Te Ao Hou - This New World
A programme that explores the synergies between taonga pūoro and western string instruments.
Rob Thorne (taonga pūoro) & New Zealand String Quartet at 2018 NZ Festival
Te Ao Hou Photo: RNZ/David McCaw
Traditional Māori instruments - taonga pūoro or 'singing treasures' experienced a revival in the late 20th century thanks to the work of Richard Nunns, Hirini Melbourne and others. These instruments made of stone, wood, shell and bone produce sounds that are evocative of, and unique to, Aotearoa NZ.
Te Ao Hou – ‘This New World’ brings together leading taonga pūoro player Rob Thorne and the New Zealand String Quartet. Together they explore the synergies between taonga pūoro and western string instruments.
Included in the programme are:
Poem: Te Ao Hou - by Vincent Olsen-Reeder, read by Christine Argyle & Rob Thorne
Rob THORNE: Improvisations for taonga pūoro;
Salina FISHER: Tōrino - echoes on pūtōrino improvisations by Rob Thorne;
Rob THORNE: Tomokanga (première);
Gillian WHITEHEAD: Poroporoaki;
Gareth FARR: He Poroporoaki;
Gillian WHITEHEAD: Puhake ki te rangi
Recorded at NZ Festival on 6 March 2018, St Mary of the Angels, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Darryl Stack
