Here is a clip of the Anthem as performed at the World Premiere
TARKA – THE CONCERT on DVD
Note:- this DVD is only available by special order and was made primarily as a momento for members of the orchestra and those who attended the concert. If you have a special interest in obtaining a copy , please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
So how did Tarka come to be performed after 30 years?
In 2009 Harry’s partner Maribel Steel approached Mary Crooks, the Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust with the idea of promoting a World Première Concert of TARKA. The VWT had published Our Watermark:- an in-depth study of water use in Australia. Mary saw a common thread & a creative alliance was formed between the VWT, Spring Studio and the Boite to produce a community music event Precious Music, Precious Water.
The original scores were retrieved from various vaults in the UK and Australia & dusted off. Harry transcribed the 1000 bars of the existing symphony into music notation program Sibelius while Andrew Skeet collaborated with Anthony Phillips in London to produce a score for Movement Four. Much of the music is derived from pieces for two guitars in different ‘open’ or modal tunings.
Guitar virtuoso Doug de Vries was delighted to be invited to accompany Harry as joint soloist for the World Première. Conductor Gerald Keuneman of the Whitehorse Orchestra welcomed the opportunity of interpreting a new symphony working alongside one of the composers.
Intense rehearsals followed and key soloists were chosen to augment the community orchestra & play unconventional parts. Harry’s company Spring Studio brought together the sound, projection and film crews for the two concerts while the VWT provided essential funding, publicity and volunteers aplenty.
This DVD captures the spirit and enthusiasm of the Whitehorse Orchestra playing TARKA with grace, grandeur and passion in the warmth of the Melbourne Town Hall. Close-ups of Gerald skillfully guiding his musicians through the myriad of moods and tempos bring an unusual private view of the secret language of an orchestra.
‘I am so glad to be sharing this moment inside this beautiful symphony’ Kevin – Horn
‘I remember Tarka from childhood. Playing the music for it has been great’ Jill – Tuba
From the humble beginnings of a single drop, the music describes the Innocent Early Years in Movement One, follows water flowing from moorland through stream and river to estuary and ocean and concludes with the drama and profound loss of death and destruction. But there is always hope . . . which is reflected in Movement Four.