Tuhonohono combines Maori, European traditions
Tuhonohono combines Maori, European traditions
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A traveling group of six pakeha (non-Maori New Zealander) and
Maori musicians is the core of the Tuhonohono ensemble.
They are due to appear at 8 p.m. at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta,
Central Jakarta, on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, as part of Art Summit
Indonesia 2004.
According to the summit, the ensemble -- named after a Maori
word meaning "to bring together, to weave, join or support" will,
in weaving together the strands of Maori and European musical
tradition -- present the best of New Zealand composer Gillian
Whitehead's output. Her works center on the Maori, the first
people of Aotearoa-New Zealand, exploring a fusion of
instruments, texts and vocal styles, as well as pakeha and Maori
themes.
Gillian Karrawe Whitehead is a composer who is well-known in
New Zealand and Australia. Last year, she was given an honorary
doctorate of music from the Victoria University of Wellington. In
November, she was awarded the Sounz Contemporary Award for her
composition, Alice.
Over the years, she has created over 60 works, with 43 of them
being performed internationally.
Recent performances include Moon, Tides and Shoreline by the
Ergo Ensemble in Toronto, and Arapatiki by Stepen de Pledge at
Wigmore Hall, London.
Last year, the Southern Cross Soloists, Brisbane and the
Toronto Talisker Ensemble included her work in their repertoire.
Whitehead also took part in the Sonorities Festival, Belfast and
the International Association of Women Composers Festival in
Seoul.
Tuhonohono's performers comprise top New Zealand musicians who
have presented Whitehead's works at various events, either as
soloists or an ensemble.
Dan Poynton is known as the "champion of champions" of New
Zealand piano music, while cellist Ashley Brown is a member of
The New Zealand Trio and Timua Brennan is a noted Maori soprano.
Richard Nunns is one of New Zealand's most respected
performers and researchers of Maori music and instruments, the
nga taonga puoro, and Inggrid Culliford is a freelance flautist
and teacher who performs regularly with the New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra.