Participanting

NZ Composer

Short Biographies

&

Programme Notes

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Andrew Perkins

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ANDREW PERKINS was born in Warkworth, New Zealand. 1992 he was appointed Auckland Philharmonia’s third Composer In Residence, writing for them. Andrew completed his PhD Music at Melbourne University, graduating in 2013. He now resides in Dunedin, NZ. Andrew has had a number of significant works recorded and performed in New Zealand and internationally, Symphony Der Bote for mezzo soprano and orchestra, Waltz-Fantasia for orchestra (2012), Vespers for Pentecost for soprano, choir, tambura, and orchestra (2012), The Radish and the Shoe for narrator and orchestra, Three Spanish Songs for mezzo and orchestra, and Concerto Grosso for flute, harpsichord and strings (2015). 

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Andrew Perkins – Three Katherine Mansfield Songs
1 - Very Early Spring
2 - The Gulf
3 - The Earth-child in the Grass

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I have chosen three poems by Katherine Mansfield that make use of the imagery of nature. These works offer readers, and now listeners, insight into the complex nature of her relationships with men and women. Although each song is based on a different scalar formation, the scales share common characteristics. Similar melodic shapes and intervals also help to unify the three songs. In Very Early Spring, Mansfield personifies the sun as a male figure, and the wind as female, interacting but remaining separate. The song is full of contrasting musical gestures – some strong and cool, and others delicate and warm. In The Gulf, the lovers are separated by a gulf, but no mention is made of the identity of the two. The idea of bridging the gulf is usually viewed as a metaphor for Mansfield’s constant searching for fulfilment. The gulf is represented in the music through the extreme registers in the piano and vocal part, and between voice and piano. An ever-shifting ostinato creates an air of tension in the music throughout the song. In The Earth-child in the Grass, the lovers are represented by the counterpoint between the voice and piano part. The sensuous use of metaphor in the poetry, such as the green blades of grass, the move from coldness to warmth, and from weeping to laughter is likewise reflected in the music. I have added another impersonal witness to this natural scene in the form of a bird whose song can be heard in the piano part.

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Anthony Ritchie

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Anthony Ritchie – Exquisite Spirit

1 - To L.H.B.

2 - The Sea-Child

3 - Loneliness

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ANTHONY RITCHIE is a renowned composer whose works have been performed by ensembles such as The Takacs Quartet, and soloists such as Bella Hristhova. His many commissioned works include concertos for piano, violin, viola, flute, guitar and euphonium, six symphonies, six operas and chamber music. In 2016 he was joint winner of The NZ Classical Album of the Year. His Symphony No.5 ‘Childhood’ was rated one of the recordings of the year by MusicWeb International, 2022. Anthony is currently Professor of Music at The University of Otago in Dunedin, and Head of the School of Performing Arts.

 

Exquisite Spirit comprise three songs for mezzo soprano and piano, based on poems by famous New Zealand writer, Katherine Mansfield. The songs are To L.H.B. (1894-1915), The Sea-Child, and Loneliness, and are symbolic evocations of Mansfield’s own life experiences. The first song is about her brother who died in World War I, and the longing to be reunited. Some fo the tragic darkness in Mansfield’s life is captured in the music of these songs.

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7. Thomas Goss: Across the Red Sky

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8. Janet Jennings: TBC

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9. David Hamilton: TBC

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10. Nigel Keay: Voices of the Air

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11. Juliet Palmer: TBC

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12. Ross Carey: Sea Song / There is a Solemn Wind Tonight  
 

13. Kenneth Young: TBC

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14. Michael Norris: TBC

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15. Ben Fernandez: TBC

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16. Gao Ping: TBC

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