A quintessential John Ritchie work, the Partita (1967) is perfect for brass ensembles looking to incorporate elements of folk-song into their repertoire. The Partita is comprised of four short movements, with the flourish of the first, the country-dance feel of the second, the nostalgic wistfulness of the third, and the thrusting rhythm of the finale designed to achieve a vernacular elation in tone. The Partita is composed with a clean ear and a fresh eye, its mood as heady as apple cider.
John Ritchie was one of New Zealand’s senior composers. Throughout a long composing career, he elected to write in an accessible and traditional manner, often in stark contrast to much of the work being produced by his contemporaries in the style of the European avant garde. He created a body of work which, while less well-known than it deserves to be, is loved and enjoyed by performers and audiences alike for its deft craftsmanship and pleasing melodic grace.
