Gem was commissioned by pianist Nicola Melville, in memory of her teacher Judith Clark. This mysterious work is a contemplative rubato journey, predominantly along the black keys of the piano. Short flourishes of notes reach into the instrument's upper register, releasing notes in delicate droplets, particularly affecting when decorating the work's searching theme. Accelerated ascending runs lead to a climax of tumbling high register figures in contrary motion with the left hand.
Gareth Farr is an indisputably colourful figure in New Zealand music. And whether scored for percussion duet or the resources of two large orchestras, Farr's music reflects his personality – bold, brash, or delicate and sensuous, but inevitably, immediately, engaging. Rhythmic elements of his compositions can be linked to the complex and exciting rhythms of Rarotongan log drum ensembles, Balinese gamelan and other percussion music of the Pacific Rim. In addition to his music for the concert chamber, Farr has written music for dance, theatre and television.
