A Song of Islands
by Douglas Lilburn
FormTone poem
ComposedChristchurch, 1946
ScoringOrchestra

A Song of Islands is a tone poem (described by the composer as a song)[1] written for orchestra by New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn in 1946. The work is the last in a trilogy of pieces exploring the theme of New Zealand identity; it was preceded by the overture Aotearoa (1940) and Landfall in Unknown Seas (1942) for narrator and string orchestra.[2]

History and music

Lilburn described the song as featuring "a chorale-like theme" that develops into an "arch-like form".[1]

The piece has been recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under Sir William Southgate.[3][4] A Naxos recording by James Judd with the NZSO was issued in August 2006; it also includes Lilburn's Aotearoa Overture, Forest, A Birthday Offering, Drysdale Overture, Festival Overture and Processional Fanfare.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "LILBURN: A Song Of Islands". Radio New Zealand. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Landfall in unknown seas". Te Ara – The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  3. ↑ "A Song of Islands". SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music Trust. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "A Song of Islands". Amazon. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "LILBURN: Orchestral Works - 8.557697". Naxos Records. Retrieved 17 November 2020.


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