NEW EDITION PROMETHEAN EDITIONS
PROMETHEAN EDITIONS LIMITED ~ WELLINGTON ~ NEW ZEALAND | SEPTEMBER 2009
Not a normal night at the symphony
Pagan Prayer performed by Kokoro Dance & Vancouver Symphony players Roundhouse Theatre, Vancouver
G
ARETH FARR continues to be one of New Zealand’s most diverse compos-
ers, having completed a characteristically wide variety of national and international projects in 2008-09. Chief amongst Photo: Chris Randle
these was his violin solo Wakatipu, commissioned as the set work for semifinalists in the prestigious 2009 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, held in Queenstown and Auckland, New Zealand, in June. Farr attended the eightand vibraphone) and Spook (marimba).
een performances of the work, and was
collaborative composition and perform-
present when competition finalist Yoo
ance project for Susan Lei’ataua’s theatre
A variety of prominent performers
Jin Jang was awarded the prize for best
work Breaking the Surface at Skirball
continue to promote Farr’s music in New
performance of the work.
Theatre, New York City on 16 April 2009.
Zealand and worldwide. In November
At the other end of the spectrum,
The latter was presented by the Asian/
2008, renowned pianist Henry Wong Doe
music for stage and screen formed a
Pacific/American Institute of New York
gave the North American premiere per-
large part of Farr’s work over the past
University.
formance of The Horizon from Owhiro
year; his music for Kia Ora Khalid, a chil-
Farr’s works have received a wide lis-
Bay at Carnegie Hall, New York. The work
dren’s opera, received praise throughout
tening over the past year. In November
was originally commissioned as part of
its New Zealand tour in March and April
2008, he was the featured composer on
a cycle of short piano works by New
2009. Other stage works included music
KUSC Classical, Los Angeles. Well-known
Zealand composers and premiered by
for the plays Heat, and Blood Wedding.
host Jim Svejda presented a five hour
pianist Stephen De Pledge in February
Farr’s 1992 work Pagan Prayer was
programme on the composer’s life and
2008. In February, Farr’s He Poroporoaki,
integrated into a production featuring
work, introducing Farr to a huge new
for the New Zealand String Quartet and
live orchestral music with innovative
audience. The programme included works
Richard Nunns, received its New Zealand
dance during Vancouver’s International
from Farr’s September 2008 album release
premiere. In May, percussionists Jeremy
Dance Festival in March 2009. Kokoro
Tangaroa (MMT2058), featuring percus-
Fitzsimons and Pedro Carneiro took Farr’s
Dance collaborated with the Vancouver
sionist Jeremy Fitzsimons.
Dialogue to Portugal, where it was per-
Symphony Orchestra to present the work
Tangaroa spent eleven consecutive
alongside music by Scott Good and Arvo
weeks in the Radio New Zealand Classical
Pärt. Globe and Mail reviewer Elissa Poole
Chart after its release in September 2008.
commented on the “apocalyptic intensity”
Works on the album include the title
of Farr’s work, concluding that the col-
piece, Tangaroa, (marimba solo), the
laboration was “not a normal night at the
well-known and much-played Kembang
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
symphony”.
Suling (marimba and flute), Tuatara (per-
Farr: Triple Concerto
cussion and piano), Dialogue (marimba
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherezade
Most recently, Farr participated in a
formed at the Lisbon Festival of Music.
REPERTOIRE RECOMMENDATION Vector Wellington Orchestra, 12 July 2008
www.promethean-editions.com Promethean Editions Limited • PO Box 10-143, Wellington, New Zealand • P +64 4 473 5033 • F +64 4 473 5066 • info@promethean-editions.com Publisher & Managing Director Ross Hendy • Promotion Executive Charley Davenport • Music Editor Alison Grant • Production Coordinator Jared Commerer
Composer news
C
ollaboration has been a key feature
Psathas’ works continue to excite
year. New Zealand contemporary music
of John Psathas’ recent work. In July
audiences around the world, with many
ensemble Stroma picked up the pro-
2008, Psathas arranged the music of New
performers introducing his music to
gramme and presented it in the 2006
Zealand psychedelic rock band Little
new audiences. The New Zealand String
New Zealand International Festival of the
Bushman for their performance with the
Quartet took Kartsigar on their 2008
Arts, with the original soloists. Zeibekiko
Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. The
European tour, and Giunter Percussion
received immense praise, The Guardian
performance was one of a series of well-
and the Lithuanian State Symphony
(UK) describing it as “an intoxicating col-
received concerts the APO has presented
Orchestra gave the European perform-
laboration … [that] balanced nostalgia
in recent seasons featuring prominent
ance of the intense and exciting 2002 work
with celebration”. The NBE will premiere
New Zealand bands of various types. In
Psyzygysm. New Zealand percussionist
Zeibekiko II in 2010. Zeibekiko II will
October 2009, the New Zealand Orchestra
Jeremy Fitzsimons, an experienced per-
encompass 2500 years of Greek music,
will present another programme featur-
former of Psathas, joined forces with the
from the Byzantine era to contemporary
ing the combined talents of Psathas and
renowned percussionist Pedro Carneiro
Greek sounds. The programme will once
the band.
