Work
E Ka Tanuku
Te Reo Māori for two pianos and voice
About
E Ka Tanuku is dedicated to my great-great-grandfather Kepa Hamuera Anaha Ehau, who joined the Second Maori Contingent in 1915 to assist the Allies during World War I. He and his platoon travelled a lot, from Egypt to France, where Kepa and his group were attacked by shellfire from the Germans. Kepa was only wounded in his legs, but lost two of his friends right before his eyes. Years after the war his legs were amputated, due to complications. This piece is a retelling of his story in a musical form. The phrase 'E Ka Tanuku' is from one of Kepa’s favourite pohuatau (speech opening), which he would say at a tangihanga (funeral).
Commissioned note
Winner of the Llewelyn Jones Piano Composition Competition 2018.
Dedication note
Dedicated to the composer's great-great-grandfather Kepa Hamuera Anaha Ehau.
Text note
Text in te reo, written by the composer.