Onslaught was commissioned by the New Zealand Army Band to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli, which took place during World War I in what is now Turkey. Farr portrays the intensity and chaos of battle with thunderous percussion, syncopated chordal stabs, and unpredictable bursts of sound. Occasionally the momentum gives way to more subtle passages that range from reflective to ominous, making Onslaught an evocative addition to brass band repertoire, enhanced by additional percussion.
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.