to present Ukiyo in Portugal in May 2009.
again feature and draw on the talent of
Following on from the success of the
Carneiro also played One Study One
Manos Achalinotopoulos (clarino trum-
APO performance, Psathas was once again
Summary at the Percussive Arts Society
pet) and percussionist Vanelis Karypis.
engaged by the APO to work with Serj
International Conference in Austin, Texas
Among the most prominent perform-
Tankian, solo artist and unconventional
in November 2008. Other North American
ers of Psathas’ music is the Takács Quartet,
frontman of System of a Down. The per-
performances have included the Flexible
who will tour Psathas 2008 commission A
formance on 16 March 2009, featured
Music Ensemble’s performance of Mal
Cool Wind to a number of US centres in
works from Tankian’s multifaceted solo
Occhio in New York City in March this year.
March-April 2009, including the New York
album Elect the Dead, scored by Tankian
The Boston Crusaders recently performed
premiere at Carnegie Hall. Quartet mem-
and arranged by Psathas. Describing
an arrangement of Psathas’ Maenads, the
ber András Fejér said of the work during
the process of collaboration at the time,
final movement of his double concerto
its premiere tour of New Zealand “it’s very
Psathas said ‘the arrangements and
View from Olympus, as part of their Drum
convincing… It certainly feels as though
orchestrations keep getting bigger and
Corps International World Championship
it is looking back to the great tradition
bigger. We’re scoring for a big orchestra,
show “The Core of Temptation”.
of string quartet music. It’s deeply felt,
and the APO certainly have their work
Psathas’ rich Greek musical heritage
cut out for them. Serj is totally clear
will once again be front and centre in
about how he wants this to sound, and I
Zeibekiko II, an update to his major 2004
A number of commissions and oppor-
love that he’s been pushing me to come
work (conceived as an entire programme)
tunities will demand the composer’s
up with ways to create an energy that is
for the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble
attention in late 2009 and 2010. Psathas
different from, but as powerful as, the
and Greek traditional instrument solo-
received the top bid in a SOUNZ Centre
performances on the Elect the Dead CD.’
ists. The wind ensemble toured Holland
for New Zealand Music fundraising auc-
The concert was filmed for eventual DVD
with Zeibekiko in 2004 and it featured
tion to commission five prominent NZ
release.
in the Bath Festival (UK) later the same
composers, and will compose a work for
Jeremy Fitzsimons
a thoroughly thought through composition.”
the commissioner’s choice of performer in the coming months. He is currently completing work on a new marimba concerto, the result of a collaboration between Pedro Carneiro and a consortium of New Zealand’s four major regional orchestras. The new work will be performed around the country. REPERTOIRE RECOMMENDATION NZSO, Olympic Cultural Festival, Beijing 27 August 2008 PSATHAS: Olympiad XXVIII
Photo: Michael Norris
ELGAR: Cello Concerto Sibelius: Symphony No.2
C
HRISTOS HATZIS’ In the Fire of
Angele Dubeau & La Pietà
Conflict has been wowing audienc-
es in many forms since its premiere by Denise Djokic and Scott Ryan (with dance by Peggy Baker), on 5 August 2008 during the Toronto Summer Music Festival. The work, in two continuous movements, was originally scored for cello
and
percussion,
accompanied
by a digital audio part sourced from American rapper Steve Henry (a.k.a. Bugsy H., of Christian rap group Poetik Disciples). In March 2009 the work was performed in Brooklyn, New York, by Seth Woods and Bill Solomon. It has also been reworked as a marimba solo, and performed by Beverley Johnston at the
US cities in late September and October
Kevin Lau. The arrangement is the result
Nebojsa Zivkovic International Summer
2009.
