Description

My own composition in the style of Ernst and Paganini – one of my most popular encores

Track Listing

http://media.rachelbartonpine.com/audio/09/RachelBartonPine_God_Defend_New_Zealand_excerpt.mp3
Introduction, Theme, and Variations on “God Defend New Zealand”

About

CACOPHONY RECORDS
INTRODUCTION, THEME, AND VARIATIONS ON “GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND”
RACHEL BARTON PINE, VIOLIN

Recorded July 10, 2002 at WFMT Chicago
Producers: Gregory Pine and Rachel Barton
Engineer: Bill Maylone
Violin: “ex-Soldat” Guarneri Del Gesu, Cremona, 1742
Cover Artwork: Anna Flora Sewell
Photography: Sheri Eisenberg
Graphic Design: Pete Goldlust

Personal Note

I first toured New Zealand as soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in summer 2000. My experiences of the people, culture, landscape, and, of course, the kiwi birds on both islands inspired me to compose this arrangement as a musical tribute. I premiered this piece as an encore to my final performance of the tour, dedicating it to all my friends in New Zealand, especially my colleagues in the NZSO.

Press

REVIEWS OF RACHEL BARTON’S PERFORMANCES OF “GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND”

“A spectacular work full of seemingly impossible technical feats.”
Illinois Times

“Packed with all the showy tricks of the fiddler’s trade, the piece brought to mind the flamboyant piano pieces of Louis Moreau Gottschalk.”
The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Illinois)

“The lovely theme was set in a well-designed two-voice texture throughout. The most striking variation was the second, where the violinist actually plays in two-part imitative counterpoint. She begins the first voice by plucking with her left hand, and the second voice is bowed. The third variation is a big finale with every trick in the book and a cadence long enough to hang laundry on. It was an impressive display.”
The Daily News (South Florida)

“Full of devilish pyrotechnics – skittery bowings and lift-hand pluckings – in the style of Paganini’s spectacular variations on Paisiello’s “Nel cor piu non mi sento.”
Miami Herald

“Paganini – eat your heart out.”
The Evening Post (Wellington, New Zealand)

“Her astonishing, lightning-fast playing of a pizzicato melody with her left hand while bowing a counterpoint with the right, as she did in a wonderful encore she created of New Zealand’s national anthem, was far more than mere mortal violinists would attempt.”
The Knoxville News-Sentinel