He Poroporoake: Saying Goodbye

Before the 2008 Dawn Service Commemoration at Gallipoli, a performance of He Poroporoake (Saying Goodbye), a work co-composed by "Gareth Farr":/contributor/composer/1040 and "Richard Nunns":/contributor/performer/1300 , will help to set a mood of contemplation and reflection for all those present.

The Anzac Commemorative Site, just north of Anzac Cove on North Beach, was dedicated in 2000. It was established after it became evident that the Ari Burnu cemetery could no longer accommodate the growing numbers wishing to attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The Spirit of Place programme seeks to create an ambiance before the period of silence until the Dawn Service starts at the site.

Since 2006, in the lead up to the 100th anniversary in 2015 of the landings at Gallipoli, a Turkish, Australian or New Zealand composer has been invited to contribute a work. In 2006, Turkish Composer Demir Demirkan contributed Hope of Higher Heart. In 2007 Australian Peter Sculthorpe contributed Thoughts of Home.

This year, New Zealand composers "Gareth Farr":/contributor/composer/1040 and "Richard Nunns":/contributor/performer/1300 will collaborate for the third work, He Poroporoake (Saying Goodbye).

"We have composed a deconstructed version of Now is the Hour", Richard confirmed, "but you would have to listen pretty hard to pick that. It will be played by Gareth and myself with taonga puoro and a Turkish string quartet. The scope of the Spirit of Place commission was to provide a five minute work featuring something of our country's spirit. The ten works created over these years will be reworked into a major musical event for the 100th Commemoration in 2015."

He Poroporoake (Saying Goodbye) will be heard in New Zealand as part of the Adam Festival of Chamber Music in Nelson in February 2009.