of a commission from a World Association
Music Academy, in Germany (she also
In October, Hatzis Redemption: Book 1
for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles
performed Hatzis’ Fertility Rites), and
receives its world premiere in Ohio from
consortium, and will be first performed
as a percussion quartet performed by
the Grammy Award winning Pacifica
by Rod Squance with the University of
TorQ Percussion Ensemble, in Toronto,
Quartet with CityMusic Cleveland. The
Calgary Wind Ensemble early next year.
Canada. Hatzis said of the collaboration
work, 35 minutes in itself, is part of an
With such a wealth of performances,
with Henry; I have always been fascinated
ambitious set of works. The Redemption
of which these are only a small selec-
by the prosodic rhythmic discourse of hip-
cycle, featuring five standalone works for
tion, it is no surprise that Hatzis was
hop music, but certainly not by its implicit
a variety of instrumental combinations,
the recipient of the 2008 Jan Matejcek
endorsement of misogyny and violence that
is based on the theme of human redemp-
Concert Music Award. The prize, part of
one so often encounters in hip-hop lyrics.
tion as expounded by turn-of-the-century
Canada’s Juno Awards, is awarded to the
Poetik Disciples used the same musical tech-
American seer Edgar Cayce. Redemption:
most performed and broadcast Canadian
niques to essentially create devotional songs
Book 5 is Hatzis’ well-received 2004 work
composer, a testament to the breadth of
and that was very inspirational to me.
Sepulchre of Life, for soprano, Middle-
Hatzis’ appeal.
Following the successful commission
Eastern singer, SATB choir and symphony
of Tongues of Fire for Beverley Johnston
orchestra. The complete set is expected to
and Dame Evelyn Glennie in 2007, Hatzis
encompass eight movements and some
REPERTOIRE RECOMMENDATION Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, 6 December 2008
has again composed a major work for
two hours of music. Redemption: Books
Copland: Three Latin-American Sketches
Glennie, commissioned by the Canadian
2-4 are yet to be written.
Hatzis: Rebirth
Broadcasting Corporation. Mirage?, for
Hatzis older works continue to receive
solo percussion and chamber orchestra,
wide acclaim, with many receiving repeat
will be premiered in Winnipeg, Canada,
performances by prominent ensembles.
on 9 September 2009 by Glennie and
Vancouver Cantata Singers with Anne-
the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and
Julie Caron performed the 2000 work
toured around Canada over the next three
Everlasting Light last October, while
weeks.
Hatzis’ 2004 horn concerto Winter Solstice
Hatzis has another major work being
was performed by the Camerata Orchestra
premiered in the same week – Arabesque,
of Athens with Constantinos Siskos
for solo violin, piano and string orches-
(horn) and conductor Alexander Myrat
tra receives its first performance; Angèle
in January this year. The oboe concerto
Dubeau will perform with La Pièta in
Telluric Dances will receive its French
Mont-Tremblant, Canada. The work, which
premiere from Gilles Loulier (oboe) and
Hatzis calls ‘autobiographical’, draws on a
Orchestre National de Montpellier in
variety of musical genres in the course
November 2009. Hatzis’ percussion con-
of its four movements. The work will be
certo Tongues of Fire has recently been
performed in a number of Canadian and
reworked for wind band by composer
Bernstein: Halil-Nocturne for Flute & Orchestra Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Composer briefs
P
romethean Editions’ published composers continue to
Los Angeles and New York welcomed the music of Matthew Hindson with the Adelaide Symphony’s tour and performance
receive acclaim for their work.
Mike Nock, whose works feature in Firestarters 3, was
of Kalkadunga, a concerto for didjeridu co-composed with
inducted into the Australian Jazz Hall of Fame at a ceremony
virtuoso William Barton in January this year. As Composer-in-
in Melbourne in 2009. Nock’s twenty-minute four-hand piano
Residence with the Queensland Orchestra, Hindson was fea-
work, Southern Suite, was premiered in May by New Zealand
tured for a Composer Portrait concert on 31 August last month,
pianists Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons. In June, Nock’s
including performances of his orchestral works Rave-Elation,
Fictional Realities was performed by the Apollo Trio, and broad-
Balkan Connection, two movements from A Symphony of Modern
cast live by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations, and pian-
Objects and a new version of Didjeribluegrass. On 23 September,
ist Simon Tedeschi recorded two of Mike’s piano pieces for an
Hindson’s major new work Symphony No. 2: E=mc2 is to be pre-
upcoming ABC classics album.
miered by the Birmingham Royal Ballet in Birmingham, UK.
