Gareth Farr

Full biography Gareth Farr

Gareth Farr is a renowned New Zealand-born composer and percussionist. He was born on February 29, 1968, and has made significant contributions to the classical music genre. Farr has released several classical CDs and has been commissioned by various organizations to write music for performances. He has also won several awards, including multiple Chapman Tripp awards and the New Zealand Arts Laureate.

Farr's musical style is heavily influenced by the Pacific-rim , including Cook Island drumming and Gamelan. He is known for creating percussive and driving music that blends traditional and contemporary elements. Farr has been the Composer-In-Residence for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and has had his works premiered by various renowned orchestras.

One of Farr's recent projects is his composition "Ng Hihi o Matariki," which premiered in 2021. Before the premiere, Farr explained that the movements in the piece are based on the seven stars of the Matariki constellation, and the mood of each star guided him in writing that particular movement.

In addition to his musical contributions, Farr has also been involved in several social initiatives. For instance, he actively supports Gay Auckland Business Association and is involved in the Rainbow Youth organization.

Overall, Gareth Farr is a highly regarded composer in New Zealand's classical music scene, known for his inventive and percussive music whose innovations reflecting his diverse cultural influences.