Written to commemorate the 250th anniversary in 2019 of Captain James Cook's arrival in New Zealand.
Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Auckland Town Hall, 29 June 2018.
Captain James Cook painted at the age of 50 by Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1776) Photo: Public domain
This is a new piece, and it was commissioned by the NZSO to commemorate the 250th anniversary in 2019 of Captain James Cook’s arrival in New Zealand, and his encounters with Māori.
It’s inspired by Governor William Hobson's greeting to the Māori chiefs as they came forward to sign the Treaty of Waitangi - “He iwi tahi tātou” – “we are all one people”.
Gareth Farr says of his new piece: "It’s my reaction as a composer to the vibrant culture that we live in – the good and bad, the ups and downs. It’s about the unique cultural energy that makes this country what it is – and of course, my belief in the words 'He iwi tahi tātou'.
“In [the] 250 years [since Captain Cook’s landing in New Zealand], we have grown as a nation, where two very different cultures have, over time, come together – not just through obligation – but by a gradual understanding of each other, to embrace, mix and bind, despite tensions and difficulties along the way”.
Recorded: Auckland Town Hall, 29 June 2018
Producer: Tim Dodd
Engineer: Adrian Hollay