Helen Fisher’s choral and flute work Pounamu, first per-
James Ledger continues to enjoy symphonic premieres as
formed in 1990, continues to draw performers and audiences
Composer-in-Residence with the West Australian Symphony
and students. A popular item in Promethean Editions’ Education
Orchestra. In May they presented the world premiere of Arcs
series, the work was performed in July and August by the
and Planes. This month they are to present the world pre-
Auckland Choral Society, with conductor and flautist, Uwe
miere of Chronicles. In 2008, Ledger was awarded the Churchill
Grodd. Promethean Editions looks forward to adding three new
Fellowship for a research trip to Estonia, examining current
composers to the catalogue when Firestarters 4 is released early
compositional practice.
2010.
The Westminster Philharmonia in London showcased com-
Australian composer Katy Abbott has
poser Anthony Ritchie with the performance of Symphony No.
recently returned to Melbourne from Dubai,
1 ‘Boum’ in March this year. As Composer-in-Residence with
where she has been living. Since her return,
the Manukau Symphony Orchestra, Ritchie’s Piano Concerto
the composer has had her first sympho-
No.3 was premiered with soloist Emma Sayers in June. Another
ny, Souls of Fire, broadcast in Australia and
notable performance this year was Widow’s Songs for choir, pre-
Canada. Abbott has also been Composer-in-
sented at the Asia Composers League in Korea.
Residence at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Tasmania in 2009.
This month, four works by Paul Stanhope feature at the internationally renowned Vale of Glamorgan Festival in (Old
New Zealand-based Gao Ping will contribute a piano work,
South) Wales: The Arch Window, Mularra, Yamihndi and the
in addition to a busy year of composing, teaching and perform-
Takemitsu prize-winning work Fantasia on a Theme of Vaughan
ing. In June, he played a recital with cellist Edith Salzmann at
Williams to be performed by the BBC National Orchestra of
Beijing’s Capital Normal University. NZTrio premiered the com-
Wales.
poser’s new work Su Xie Si Ti (Four Sketches), in early July. A piano quintet, mei, lan, zhu, ju, was also performed in August by pianist John Chen, with the Singaporean T’ang Quartet. Chris Gendall is a young New Zealand composer
currently
undertaking
the
D.M.A. programme at Cornell University, New York. Gendall won the prestigious
Performer spotlight
D
AME EVELYN GLENNIE has been a long-time supporter of Promethean Editions’ composers. As the first
person to successfully create and sustain a full-time career
SOUNZ Contemporary Award in 2008, one
as a solo percussionist, Glennie was an early promoter of
of the youngest composers to do so. In
the composers’ extensive list of percussion works. As well
2009, Gendall was one of five composers
as introducing works such as Psathas’ Drum Dances and
selected for a commission auction to raise
Matre’s Dance to her regular repertoire, she has premiered
funds for SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music.
works for solo percussion and orchestra, such as Farr’s Hikoi
Stuart Greenbaum celebrated a recent success by winning
(New Zealand Symphony Orchestra), Psathas’ View from
the Australian Music Centre/APRA ‘Orchestral Work of the
Olympus (Hallé Orchestra) and Percussion Concerto. Most
Year Award’ 2008 for his work 90 Minutes Circling the Earth. In
recently, she performed Christos Hatzis’ Tongues of Fire with
October 2009, he will be Composer-in-Residence for the Port
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Vancouver Symphony
Fairy Spring Music Festival, which will include performances
Orchestra. In September 2009, Glennie will add another
of his works: Falling By Degrees, Evocation, Coventry Cathedral,
major work from a Promethean composer to her repertoire
800 million heartbeats and Nelson Interludes. Greenbaum is also
when she premieres Hatzis’ new concerto for percussion and
the recipient of the 2009 Trans-Tasman composer residency, in
orchestra, Mirage? with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in
which he will travel to Auckland, NZ to work with NZTrio in
Winnipeg, Canada.
