25 Jun 2019

DSO marks Matariki with world première

From Upbeat, 1:00 pm on 25 June 2019

Matariki is at the centre of this week’s Dunedin Symphony Orchestra concert, which sees the world première of a new New Zealand work.

‘Tecwyn, Terence and Tom – Celebrating Matariki’ features a new work by Peter Adams. It also marks 150 years of the University of Otago.

Conductor Tecwyn Evans

Conductor Tecwyn Evans Photo: Supplied

Huriawa draws on the history, atmosphere and character of the Karitane Peninsula, 35kms north of Dunedin centre, and just to the south of the Karitane settlement.

Huriawa means ‘turning river’; the Waikouaiti River cuts through the rugged landscape.

The area was the home of a major Māori fortification, established by Kai Tahu chief Te Wera in the late 18th century and it was the place of a six-month siege by Te Wera’s cousin Taoka.

Huriawa Peninsula

Huriawa Peninsula Photo: wikicommons

The piece is being conducted by Tecwyn Evans who studied at Otago University under Peter Adams. It’s the first time Evans has conducted the première of an Adams work.

Evans is pleased that he can work with Adams to bring the piece alive. Evans has read the score, but he’s also been asking a lot of questions. “I like to get inside what they [the composer] is thinking,” he says. “Everyone has a different interpretation. I love having composers around, it’s brilliant.”

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra Photo: Pieter du Plessis

He’s glad he’s been able to return home to conduct the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. “It’s one of my favourite places on the planet. This place gave me a lot and taught me a lot,” he says, “it’s nice to keep that connectedness.”