Matariki

For marimba and violin [15’].

Commissioned by the Chamber Music New Zealand Trust. Performed by Ensemble Gô.

Programme Note

Matariki explores the unique role and significance of each star within a Māori understanding of cosmology, as outlined by Rangi Matamua in the book ‘Matariki – The Star of the Year’. The work comprises nine movements, representing each of the stars in the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster.

1. Waipunarangi: Water that pools in the sky

2. Hiwa-i-te-rangi: Connected to the promise of a prosperous season. Dreams and desires for the year are sent to Hiwa in the hope that they would be realised

3. Waitā: The ocean and the many kinds of food gathered from the sea

4. Waitī: Fresh water and the creatures that live within rivers, streams & lakes

5. Pōhutukawa: Spirits travel along Te Ara Wairua, the pathway of spirits: a rocky ledge towards the ocean where an ancient pōhutukawa tree stands, before descending down the root of this tree and disappearing into the underworld

6. Ururangi: The winds of the sky

7. Matariki: The health and wellbeing of people. Mother of the interstellar children of the Matariki star cluster

8. Tupuānuku: To grow in the earth. Soil, harvest, food. Lifting of the crops begins when Matariki sets

9. Tupuārangi: Food that comes from the sky. Harvesting of birds (particularly kererū), fruits & berries

This work is the result of the composer winning the inaugural Chamber Music New Zealand Commission Prize. The composer expresses her gratitude to Chamber Music New Zealand, and performers Monique Lapins and Naoto Segawa for their supportive collaboration during the compositional process.

Media

Recording by Radio New Zealand.