September.
Glennie writes, “Over the years it has been a terrific
Publication news Douglas Lilburn Complete Piano Music
H
AVING COMPLETED the first five volumes of the his-
established Waiteata Music Press
torically important Larry Pruden Collected Edition,
in 1967, and in 1984 founded the
Promethean Editions is beginning work on the publication
Lilburn Trust, which continues to
of another important collection, the complete piano works of
support and promote New Zealand
Douglas Lilburn (1915-2001). Lilburn occupies a pre-eminent
Music.
position in New Zealand music, with a legacy extending well
The collection will draw on
beyond his compositional output. As a composer, a teacher,
the expertise of Series Editor
and later as an encouraging background presence, he presided
Robert Hoskins, who contribut-
in innumerable ways over the artistic growth of this country.
ed in the same capacity to the
His music, from the early works redolent of the influence of
Pruden Collected Edition. Hoskins
Sibelius and Vaughan Williams, to the electroacoustic pieces of his later years, makes up a
will be joined by DOUGLAS LILBURN Piano Music 1
Contributing Editor
corpus of works that has been instrumental in
Rod Biss. As well as
establishing a genuinely vernacular voice in New
being a composer himself, Biss has extensive expe-
Zealand classical music.
rience in the publishing industry, having worked
The youngest of seven children, Douglas Lilburn spent his early years on Drysdale, the family sheep station in the central North Island.
for Schott London and later Production Director of VOLUME 5 Works for String Orchestra
Faber Music, and one of the co-founders of Price Milburn Music Ltd. Biss is well-known in New
After winning a prize offered by Percy Grainger for
Zealand as a discerning reviewer and music jour-
a new New Zealand orchestral piece, he enrolled
nalist for many of the country’s most prominent
in 1937 at the Royal College of Music in London,
magazines and newspapers. Biss and Hoskins work
where his teachers included R.O. Morris and
alongside an editorial panel yet to be confirmed.
Vaughan Williams. On his return to New Zealand
The complete works will encompass some 26
he taught composition at the Cambridge Summer Music Schools,
individual standalone works and suites (the Occasional Pieces
and in 1947 joined the staff of the newly-established music fac-
for Piano suite alone includes some twenty short works), over
ulty at Victoria University of Wellington. Here, until his retire-
three volumes of music. The first two volumes will be released in
ment in 1981, he established a centre for composition, bringing
late 2009, with the remaining four volumes expected by the end
to his own music and to his students the fruits of his investiga-
of 2010. The series will also comprise of a best of collection and
tions into international trends in contemporary composition. He
a special version with edited selections for young players.
experience for me to collaborate with composers from New
their styles or voices which is why they seem to strike at the
Zealand. They all have their own distinctive voices and
heart of all people.”
approaches, all extremely exciting and all deserve worldwide recognition. Thanks to the internet and the dedicated support from Promethean Editions people from all over the world are able to tap into the exciting talent that NZ is producing including other non national composers that are supported through Promethean. “The percussion concerti I have been involved with by John Psathas, Gareth Farr and Christos Hatzis have all been extremely worthwhile additions to the percussion repertoire. other percussionists, orchestras, conductors and audiences has been extensive which is why we return to these composers asking them to write more and more for our medium! “I have really adored how Christos, John and Gareth have totally embraced and understood the participation of the audience – they have understood the need to deliver something memorable, exciting, intriguing, thought-provoking. Their music has no boundaries and one cannot easily categorize
Photo: James Wilson © Evelyn Glennie
The impact these pieces have had on not only myself but many
Recent Editions Promethean Edition Series
IN THE FIRE OF CONFLICT – SOLO PERCUSSION WITH DIGITAL AUDIO (PE108)
Massey Edition
Gareth Farr
In the Fire of Conflict is named after the theme for the 2008 Toronto Summer Music Festival for which it was written. Set in two continuous movements, ‘Rescue Me’ & ‘I Call Your Name,’ the live percussion part is performed with the rap music in the digital audio part, sourced from American rapper Steve Henry a.k.a. ‘Bugsy H.’, of the Christian rap group Poetik Disciples. The live percussion weaves constantly around the rap lyrics, often drawing melodic contours from the prosodic contours of the spoken text.
