The Nor’west Arch for Orchestra (Preview)
Gareth Farr | for Orchestra
Gareth Farr | for Orchestra
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GARETH FARR<br />
<strong>The</strong> Nor'west <strong>Arch</strong><br />
<strong>Orchestra</strong><br />
Facsimile Study Score<br />
PROMETHEAN EDITIONS<br />
WELLINGTON
GARETH FARR<br />
<strong>The</strong> Nor'west <strong>Arch</strong><br />
<strong>Orchestra</strong><br />
Facsimile Study Score<br />
Score version July 2013<br />
<strong>The</strong> Nor'west <strong>Arch</strong> was commissioned by the Christchurch Arts Festival as a<br />
memorial to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake, February 2011. This<br />
orchestral version was premiered by the Queensland Symphony <strong>Orchestra</strong><br />
at the Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane, Australia on 11 September, 2011, in<br />
remembrance of the victims of the Queensland floods which claimed 38 lives<br />
between December 2010 and January 2011.<br />
This edition is a facsimile of the original score provided by the composer.<br />
PEF/GF/NAO<br />
© 2011 Promethean Editions Limited<br />
PO Box 10-143<br />
Wellington<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
www.prometheaneditions.com<br />
+64 4 473 5033
Programme Notes<br />
Originally conceived of as a work <strong>for</strong> brass band and percussion, <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Nor’west</strong> <strong>Arch</strong> exists here arranged <strong>for</strong> orchestra.<br />
<strong>The</strong> original version was written as a memorial to the victims of the February<br />
Christchurch earthquake, 2011, while the orchestral version was created in<br />
remembrance of the victims of the Queensland floods which claimed 38 lives<br />
between December 2010 and January 2011.<br />
<strong>The</strong> title of this work has multiple meanings. <strong>The</strong> ‘nor’west arch’ is a weather<br />
pattern seen on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, where an arch<br />
of high cirrus cloud appears over the Southern Alps mountain range in an<br />
otherwise clear blue sky. It is accompanied by a strong hot northwesterly<br />
wind known locally as ‘the nor’wester’. This characteristic wind and cloud<br />
combination is uncommon during winter and its increasing frequency usually<br />
heralds the change of season into spring — a time of year synonymous with<br />
renewal of life and feelings of optimism. This feeling of hope and optimism<br />
was major factor in the commissioning of this work — it is intended to both<br />
memorialise the tragedy while also looking to the future as the city rebuilds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ‘arch’ part of the title also alludes to part of the iconic Christchurch<br />
Cathedral that was significantly damaged in the earthquake.
Instrumentation<br />
Piccolo<br />
Flute<br />
Oboe<br />
Cor anglais<br />
2 Clarinets in BÏ<br />
2 Bassoons<br />
4 Horns in F<br />
3 Trumpets in C<br />
2 Trombones<br />
Bass Trombone<br />
Tuba<br />
Timpani<br />
4 Percussion: Bass Drum, Tubular Bells, Glockenspiel, Marimba (4.3-<br />
octave)<br />
Strings<br />
TRANSPOSED SCORE
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