Blog by Elizabeth Kerr
SOUNZ — published April 2021
In this article to mark my 80th birthday, Elizabeth focuses on how I feel about creating, in Lilburn’s words, ‘a music of our own’, and how that relates to my work as a composer.
Dame Gillian Whitehead at 80: a music of our own — SOUNZ
Blog by Elizabeth Kerr
Five Lines — published 20 April 2021
On her Five Lines blog, Elizabeth Kerr looked back over my career and, in particular, the operas and other dramatic works I’ve written and continue to write.
Dame Gillian Whitehead at 80: weaving the threads together
Breath of the birds — the revival of taonga pūoro
Audio and transcription — published by RNZ Concert in 2021
In 2019 I was honoured to be asked to give the annual Lilburn Lecture which is presented by the Lilburn Trust each year in collaboration with Taiwhanga Kauhau the National Library of New Zealand.
I chose to speak about the origin of ngā taonga puoro, their revival, and how I’ve used these musical instruments in my work. The lecture, which took place on 1 November 2019, included a performance of Hineraukatauri by NZSO principal flautist, Bridget Douglas and taonga pūoro performer and researcher, Alistair Fraser.