The Christchurch
Town Hall organ
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"Pink and White" ~ New Zealand organ music from Martin Setchell on the Christchurch Town Hall Rieger organ, recorded and released in 2005 |
| This piece was inspired by the famous Pink and White Terraces in New Zealand which were destroyed by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886. The Pink and White Terraces were huge naturally occuring staircases, created by deposits of silica in crystallised form over many centuries. People came from all over the world to view the terraces, described as the eighth wonder of the world. According to legend, there was a premonition of the disaster in June, 1886. While travelling across a lake near the terraces, some tourists and their Maori guide saw a mysterious canoe of Maoris nearby. They disappeared and were never seen again, and no reasonable explanation could be given for their existence. However, some local Maori took this 'spirit-canoe' as an omen. They were right. Before dawn the next day, Mt Tarawera erupted for five hours, destoying the Pink and White Terraces and killing 153 people. It was New Zealand's worst volcanic disaster of recorded times. This organ piece attempts to incorporate elements of the story into its musical gestures. The big opening chords describes the might and force of Mt Tarawera. Then follow two quieter ideas, interrelated, which portray the gently bubbling beauty of the 'White Terrace' and then the 'Pink Terrace'. The eruption is heralded by low thundering trills on the pedals and sweeping upward runs on the keyboard. The main theme that follows is toccato-like and conjures up visions of wild panic among the people. This theme reappears on full organ at the climax, and the music gradually subsides. The Tarawera chords from the beginning return like a solemn chorale for the dead, and the music drifts off into the distance, like smoke from the crater. Pink and White was commissioned by Martin Setchell with funding from Creative New Zealand, and was composed especially for the new Christchurch Town Hall Rieger organ. The composer is indebted to Martin Setchell for his advice and help with scoring for the organ. The CD also features music by the father of New Zealand composition, Douglas Lilburn, with his Prelude and Fugue evoking the grandeur of the New Zealand landscape; John Ritchie’s majestic music for the organ’s inauguration; David Farquhar’s finely crafted variations on Vom Himmel hoch; Douglas Mews’ puckish Prelude and Fugue, Tecwyn Evans’ pulsating rhythms in Geräuschvoll; Jack Body’s innovative birdsong of tui, kokako and korimako with organ, and Martin Setchell’s own variations on one of the best-loved Maori melodies, Pokarekare Ana, this is truly a CD that reflects the sounds of New Zealand. |
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More about organist Martin Setchell at www.organist.co.nz “.. he's an outstanding artist and impeccable stylist on the colourful Rieger organ in Christchurch's Town Hall.” “Martin Setchell thoroughly earned his standing ovation on Saturday night . . . here an incredible palette of sound colours was brought forth from the Rieger organ.” “How a mere ten fingers and two feet, along with a lot of Austrian organ-building wizardry, could weave such magic remains quite a mystery. .. Impeccable technique and an intimate understanding of the instrument itself hardly need mentioning.” “In Setchell's hands, the organ achieves a broad spectrum of colour, dynamics and expression” Many thanks to Creative New Zealand for funding help. |