Ralph Vaughan Williams
THREE ETUDES – solo marimba (PE092) Three Etudes was written while Farr was performing regularly as a marimba soloist. ‘From Duggan’ was created from the title theme music for the New Zealand Television series Duggan for which Farr composed the soundtrack for two pilot episodes and the eleven one-hour episodes made subsequently. Duggan was a police-drama series in which Detective Inspector John Duggan (played by John Bach) was given grisly murder cases to solve set against the scenic backdrop of New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds. The second and third etudes were written for fellow percussionists Jeremy Fitzsimons and Suzanne Warner respectively. Three Etudes showcases the many potential rhythmic and sonic possibilities of the marimba by exploiting virtuosic playing techniques (such as the double lateral stroke) and contrasting moods with seamless chordotonal melodies.
THE HORIZON FROM OWHIRO BAY – SOLO PIANO (PE091) The Horizon from Owhiro Bay was commissioned by the James Wallace Arts Trust for pianist Stephen De Pledge, as part of his programme of works by New Zealand composers, collectively titled ‘Landscape Preludes,’ first performed and presented this programme the New Zealand International Arts Festival on 28 February 2008. Farr writes: ‘This prelude is a musical representation of the view I see at twilight from my studio on the South Coast of Wellington - the moody dark green depths of Cook Strait, the inky blue sky, and the endless unbroken horizon dividing the two. Fishing boats sit on the horizon all lit up, looking like little gleaming gemstones in the darkness. The occasional gust of wind stirs up wild eddies on the surface of the water, and the odd rogue wave hurls itself onto the rocks and up into the air in a spectacular explosion of sea spray.’
CHRISTOS HATZIS OLD PHOTOGRAPHS – PIANO TRIO (PE104) Old Photographs is a stand-alone movement for piano trio from the multimedia music theatre work Constantinople. Within the context of the larger work, it provides an antidote to the heartrending intensity of several of the other movements. Unlike the rest of Constantinople, Old Photographs is totally based on western musical idioms and opens with an introspective theme for solo piano which is stylistically akin to the music of Robert Schumann. As the work progresses the violin and cello enter and the music slowly drifts away from the classical/ romantic mould of the opening towards early 20thcentury popular idioms reminiscent of the music of Astor Piazzolla.
John Psathas FRAGMENT (ARR. FITZSIMONS) – VIBRAPHONE & MARIMBA (PE089)
Edited by Nathaniel Lew
MASSEY UNIVERSITY MUSIC EDITION
Dialogue was commissioned for Jeremy Fitzsimons to perform on a recording devoted to marimba music by Gareth Farr. It is set in three movements: Introduction, Kotekan, Moto Perpetuo. This work explores the sonic interplay of the two instruments, from blending together as one sound to contrasting textures. ‘Introduction’ is a development of a chord progression; ‘Kotekan’ includes Balinese interlocking techniques (kotekan); and ‘Moto Perpetuo’ surges forward with the two instruments interweaving in counterpoint, parallel motion and in canon.
SCENES FROM BUNYAN’S PILGRIM’S PROGRESS (PME14) Published for the first Scenes Adapted from Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress time, Scenes Adapted By Evelyn U. Ouless from Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Music composed and selected by Ralph Vaughan Williams Progress contains the complete script and extant musical numbers from the 1907 and 1908 productions in London. This publication is edited and considered for modern readers and performers. The script is restored and clarified, and includes detailed music cues. The score draws on several primary sources, and existing gaps are filled with additional music selections and fabrications in the Appendix. In the preface, Nathaniel Lew explains the sources and editorial decisions leading to this publication, all of which makes for both a scholarly and practical work. Edited by Nathaniel G. Lew
The Massey University Music Edition is published by Promethean Editions Limited
This short work is an adaptation of a piano duet originally written to commemorate the retirement occasion of the composer’s first piano teacher, Peter Williams. At the time of its composition, Psathas was engaged in writing his double concerto for percussion, piano and orchestra, View From Olympus, and in mood and musical material, Fragment is related to the second movement of that work. This version for marimba and vibraphone was arranged by percussionist Jeremy Fitzsimons.
