This paper will investigate the two primary flute compositions by New Zealand
composer Gillian Whitehead (b. 1941), who is perhaps the most well-known composer
from that country. This paper focuses on two works: Hine Raukatauri (1999), a piece
for three Western flutes (flute, piccolo, and alto flute) and traditional Maori instruments
(taonga puoro); and Taurangi, (1999) for flute and piano. Both of these works
demonstrate Whitehead's appreciation for and understanding of traditional Maori music
and instruments. The importance of Hine Raukatauri is in the blend between Western
and Maori flutes, and how Whitehead creates a unified sound with very different
instruments. The second work, Taurangi, is for two Western instruments, yet the sounds
that are produced from the flute show a very definite connection with traditional Maori
instruments. Whitehead also uses the piano in unconventional ways, including rolling a
ping pong ball across the strings, inside the piano.
Whitehead's biographical information is presented, including details about her
family background and Maori ancestry, the sites of her musical training, her
compositions, and the most important influences on her work. Much of the information
in the document is based on interviews with the composer and others of her circle.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/20471 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Source Sets | Rice University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | application/pdf |
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