Work
No Riff
for orchestra
Films, Audio & Samples
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About
No Riff received it's one and only public performance in the Wellington Town Hall in 1995, with Michael Houstoun conducting. This performance was later broadcast on Concert FM (now RNZ Concert). The title refers to a 'Riff' – an ostinato played over changing harmonies in jazz and rock music. No Riff therefore should imply there are no riffs in the music however to the contrary, the work is totally based on a riff, which we hear from the start. Therefore the title is misleading and mischievous. I can recall that I was very interested at the time, in creating a piece of orchestral music with a strong clear musical structure. No Riff started as a piece I first performed extensively with my Trio 'Triphonics'. Therefore I knew that the compositional form 'worked well' and this allowed me to focus on creating the orchestration.
Commissioned note
'No Riff' was commissioned by the Wellington Sinfonia (now Vector Wellington Orchestra) with assistance from the Arts Council in 1995.
Performance history
01 Jun 1995: Premiered by the Wellington Sinfonia (now Vector Wellington Orchestra) in the Wellington Town Hall conducted by Michael Houstoun in June 1995
07 Sep 1996: Performed by Wellington Sinfonia (now Vector Wellington Orchestra) conducted by Michael Houstoun at Wellington Town Hall
01 May 2007: 2007 NZSO-SOUNZ Readings 1