ONE STUDY ONE SUMMARY – Marimba, Junk Percussion and Digital Audio (PE087) One Study One Summary is a work for solo percussionist and digital audio, having been written for Pedro Carneiro, takes advantage of the performer’s collection of ‘junk percussion.’ As the title suggests, it is cast in two movements, and while the work exhibits the ‘busy’ motoric textures for which Psathas is well-known, reflective, atmospheric textures predominate throughout. This edition features two options for performance: one version with the junk percussion in the Digital Audio part (enabling performers to perform without live junk percussion), and another version without for performers to utilise their own battery of junk percussion. One Study One Summary was commissioned by Pedro Carneiro with funding support from Creative New Zealand.
SLEEPER – SOLO PIANO (PE090) Sleeper was commissioned by the James Wallace Arts Trust for pianist Stephen De Pledge, as part of his programme of works by New Zealand composers, collectively titled ‘Landscape Preludes.’ De Pledge first performed and presented this programme at the New Zealand International Arts Festival on 28 February 2008. The composer writes: Sleeper – noun, person who is asleep, a train carrying sleeping cars, a railroad tie. Sleeper is dedicated to the memory of young Fergus Schulz, an intrepid traveler, still traveling…
John Ritchie PAPANUI ROAD – Orchestra (PME11) Rich with kaleidoscopic images, Papanui Road gives a vivid ‘snapshot’ of bustling central ChristJohn Ritchie PAPANUI ROAD church during the 1950s Orchestra – one that encompasses not only the cityscape but much of the composer’s own experience and spirit. The composer writes: ‘Having lived near Papanui Road for most of my life – having cycled, driven and walked on it, having shopped, eaten and prayed in or on it, I feel at home there. As young people say, it has ‘vibes’ for me. It certainly has memories... This concert overture tries to hint at the bustle, the vitality and the peace of Papanui Road; an impression rather than a picture... For all its pictorialism this concert overture is a serious, even a solemn and nostalgic work. Its aim is to evoke memories and the atmosphere of an important, busy thoroughfare in the composer’s home town.’ MASSEY UNIVERSITY MUSIC EDITION
DIALOGUE – Vibraphone and Marimba (PE083)
The Massey University Music Edition is published by Promethean Editions Limited
Premieres and selected performances 23 July 2008 AUCKLAND TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ John Psathas – A Cool Wind Takács Quartet
5 August 2008 TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC, WALTER HALL, TORONTO, CANADA Christos Hatzis – In the Fire of Conflict Denise Djokic (cello) Ryan Scott (perc)
25 August 2008 ZIVKOVIC INTERNATIONAL SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY, NEUWIED-ENGERS, GERMANY Christos Hatzis – Fertility Rites Christos Hatzis – In the Fire of Conflict Beverley Johnston (percussion)
28 September 2008 AUCKLAND TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ John Psathas – Four Ancient Greek Songs John Psathas – Abhisheka: String Orchestra Auckland Chamber Orchestra Peter Scholes (conductor)
17 October 2008 RYERSON UNITED CHURCH, VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA Christos Hatzis – Everlasting Light Vancouver Cantata Singers Anne-Julie Caron (marimba) Eric Hannan (conductor)
5 November 2008 DEVENTER, NETHERLANDS John Psathas – Kartsigar New Zealand String Quartet
8 November 2008 PASIC, Austin Convention Center, Austin TX, USA John Psathas – One Study One Summary Pedro Carneiro (marimba)
17 November 2008 WEILL RECITAL HALL, CARNEGIE HALL, NEW YORK, NY, USA Gareth Farr – The Horizon from Owhiro Bay Henry Wong Doe (piano)
5 December 2008 CENTRE IN THE SQUARE, KITCHENER, ON, CANADA Christos Hatzis – Rebirth Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Stephen Dann (viola) Joana Carneiro (conductor)
8 January 2009 WALTER HALL, TORONTO, ON, CANADA Christos Hatzis – In the Fire of Conflict: Percussion Quartet TorQ Percussion Ensemble
