Product Description
The original version of E Toro nga Hau: The Three Winds was written for oboe, clarinet and bassoon in 2001 and premiered by the Eastwind Trio dAnches (the faculty reed trio from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with the composer on bassoon) during a tour in New Zealand and Australia in May 2001. The premiere of the version for saxophone trio was performed by members of the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet on February 5, 2008.
E Toro nga Hau: The Three Winds was inspired by the Australasian tour and my return home to New Zealand as a performer. Another inspiration was that my dear Grandmother passed away at the age of 94 in February 2001. Due to this there are elements of sadness and happiness throughout the piece. The bittersweet first movement begins melancholy, with a melody that freely switches between minor and major modes, but ends up with a lively dancing section focusing on happy memories, where the chickens from my grandmothers farm may even be heard. The second movement is lively throughout with extensive use of mixed meter and includes a jazz rock interlude.
While the work does not contain any actual "New Zealand" elements in the music, it was evocative of my time spent there growing up. It is in a style typical of my writing, containing jazzy influences combined with the more traditional. The title is given in Maori (the language of the native Polynesian race in New Zealand) and English and merely relates to the fact that it is written for three woodwind instruments. This work has been performed throughout North America and the South Pacific.
This work also exists in two double reed versions: one for oboe, English horn, and bassoon, and another for oboe and two bassoons.
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