Commissioned by the Jazz Choir of Hamilton's Hillcrest High School, Tangi te Kawekawea (1998) is a setting of a Maori planting spell for SATB choir and three percussionists. This simple and very effective work is a highly enjoyable work suitable for performers of any skill level. It is perfect for choirs looking for a short energetic work that features Te Reo (Maori language) and 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.
