A local Dargaville odysee, the piece 'Rehutai... a view from the end of the Road' depicts four tales from the windy road found parallel to the coast line near Baylys Beach on the West Coast of the northern part of New Zealand.

• (1) Dawn's Waltz tells of the frequent visits of the cheeky native New Zealand Fantail birds searching for bugs on the windows. Leaving little marks, they were in turn transcribed onto manuscript, turning into this lovely waltz dedicated to Dawn Taylor and her late husband Laurie, residents of Rehutai Road since 1957.
• (2) Charlie's Return is the story of a solo Californian Quail who often strutted through, sometimes pausing to sing out his signature call. The distinctive call of the bird is heard during the March.
• (3) Sunset on Trig Hill, An Evening Prayer is inspired by the stunning sunsets from this panoramic high point. Trig Hill is the highest point in the area, offering unparalelled views of more than 50 miles of ocean, the mountains and back to the Dargaville township.
• (4) Rehutai, a Jig, is the final piece of the set and takes the listener on a journey down this windy metal road, the lifetime location of the Friedrich family farms.

March 29th, 2009 - Sunday at 1.00 PM
Lighthouse Function Center, Harding Park, Dargaville - New Zealand
Kevin Friedrich (accordion) and Nolene Osbaldiston (piano)
(World Premiere of version for accordion and piano)

 

Gem of the Kaipara - Gem of the Kaipara is written in honor of long time accordion and arts supporter and lifetime member of the New Zealand Accordion Association, the late Mrs. Jenny Maioha Cocurullo. A respected and loved citizen of Dargaville, Jenny (13 September 1934 - 25 May 2001) always promoted the Kaipara region of New Zealand as the 'Gem of the North', however, she in turn was considered 'The Gem of the Kaipara' thus the title of this new work by Gary Daverne.

Kevin asked Gary to write this work for solo accordion with String Orchestra and Percussion to serve as a musical tribute to his long time friend and mentor Jenny Cocurullo with the title of 'Gem of the Kaipara.'

The project was funded by donations and grants from the Kaipara District Council, the local Kaipara community as well as national and international entities. The concert in the Dargaville Epi Center on May 11, 2002 marked the official "World Premiere" of this new work, which was performed by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra Strings and accordion soloist Kevin Friedrich, conducted by the composer Gary Daverne.

Written in simple sonata form, the introduction of the piece is quite mysterious in nature, with the lower strings providing a subtle bagpipe like drone and the airy melody and soft percussive effects reminiscent of the awakening of the lush Kauri forests and countryside of the Kaipara from its thick blanketing of dawn fog.

The main themes are written around Jenny's name and the name of the region the 'Kaipara'. The lyrical re-occurring melody is first heard by the accordion, with string accompaniment and then switches to the strings accompanied by the accordion.

After working through an animated and rhythmical jig like section depicting Jenny's boundless energy, many interests and Scottish heritage, the strings restate the soaring melody expressing the vast expansiveness and sweeping landscapes of the Kaipara region.

The CD with 'Gem of the Kaipara' is available on-line from Music For Accordion

The Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra was commissioned by Auckland accordionist (and former teacher of Kevin Friedrich) Harley Jones, for a performance in New York in August 1988.

It was premiered in Auckland in 1987 and in the first two years received 36 performances worldwide. It was recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with Harley as soloist and released on a CD: Orchestral Music by Gary Daverne.

This work combines the sensitivity, expressive and distinct tone colors of the accordion, with the full power of a symphony orchestra.

Performance of Rhapsody by Kevin Friedrich:

• Bruce Mason Center - Auckland, New Zealand
  with Auckland Symphony Orchestra - Gary Daverne, Conductor
  
  
• Epi Center - Dargaville, New Zealand
  with Auckland Symphony Orchestra - Gary Daverne, Conductor
  
  
• Aotea Center - Auckland, New Zealand
  with Auckland Symphony Orchestra - Gary Daverne, Conductor
  
  
• Texas Accordion Association Festival - Plano, Texas, USA
  with Texas Accordion Association Festival Orchestra - Gary Daverne, Conductor
  
  
• St. Johns Church - Whangarei, New Zealand
  with Whangarei Symphony Orchestra - John Yard, Conductor