Anthony Ritchie: Angels Flow“When I wrote
Angels Flow for Helen Webby, I imagined a parallel between the sound
of harp music and the movement of spirits, or angels. In some
cultures, such as Maori culture, the sounds produced by instruments
have spiritual properties. I would like to believe music taps into a
part of the mind that transcends the here and now, and puts us in
touch with imaginary, spiritual worlds. In this piece the flowing
movements of the angels are unpredictable, capricious and playful.
The gradual modal changes through the piece find rest at the end, as
the music finally descends into the lower register of the harp.” Anthony Ritchie is one of New
Zealand’s foremost composers, with over 160 works. 11 CDs of his
music have been released, most recently A Bugle Will Do (2012)
recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. His work is
increasingly played overseas, with recent performances by The Swedish
Chamber Orchestra and the choir Aquarius, from Belgium. Anthony is
Associate Professor in the Music Department at the University of
Otago, Dunedin. |
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