An enlightening undertaking for recorder trios wanting to add a touch of exoticism to their repertoire, Lima Lagu was written when Farr was discovering the world of Indonesian gamelan, the traditional percussion orchestra of Indonesia. Farr explores the scales and melodies of Java, combined with the rhythms and techniques of Bali across five short movements.
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.
