Composer and Co-creatives: Jeremy Mayall and Horomona Horo
Storyteller and Taonga Puoro: Horomona Horo
Conductor: Rupert D’Cruze
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts
Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra’s performance of ‘Stories of Our Place - Ō tātou wāhi mana; ā tātou korero’ was a magnificent way to wrap up a weekend of musical events hosted by Orchestras Central.
Horomona Horo narrated three stories – Ranginui and Papatuanuku (The Creation myth), Te Ika a Maui (The Fish of Maui), and Te Awa I Tahuti (The River Which Ran Away).
Throughout the concert, Horo played an array of Taonga Puoro, traditional Maori instruments. Some such as a pounamu gong added a moment of enchantment. Horo explained the importance of others – one as the embodiment of the female form, another was the instrument representing love. Talented wahine toa performed alongside him in the opening and closing waiata.
Jeremy Mayall’s orchestration was sublime. As Horo blew the conch shell at the beginning, the underscoring of the strings offered a stark juxtaposition of tangata whenua and paheka culture. The solemn bass and cello parts alongside the playful flute and magical xylophone were charming in Toia Mai.
Each story included children’s artwork projected onto a large screen. The compositions were colourful, engaging and a brilliant visual addition to the concert.
A highlight was the story of Maui, a favourite trickster of Aotearoa, and particularly Mayall’s orchestral arrangement cleverly building intensity as the fish was being pulled in. This piece had the makings of a movie soundtrack due to its finesse.
Te Awa I Tahuti began with Horo suggesting ways that the audience could recreate the sounds of the Waikato River by rubbing palms together, patting the chest and stomping of feet. This was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience.
D’Cruze proved himself once again to be a professional and versatile conductor, leading the orchestra in his calm and capable manner.
Stories Of Our Place was a particularly special concert. Whether it was because the orchestra members could see their proud loved ones in the audience, the education Horo provided about the Taonga Puoro, the stories, the artwork, Mayall’s orchestration and its splendid performance, the playhouse acoustics or something else, it was difficult to pinpoint. Quite possibly, it was due to all these factors combined.
Although the concert began as an abyss between two cultures, the closing remarks at the conclusion were that together we must remember our stories, respect and take care of the environment. Kia ora.
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