Ornithological Anecdotes is an imaginative song cycle in which Farr incorporates thought-provoking poems by New Zealand's greatest living poet, Bill Manhire, to evoke the experiences of four of New Zealand's native birds. An ornamented piano accompaniment complements the lightness in Manhire's portrayal of the fearless Dotterel; an asymmetrical, plodding 5/8 meter punctuates Takahe; sadness permeates the haunting ode to the extinct Huia; while the whimsical Tui embraces a flamboyant display of high-pitched, virtuosic embellishments.
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.
