This set of five waiata (songs or chants in Maori culture) draws inspiration from the natural and spiritual worlds described in the poem Mercy by Greek-Armenian poet Olga Broumas. Like the poem, Adams' work similarly explores themes of love, loss and transcendence. The elegant arching structures and recurring motives derived from a 12-tone row make it a fascinating work for solo flute.
Peter Adams has taught at the University of Otago’s Department of Music since 1990. He has taught theory and analysis, harmony, conducting, and composition. He employs a poly-stylistic language where influences as diverse as jazz, Americana and expressionism are incorporated alongside his own mixed-modal language.
