The Horizon From Owhiro Bay will appeal to pianists keen to build up an eclectic repertoire, as this work integrates Javanese slendro musical systems and stylistic elements associated with the French impressionist composers. Its simple arching structure begins and ends with a repeated two-note motif, which serves as a literal horizon as the pianist performs surrounding ascending and descending figures.

From the Composer

This prelude is a musical representation of the view I see at twilight from my studio on the South Coast of Wellington – the moody dark green depths of Cook Strait, the inky blue sky, and the endless unbroken horizon dividing the two. Fishing boats sit on the horizon all lit up, looking like little gleaming gemstones in the darkness. The occasional gust of wind stirs up wild eddies on the surface of the water, and the odd rogue wave hurls itself onto the rocks and up into the air in a spectacular explosion of sea spray.