Performer Spotlight: Strike Percussion
Monday, August 22, 2011
Strike is a high-energy drumming group whose flexible line-up is drawn from amongst New Zealand's most outstanding percussionists. Strike just completed performing their show Elemental at Wellington's Downstage Theatre, Wellington, New Zealand, 5-20 August.
Elemental was first presented and performed to a full house in May 2008 at the ERUPT Festival in Taupo, New Zealand. The premiere received a standing ovation and the show went on to be performed in Napier and Wellington, New Zealand. The Capital Times described the show as a 'compelling experience… if you missed it, you missed something special.' Elemental harnesses the sonic power of water, fire, earth and airwaves in a breathtaking journey of sound manipulation, choreography, rhythmicc intricacy and invention. As well as using traditional percussion instruments, Strike uses hydrophones, pyrophones, dippophones and Bedford trucks. Elemental features music works by Gareth Farr, Murray Hickman, Takumi Motokawa, Tom Pierard, Leni Sulusi and Tim Whitta.
Founded in 1993 as a classically-trained percussion ensemble, Strike has evolved into a high-energy drumming group combining movement and theatre-based performance. Influenced by Pacific, classical and contemporary music, the group has written its own pieces and collaborated with leading New Zealand composers, other musicians and performing arts groups from dancers to symphony orchestras. Featuring New Zealand's most outstanding percussionists, the group's skilful creativity, choreography and humour has impressed audiences around the world.
Listen to Farr: Warriors From Pluto (MMT2036) online featuring Strike performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as well as STRIKE: New Zealand Percussion Music (MMT2030). You can order your copies of these excellent recordings at www.trustrecords.com.
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