20 January 2009 ATHENS CONCERT HALL, ATHENS, GREECE Christos Hatzis – Winter Solstice Camerata Orchestra of Athens Constantinos Siskos (horn) Alexander Myrat (conductor)
24 January 2009 VILNIUS CONGRESS HALL, VILNIUS, LITHUANIA John Psathas – Psyzygysm Giunter Percussion
6 February 2009 ADAM CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL, ST. JOHN’S METHODIST CHURCH, NELSON, NZ Gareth Farr & Richard Nunns – He Poroporoaki New Zealand String Quartet Richard Nunns (taonga puoro)
14 –21 March 2009 CAPITAL E NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL, THE OPERA HOUSE, WELLINGTON, NZ Gareth Farr – Kia Ora Khalid Dave Armstrong (writer) Sara Brodie (director)
16 March 2009 AUCKLAND FESTIVAL, BAPTIST TABERNACLE, AUCKLAND, NZ Gareth Farr – Kembang Suling Bridget Douglas (flute) Jeremy Fitzsimons (marimba)
20 March 2009 ROUNDHOUSE THEATRE, YALETOWN, VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA Gareth Farr – Pagan Prayer Kokoro Dance Evan Mitchell (conductor) Vivian Houle (soprano)
26 March 2009 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER, NZ John Psathas – Olympiad XXVIII New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Pietari Inkenen (conductor)
27 March 2009 TENRI CULTURAL INSTITUTE, NEW YORK, NY, USA John Psathas – Mal Occhio Flexible Music
3 April 2009 CITY RECITAL HALL ANGEL PLACE, SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA John Psathas – Stream 3 Modern Music Ensemble Daryl Pratt (director)
28 April 2009 SICHUAN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, CHENGDU SICHUAN, CHINA John Psathas – Helix NZTrio
30 May 2009 BANG, CRASH, SPLASH, PERCUSSION MARATHON, PORTUGAL Gareth Farr – Dialogue Gareth Farr – Tangaroa John Psathas – Ukiyo Pedro Carneiro (percussion) Jeremy Fitzsimons (percussion)
30 June 2009 ZELTSMAN MARIMBA FESTIVAL 2009, HARPER HALL, APPLETON, WI, USA Christos Hatzis – In the Fire of Conflict: Solo Percussion Beverley Johnston (percussion)
30 July 2009 GUITING FESTIVAL 2009, GUITING POWER VILLAGE HALL, GUITING POWER, UK John Psathas – One Study One Summary Simone Rebello (percussion)
31 July 2009 WALTER HALL, TORONTO, ON, CANADA Christos Hatzis – String Quartet No. 2, The Gathering Penderecki String Quartet
8 August 2009 CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL IN THE SQUARE, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ Gareth Farr – Illumina The Jubilate Singers Grant Hutchinson (director) Helen Charlton (soprano)
6 September 2009 LA FETE DE LA MUSIQUE AT TREMBLANT, DOWNTOWN MONT-TREMBLANT, QUEBEC, CANADA Christos Hatzis – Arabesque Angèle Dubeau (violin) La Pièta
9 September 2009 WESTMINSTER CHURCH, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA Christos Hatzis – Mirage? Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Dame Evelyn Glennie (percussion) Anne Manson (conductor)
14 October 2009 HENRY H STAMBAUGH AUDITORIUM, YOUNGSTOWN, OH, USA Christos Hatzis – Redemption: Book 1 Pacifica Quartet CityMusic Cleveland David Allan Miller (conductor)
31 October 2009 ELDER HALL, ADELAIDE, SA, AUSTRALIA John Psathas – Olympiad XXVIII Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra Keith Crellin (conductor)
27 & 29 November 2009 OPERA BERLIOZ, MONTPELLIER, FRANCE Christos Hatzis – Telluric Dances Gilles Loulier (oboe soloist) Orchestre National de Montpellier Lawrence Foster (conductor)
Photographs, clockwise (overleaf): Christos Hatzis dawns his new ‘Aussie’ hat • Martyn Wood from Kia Ora Khalid, Gareth Farr’s new children’s opera, March 2009 • Serj Tankian with John Psathas, March 2009 (Photo: Carla Psathas) • Promethean Editions feature in Victorious, Spring 2009, Alumni magazine for Victoria University of Wellington, NZ • Percussionists Lenny Sakofsky, Thomas Guldborg, Larry Reese, Pedro Carneiro, Jeremy Fitzsimons
29 July 2009 SONNTAGSKONZERTE IM SPIEGELSAAL, BERLIN, GERMANY Christos Hatzis – Old Photographs Jung Trio
& Lance Philip after performance of Psyzygysm by John Psathas, Wellington, NZ, June 2008. (Photo: Michael Norris) • Pianist & composer Mike Nock enters Australian Jazz Hall of Fame, Melbourne, Australia, April 2009 (Photo: Timothy Bateson)
Photo Album
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