Flying mallets bring musical masterpiece to Hamilton

Yoshiko Tsuruta will be performing the world premiere of Gareth Farr's marimba concerto on her 3m-long instrument which is played using four mallets. Photo / Supplied

What will four flying mallets, one brilliant operator, 69 wooden bars and a world-first set of instructions produce? A musical masterpiece of course — one that is just as fascinating to watch as it is to listen to.

The wooden bars, when struck by the mallets, produce the mesmerising sound of the marimba. Yoshiko Tsuruta, who lives in Tauranga, will be performing the world premiere of New Zealand composer Gareth Farr's marimba concerto, with Opus Orchestra in their final concert series for 2018, Ahead of the Game.

Tsuruta began learning the marimba in Japan at age 9. She relocated to New Zealand in 2004, and completed her master's degree at the Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität in Linz, Austria, in 2014.

Marimba performances are truly captivating. Two mallets are held in each hand, and the player must manoeuvre around the instrument, demanding impressive footwork as well as precise co-ordination.

Tsuruta says: "I am very excited to play this concerto by Gareth Farr — I've always enjoyed both playing and listening to his music! The work demands immediate attention with its rhythmic energy, and there will be plenty of visual intrigue as the music has been specifically written for the extended range of my marimba."

'Extended range' refers to her 3m-long instrument.

Gareth Farr is a multi-award-winning composer. In 1993, at the age of 25, he was the youngest composer to be appointed composer-in-residence by Chamber Music New Zealand.

His music has been heard and/or commissioned for many high-profile events, including the opening of Te Papa, the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup 2011. Farr also writes for dance, theatre, television and film.

The world's premier solo percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, has commissioned music from Farr and considers him "an outstanding composer". She looks forward to presenting the northern hemisphere performance of Farr's new work.

Enjoy the Hamilton Opus performance on Friday, September 28, 7.30pm, at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts. For ticketing information visit www.orchestras.org.nz. School-age children are free. Door sales available.