‘Dreams’ by Blair Latham is next in our SOUNZ Films coverage of the 2024 SOUNZ Jazz Recording Project. Blair writes “the melody is meant to pop up out of nowhere various times in a performance and float over the band. The rhythm is a swing 5 that is meant to be relentless but in a soft way.”
It features the composer on tenor sax alongside pianist Leonardo Coghini, Alistair Isdale (bass) and Rick Cranson (drums).
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ.
Film funded by NZ On Air.
Here at SOUNZ we’d like to wish everyone a merry April Fools with this lighthearted new SOUNZ Films release.
Of ‘The Joyous Rug Pull’ composer Blair Latham said “I like the idea that the listener has the chair pulled out from underneath them, a feeling I find disconcerting and intensely enjoyable at the same time.”
It was performed at the SOUNZ Jazz Recording Project | Ngā Hopuranga Puoro Tautito a SOUNZ by Fire Waltz: Blair Latham (tenor saxophone), Leonardo Coghini (piano), Alistair Isdale (bass), and Rick Cranson (drums).
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ.
Film funded by NZ On Air.
We’re pumped to release films from the SOUNZ Jazz Recording Project | Ngā Hopuranga Puoro Tautito a SOUNZ this week! In December 2024, saxophonist Blair Latham and his quartet Fire Waltz - Leonardo Coghini (piano), Alistair Isdale (bass), and Rick Cranson (drums) - laid down four new tracks at the Massey Recording Studios with the expert audio engineering ears of Phil Brownlee.
During the week we’ll be bringing you each track, and in the meantime, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel so that you never miss a SOUNZ Films release!
Films funded by NZ On Air
As Japan approaches its famous cherry blossom season we pay a quick visit to a gorgeous work by Salina Fisher, ‘Mono no aware’ (物の哀れ). The title is a Japanese concept around the transience of existence, and the beauty of cherry blossoms are a common example of this - their appeal is heightened by an awareness of their fragility and impermanence. Violinist Mark Menzies and pianist Michael Endres perform Salina’s work at St Andrew’s on The Terrace in this new release from SOUNZ Films.
Audio recorded by RNZ Concert
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Film funded by NZ On Air
Gillian Whitehead wrote the work ‘Almost an Island’ as a wedding present for her neighbours at the time. In this recording, soprano Barbara Paterson and pianist Gabriela Glapska bring Gillian’s work to life - through an evocative set of haiku by poets from the Otago Peninsula area, including Gillian herself.
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Film funded by NZ On Air
You’re going to love ‘If I Could Land’ by Salina Fisher - a setting of a poem by contemporary NZ poet, Sarah Broom. Sung here by soprano Barbara Paterson with Gabriela Glapska on piano, it features soaring melodies and lush piano harmonies.
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Film funded by NZ On Air
Our latest SOUNZ Film ‘Of Trees and Hope’ takes us into a delicate and searching soundscape. Written by Rosa Elliott and performed by Barbara Paterson (soprano) and Gabriela Glapska (piano), this work features the words of poet Dinah Hawken, who tells of the lessons to be learned in the rings of ancient trees.
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Film funded by NZ On Air
We’re excited to present some powerhouse wahine from Aotearoa in SOUNZ Films this week: works by Rosa Elliott, Salina Fisher, and Gillian Whitehead, performed by soprano Barbara Paterson and pianist Gabriela Glapska at Wellington’s St Andrew’s on The Terrace. Stay tuned for live recordings of each work in the coming days - here’s a sneak preview of the beauty to come!
Thanks as always to our funders NZ On Air. Audio for this concert was recorded by Phil Brownlee.
We wrap up our SOUNZ Films coverage of the complete performances of works contained in the violin and cello volumes of Trickier Tunes for Tamariki, publications of Wellington Branch IRMT LearnMusicNZ of music for players at the grades 3 to 5 level. In this set you will hear the following works:
- Te Tūī i te Harakeke, by Susan Melville and Jill Stevenson
- Pīwakawaka, by Craig Utting
- Village Dance, by Colin Decio
- Blue Gumboots, by Oliver Hancock
Trickier Tunes for Tamariki is available for sale from SOUNZ, a must-have for all music teachers.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee
Film funded by NZ On Air
In this penultimate set of films of works from Wellington Branch IRMT’s LearnMusicNZ publication Trickier Tunes for Tamariki we hear Skipping by David Woodcock, Room 2 Rag by James Instone, Lost and Found by David Woodcock and Monument by Craig Utting, performed by young Wellington musicians at St Andrew’s on The Terrace.
You can purchase Trickier Tunes for Tamariki (in volumes for violin and cello) from SOUNZ - essential scores for students working at grades 3-5!
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee
Film funded by NZ On Air
A third set of performances from the concert celebrating the release of Wellington Branch IRMT’s LearnMusicNZ publications Trickier Tunes for Tamariki saw the premieres of these works:
- Citric Bells, by John Elmsly
- The Mist and the Sea, by YuYang Ding
- Anawhata, by Daniel O’Connor
- Cat Fight, by Adam Whiskin
The two volumes of Trickier Tunes for Tamariki are available for sale through SOUNZ.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Audio was recorded by Phil Brownlee at St Andrew’s On The Terrace
Film funded by NZ On Air
In set two of our SOUNZ Films coverage of music from the violin and cello volumes of Wellington Branch IRMT’s LearnMusicNZ publication Trickier Tunes for Tamariki we hear premiere performances of the following works:
- Te Ika ā Maunga Kōroto, by Susan Melville and Jill Stevenson
- Gavotte, by David Woodcock
- Autumn Reverie, by David Woodcock
- Karekare, by Daniel O’Connor
- Passacaglia, by Craig Utting
- Cheerful Thoughts, by David Woodcock
Trickier Tunes for Tamariki is available for sale through SOUNZ.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ
Audio recorded by Phil Brownlee
Film funded by NZ On Air
SOUNZ Toi te Arapūoru champions the music of Aotearoa New Zealand. SOUNZ is governed by a volunteer board of trustees who meet four times a year in Wellington.
