The theme of Beethoven's Choral Symphony of universal brotherhood has sealed its status as the anthem of choice for major world events and was chosen for the Odes to Joy concert tour of New Zealand as part of the REAL New Zealand Festival, the cultural celebration running alongside the Rugby World Cup 2011 tournament by Jenny Bornholdt.
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.
