Dame Gillian Whitehead Photo: Gareth Watkins / Lilburn Trust / Wallace Arts Trust
Mata-au is the original name of the Clutha river, which I see from my window in the Henderson house, built by the Austrian architect Ernst Plischke where, courtesy of the Henderson Arts Trust, I was artist-in-residence.
'Mata-au' refers to the river's characteristic whirlpools, caused by layered currents flowing at different speeds, which resemble the wake of a giant waka, and the piece has its origins in Māori chant.
It was commissioned by Robert Carew for clarinetist Anna McGregor and dedicated to Scilla Askew in recognition of her work for New Zealand music.
Recorded on 16 March 2010 by RNZ Concert
