New Zealand film opens music festival in Belfast

New Zealand film opens music festival in Belfast 23-Apr-03

http://www.sonorities.org.uk

Michael Heath's award-winning film, A Small Life, will open Ireland's leading contemporary music festival, Sonorities 2003, which is focusing this year on fresh new music from Australasia. With music and songs by David Downes and starring Mahinarangi Tocker, A Small Life screens on 29 April.

The festival's title, You hit him he cry out, is also the title of New Zealand pianist Dan Poynton's award-winning CD on Rattle. Festival chairperson Hilary Bracefield believes the title, which is Pidgin English for piano, is an "intriguing phrase" to showcase music from New Zealand and
Australia.

The week-long event includes a concert and lecture by Dan Poynton featuring New Zealand piano works, some from You hit him he cry out. London-based contemporary ensemble Lontano presents two predominantly New Zealand programmes, including music by Dorothy Ker, James Gardner, Gillian
Whitehead, Annea Lockwood, Jenny McLeod and Jeroen Speak.

Gareth Farr's Naga Baba features in a BBC Ulster Orchestra concert; the Queen's Consort is singing pieces by Jenny McLeod, Richard Puanaki, Te Wehi Whanau and Gillian Whitehead; Eve de Castro Robinson's Marimbulations 1 and 4 are being played by percussionist Neil Foster; and two works by Denis Smalley will be heard in an electroacoustic concert.

The festival closes with another New Zealand film: Christine Jeffs' Rain, scored by Neil Finn.

For further information on Sonorities 2003 please click on the link above.

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