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Featuring Kiri Te Kanawa, Howard Morrison, Expo Maori Entertainers - Music for the New Zealand pavilion at Expo ’92.
- If This Were Not Now… ;
- Voyages;
- New Zealand Forest Atmosphere;
- Rangi and Papa;
- Pacific Rhythm;
- Aue Te Iwi E/Haeremai;
- E Nga Iwi;
- Ma Wai Ra;
- Te Atairangi Kaahu;
- Pokarekare Ana;
- Tukua Ahau;
- Theatre Three Soundtrack
1.”If This Were Not Now. . . “ (Gray Taylor - Wayne Laird) We are introduced to a fanciful idea: Could a 15th century Spanish voyage have reached Aotearoa/New Zealand - before Abel Tasman? A traditional Maori welcome chant (Karanga) is followed by the sound of the sea breaking on a new shore.
2. “Voyages” (Don McGlashan - Wayne Laird) The music represents the past “voyages” of Polynesians and Europeans to New Zealand, and the present “voyage” of identity as a multicultural Pacific nation. The Maori words are traditional canoeing chants. The English and Spanish words are from “Landfall in Unknown Seas”, written in 1942 by New Zealand’s foremost poet, Allen Curnow. Soprano: Kiri Te Kanawa Orchestra: The New Zealand Symphony Conductor: Janos Furst Choirmaster: Anthony Jennings Haka grouplead by: Temuera Morrison Jig group: “Twisty Willow”
3. “New Zealand Forest Atmosphere” (John Kendrick / Wayne Laird) Separated from a large southern continent which broke up many hundred million of years ago, New Zealand is a setting for completely unique flora and fauna. Thus the bird songs represent in sound both the beauty of the New Zealand forest and New Zealand’s isolation.
4. “Rangi and Papa” (Story: traditional, Music: Wayne Laird) In Maori mythology, the human race issued from the union of Rangi (the sky father), and Papa (the earth mother) Narrator: George Henare Rangi: Temuera Morrison Papa: Donna Grant Tawhirimatea: Anaru Grant Tane-Mahuta: Howard Morrison Jnr. Rehua-Ariki: Justin Mitchell Tumatauenga: Mark Royal Tangaroa: Bart Melhana Koauau (trad Maori flute) Richard Nunns Cultural Directors: Trevor Maxwell, Atareta Maxwell
5. “Pacific Rhythm” (Turepu Turepu) Many Polynesian Pacific Island peoples now live in New Zealand, especially in Auckland, a city sometimes described as the Polynesian capital of the world. They brought with them exciting music and dance, including the eastern Polynesian rhythm music featured here. The members of this Cook Island drum group are from Rarotongan families. They perform, on log and skin drums, rhythms composed by the late Turepu Turepu, noted musician and choreographer. Tracks 6 - 10: Maori action songs and chants: excerpted from the companion disc/tape WAKA MAORI, by the New Zealand Expo Maori Entertainers.
6. Aue E Te Iwi E and Haere Mai (Kingi Tahiwi) (trad.) Composer Kingi Tahiwi calls to all people and nations of the world in "Aue E Te Iwi E", combined with the most ancient Maori welcome of all, the traditional musical greeting "Haere Mai".
7. E Nga Iwi (H. Melbourne - trad.) A South Pacific Festival theme song, lyrics by Hirini Melbourne, affirms an ideal - that peoples of the world foster unity, for progress. new zealand discoveries in music and sound
8. Ma Wai Ra (trad.) An ancient lament, given the unique accompaniment of the koauau (small Maori flute), whose players were envied in ancient times because the sweet sounds they made gave them an advantage in gaining the affections of women. Maori flute: Te Rangihau Gilbert, Soloist: Tihi Puanaki
9. Te Atairangi Kaahu (Cooper / Temaru) Dame Te Atairangi Kaahu became chiefly incumbent of the Maori King movement in 1966. Pou Temara and Te Taite Cooper composed this tribute to one of the great ladies of Maoridom in the 25th year of her reign as Te Arikinui.
10. Pokarekare Ana (P. Tomoana) Probably the most famous Maori love song of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Composed by Paraire Tomoana early in the 20th century and now regarded with the status of a traditional folk song. Soloist: Atareta Maxwell guitar: Trevor Maxwell
11. “Tukua Ahau” (trad. arr. Laird/Kristian/Farrell) This beautiful traditional maori song was chosen for the opening ceremony of the XIV Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990. On that occasion it was performed by one of New Zealand’s favourite entertainers, Howard Morrison, (now Sir Howard). This is a studio version of that performance. English lyrics: Mike Farrell Vocal: Howard Morrison
12. “Theatre 3 Soundtrack” (Wayne Laird / Ben Staples)
New Zealand was first sighted by Europeans when the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman came upon the western shores of these southern islands in 1642. Over 100 years later, in 1769 English navigator Captain James Cook visited New Zealand, charted the coast-line of both islands and claimed the territory for England. Many hundreds of years before this however a bold and proud people of Polynesian origin, the Maori, voyaged across the Pacific Ocean in huge canoes to discover Aotearoa (New Zealand) and to establish settlements here.
The recordings on this CD comprise a montage of discovery sounds and images which are evocative of both the great Maori voyages and the European discoveries - progressing through to the music, sounds and activities of New Zealand today, conveying a little of New Zealand's culture and rich inheritance.
Modern New Zealand as portrayed by the unique film produced for the New Zealand Expo Pavilion (Seville 1992). An energetic, youthful and adventurous country is represented by Wayne Laird and Ben Staples’ exciting rhythm and effects score.
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