30 Nov 2019

Ko Tō Manawa, Ko Tōku Puritia

From Music Alive, 8:00 pm on 30 November 2019

Ko Tō Manawa, Ko Tōku Puritia - Your Heart is My Heart: Take Hold

Taonga pūoro specialist Rob Thorne was attracted through post-rock affinities, to work with guitarist Tristan Dingemans (High Dependency Unit, Kahu). Discovering HDU's song 'Hold On', he says, he was excited by its simplicity, beauty and power and enticed by the idea of introducing a whole audience of intelligent music lovers to a synergistic musical realm that they likely didn't know about - this is Postrock 101: cinematic layered narrative. 

Rob Thorne & Orchestra Wellington

Rob Thorne & Orchestra Wellington Photo: Screengrab SOUNZ

As the orchestration by Thomas Goss grew, Thorne says he could hear whispers of Lilburn.

'Hold On' encourages us toward togetherness, a way of expressing what he believes we need as a nation in these complicated potentially divisive times. - that we reach for each other, and hold close what is dear to the other, as if it is ours. 

"When I believe your heart is mine and I take hold of this, I begin to care deeply for the differences in you."

Tristan Dingemans & Orchestra Wellington

Tristan Dingemans & Orchestra Wellington Photo: Screengrab SOUNZ

This work was commissioned during Rob Thorne's time as NZSM Composer-in-Residence 2017-18.

Orchestra Wellington playing Ko Tō Manawa, Ko Tōku: Puritia

Orchestra Wellington playing Ko Tō Manawa, Ko Tōku: Puritia Photo: Screengrab SOUNZ

Recorded 30 November 2019, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert

Producer: David McCaw

Engineer: Darryl Stack

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