12 May 2010

Hirini Melbourne, Part 4 - Lost Voices of Taonga Pūoro

From the collecton Hirini Melbourne
Hirini Melbourne

Hirini Melbourne Photo: University of Waikato

 

Dr Hirini Melbourne of Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu was a significant leader in the revival of Māori culture through his waiata and use of taonga pūoro.

The human-like sounds of the taonga püoro reminded Hirini of the voices he heard growing up in Ruatoki, the small rural community on the northern fringes of the Urewera Forest Park.

The break-through came in 1981 when Hirini attended a taonga pūoro wānanga in Te Araroa, organised by Te Puna Waihanga, the Maori Arts organisation.  At the hui, he met Brian Flintoff, who’d been making the instruments, and Richard Nunns, who’d been playing them. It was a serendipitous meeting and Hirini began to learn more about the instruments, including how difficult they are to play.

Having learnt how to play the instruments, Hirini’s collaboration with Richard Nunns and Brian Flintoff enabled him to build on his musical compositions inspired by nature, and introduce the sounds of taonga pūoro to the listening public.

Music Details:

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Improvisation - RNZ

GRINDLAY/ MCNABB       Once were warriors theme – Tangata TANG CD 514

MELBOURNE      Te Pūtorino a Raukatauri, from Te Wao Nui a Tāne – Huia CD 001

MELBOURNE      Te Putorino a Raukatauri, from Forest and Ocean - Viking Sevenseas VPS 496

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Improvisation - RNZ

MELBOURNE      Karanga Weka, from Toiapiapi - Titi Tangiao TT 001

MELBOURNE      Pūrerehua, from Toiapiapi - Titi Tangiao TT 001

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Improvisation - RNZ

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Raureka, from Different Tracks - Rattle RAT D 003

MELBOURNE   Pūrerehua, from Te Ku Te Whe - Rattle RATCD 004

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Raukatauri, from Te Ku Te Whe - Rattle RATCD 004

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Hineruhi, from Te Hekenga-ā-rangi - Rattle RAT 010

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Whanau Marama, from Te Hekenga-ā-rangi - Rattle RAT 010

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    Te Aho Ku, from Te Hekenga-ā-rangi - Rattle RAT 010

MELBOURNE/ NUNNS    E Taku Kuru Pounamu, from Te Hekenga a rangi - Rattle RAT 010

MELBOURNE    Homai o ringa, from Te Ku Te Whe - Rattle RATCD 004