Douglas Lilburn - A Song of Islands

Originally titled ‘Song of the Antipodes’, Douglas Lilburn’s ‘A Song of Islands’ was premiered by the National Orchestra in Wellington in August 1947. Lilburn considered the work the third in a three-fold statement, preceded by ‘Overture: Aotearoa’ and ‘Landfall in Unknown Seas’. Biographer Philip Norman argues that, along with ‘Prodigal Country’, these works, “have to be considered prime examples of the composer’s quest for a New Zealand musical identity.”

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is conducted by Hamish McKeich.

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert.
Film funded by NZ On Air.