Documentaries

About the documentary

Established in 1970, the Mozart Fellowship at Otago University is New Zealand’s longest running composer-in-residence programme with 31 composers having enjoyed the privilege of spending time in Dunedin with nothing expected of them except to devote themselves to their art.

William Dart explores the history and the music. Excerpts of my work Awa Herea are included.

Awa Herea

Listen to the documentary

Composer of the week: Mozart Fellows at Otago University — RNZ

About the documentary

Amelia Nurse talks to a range of composers and practitioners about taonga pūoro, and raises interesting issues about their use in a ‘western’ context.

The full interviews couldn’t be included in the programme, but are now available to listen to online, including a conversation with me about composing for taonga pūoro.

Listen to the talks

Composer of the week: taonga pūoro — RNZ

Composer Gillian Whitehead describes how she first heard and began composing for taonga pūoro — RNZ

About the documentary

Charlotte Wilson interviewed me on the occasion of my 70th birthday, looking back over my life and career.

Works

Excerpts from a range of old and new works are included in the programme.

Listen to the documentary

Composer of the week: Gillian Whitehead (b. 1941) — RNZ

About the documentary

Robin Nathan looks at the relationship between bird calls and music. She talks to bird experts, and me about incorporating bird sounds in my music.

Listen to the documentary

The secret life of birds — RNZ

In the documentary, producer Prue Donald, with cameraman Barrington West, filmed me during my year as the first composer-in-residence in Douglas Lilburn’s former home in Thorndon, Wellington during 2005 and 2006.

Lilburn Residence

About the documentary

Commissioned by TVNZ 1 for Artsville, Composer in Residence offers a rare insight into the creative process bringing Whitehead’s unique music to life as she works on a range of projects during her residency with the New Zealand String Quartet and Richard Nunns, Carolyn Mills and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand School of Music, Tudor Consort and the Royal NZ Air Force Central Band, and Gaylene Preston.

View the documentary

Buy or borrow the DVD from SOUNZ.

Composer in residence — SOUNZ

Review

Simon Sweetman reviewed the documentary for the Sunday Star Times ahead of its broacast on TVNZ.

Gillian Whitehead — Stuff January 2009