siren, Taking a line for a walk, Landscape with quail, Outlines through rising mist, and River talk.

Central landscapes for piano

Instrumentation

After the first performance I rearranged the score for a more traditional ensemble, but am happy that parts be reassigned — for example, Aart Brusse rearranged some of the score to suit CORO.

Central landscapes is scored for 2 piccolos, 2 flutes, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, timpani, xylophone and strings.

Scores

Buy or borrow the score, or hire the parts from SOUNZ.

Central landscapes — SOUNZ

Central Landscapes

Piano, Teaching works

5 pieces for piano

About the work

I wrote this set of pieces, for pianists of intermediate ability, during 2009 while I was living in Alexandra in Central Otago as artist-in-residence for the Henderson Arts Trust.

Barbara Henderson, who lived in the Plischke-designed house before it became an artist’s residence, would visit her studio in the garden most weeks. So I wrote these pieces for her birthday, and they were played by my sister Joyce at Central Stories in Alexandra at Barbara’s birthday celebration.

There are 5 movements, which can be played separately or in this order:

  • Hoar frost with fire siren
  • Taking a line for a walk
  • Landscape with quail
  • Outlines through rising mist, and
  • River talk.

Central Landscapes is dedicated to Barbara Henderson.

I subsequently arranged the pieces for the Central Regional Otago Orchestra.

Central Landscapes for chamber orchestra

Scores and recordings

All 5 pieces were published by the Sunrise Music Trust in Take Flight — music from New Zealand for intermediate pianists. Gillian Bibby recorded the pieces for a CD that accompanies the book.

Take flight — publication

Te Whiringa o Manoko

Solo voice

For solo soprano

Text by the composer

About the work

This piece was written for the dedication of Chris Booth’s sculpture of the same name at Kerikeri, and was sung by Ramonda Taleni Te Maiharoa at the opening. My text draws on local material.

Score

This work is unavailable for performance.