Rangatuone - weaving gestures - Riki Pirihi

Rangatuone (the weaving of gestures) is a conducting practice that indigenises Lawrence D. “Butch” Morris’ Conduction methodology with ngā taonga puoro praxis. The purpose of this work has been to provide a compositional tool for taonga puoro practitioners and to nourish the collective imagination by utilising a vocabulary of hand gestures and signs that symbolise music notation. Rangatuone has been developed over the past 4 years through a series of wānanga (workshops) and performances with Te Ātea Nui Taonga Puoro Orchestra, Ngā Tuone Conduction Ensemble, Vitamin S, and the Rangatuone Ensemble.

Heidi Brickell (Te Hika o Papauma, Rangitāne, Ngāi Tara, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Apakura) has painted all 20 of the conducting directives that complete the first edition of the book, Rangatuone. Here are some examples of the directives and the images that relate to them.

Oro Tongi – Single Hits

Oro Tongi functions as a rhythmic pattern creation tool. Tapping out the desired rhythm informs the players of the intended rhythmic phrase. It also works for singular hits or stabs. The creation of this directive has been inspired by the use of hand punctuations over the mouthpiece of the pūtōrino to create a short percussive air texture.

Ngaru Tītaha – Panning

Ngaru Tītaha enables the conductor to scan across the ensemble from side to side or front to back. The players only engage when the hand passes their eyeline.

Tere – Tempo

Tere indicates tempo. Bringing the hands closer together indicates slowing and separating them is faster.

Ka nui te mihi

Recorded at Loons on the 15th of October as a part of the Now!Here!This! festival in Ōtautahi.
Recording Engineer: Matthew Gunn
FOH Engineer: Bernard Gruschow

Paintings by Heidi Brickell

Music performed by:
Heather Webb (electric guitar), Jenny Ward (voice), Nicole Reddington (violin), Gemma Syme (cello), Peter Wright (electric guitar), Sum Suraweera (percussion), Reece McNaughton and Alva (percussion), Jonny Marks (voice), Jake Kīanō Skinner (pūtōrino, kōauau), Noel Meek (plastic trumpet), Emma Bernard (electronics, samples), Luke Shaw (guitar),

Riki Pirihi (conductor)