Short bio Gillian Whitehead
Full biography Gillian Whitehead
Gillian Karawe Whitehead is a New Zealand composer, born on April 23, 1941. She is of Mori Ngi Te Rangi descent , and her Mori heritage has played a significant role in her music. Whitehead's music weaves together her cultural heritage with contemporary composition techniques, resulting in a unique and distinctive style.
Over the years, Whitehead has received numerous commissions and honors for her work. She has been the recipient of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Award, the New Zealand Order of Merit, and the Lilburn Trust Citation for Services to New Zealand Music.
A significant portion of Whitehead's work has been commissioned by various orchestras and ensembles, both in New Zealand and abroad. Her music has been performed by groups such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble, among others.
Whitehead has also held several residencies throughout her career, including the 2005-2006 CNZ/NZSM composer-in-residency, the 2013 residency at the Pah Homestead, and the 2016 Creative New Zealand Berlin Visual Arts Residency. These residencies have provided her with the time and space to focus on her music and to explore new ideas and techniques.
One of Whitehead's most recent works is Tai timu, tai pari , a violin concerto commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and dedicated to Andrew Beer. The piece was written in the wake of the first wave of COVID-19 and was inspired by the Otago Peninsula.
Overall , Whitehead is regarded as one of the most important composers in Australasia , and her unique musical voice has inspired many other composers and performers. Her work continues to be celebrated both in New Zealand and around the world.
Compositions featuring Gillian Whitehead
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | the river flows on..., for voices, piano trio, tro & Cambodian wind instruments | 24:39 min | Vocal Music | 2011 |
| 2 | Karohirohi, for harp & chamber orchestra | 13:31 min | Concerto | 2006 |
| 3 | Alice, a monodrama for mezzo-soprano & orchestra | 37:37 min | Vocal Music | 2002 |
| 4 | ...the improbable ordered dance..., for orchestra | 20:54 min | Orchestral | 2001 |
| 5 | The Journey of Matuku Moana, for cello | 16:06 min | Chamber Music | 1993 |
| 6 | Ahotu (O Matenga), for chamber ensemble | 18:45 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 7 | Arapatiki, for piano | 5:30 min | Keyboard | - |
| 8 | Camelot, for voice, bassoon & piano | 25:37 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 9 | Hine te Kakara, for taonga puoro, voice, flutes, cello & bassoon | 14:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 10 | Hineputehue, for taonga puoro & string quartet | 18:36 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Hineraukatauri, for taonga puoro, putorino & flute | 11:08 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 12 | Hinetekakara, for voice, taonga puoro & ensembe | 15:07 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 13 | Nga Ha O Nehera, for bassoon | 14:32 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 14 | Puhake ki te rangi, for taonga puoro & string quartet | 15:57 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 15 | Three Windows on the Weather, for poet, bassoon & piano | 7:46 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 16 | Torua, for violin & piano | 4:13 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Gillian Whitehead
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Gillian Whitehead, Stamic Quartet, Jindřich Pazdera, Vilém Veverka, Patricia Goodson – Shadows Crossing Water(CD, ) | 2018 | Rattle Records |
| 2 |  |
Arapātiki(CD, Album) | 2012 | Atoll |
| 3 |  |
Gillian Whitehead, Richard Nunns, Alexa Still, New Zealand String Quartet, Tuhonohono – Puhake Ki Te Rangi(CD, Album) | 2007 | Atoll |
| 4 |  |
Gillian Whitehead, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Marc Taddei – Alice(CD, Album) | 2003 | Atoll |
| 5 |  |
The Waiteata Collection Of New Zealand Music Volume III- Composer Portrait: Gillian Whitehead(CD, Compilation) | 2000 | Waiteata Music Press |
| 6 |  |
Outrageous Fortune(2×CD, ) | 1998 | Otago Commemorative Trust |
| 7 |  |
Gillian Whitehead, Tungia Baker, Richard Nunns, Judy Bailey, Georg Pedersen – IPU(CD, ) | 1998 | Rattle Records |
| 8 |  |
NZTrio, Bright Sheng, Ross Edwards, Toru Takemitsu, Gillian Whitehead – Bright Tide Moving Between(CD, ) | - | Rattle Records |
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