Works
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Cloud Piercer (2025)
solo for 5 octave marimba, 6:30minsCommissioned and premiered by Auckland Philharmonia's principal timpanist Steven Logan
I was fortunate enough to spend my childhood in a national park beneath the magnificent Aoraki/Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. “Aoraki”, meaning “Cloud Piercer” in Māori (New Zealand’s indigenous language), is named because the mountain is often seen “piercing” the wispy clouds around her luminescent white peak. As my first solo marimba work, I decided to pay tribute to this mountain by capturing her majestic beauty and the nostalgia associated with my childhood. By playing this piece, I hope you get a sense of the serene nature that New Zealand has to offer.
- Hannah Kagawa, June 2025
Arabesque Op. 11 (2025)
for orchestra, 5:33minsPremiered by the Carthage Symphony Orchestra of Tunisia in May 2025
An orchestral work that combines Arabic, deserty-themed melodies and powerful, symphonic timbre to create a dynamic soundscape. Premiered by the Carthage Symphony Orchestra of Tunisia this June with the help of Oussema Mrabet.
Toys (2024)
for solo multi-percussion, 4:30minsAn Award-Winning Multi-Percussion Solo
This award-winning multi-percussion solo was made specifically for a collection of instruments that I have either created, modified or have been gifted in the past few years. During the composition process, I picked out and experimented with the remains of my homemade drum kit, such as my cymbal pot-lids, and a few of my xylophone bars from my homemade marimba. This piece won first place in the University of Canterbury’s annual Lilburn Composer’s Competition in 2024, when it was premiered. It was a very fun piece to compose, and this is only a start to a whole series of compositions incorporating my unique instruments.
Rhapsody of the Successors (2023)
for percussion ensemble, 6:30minsComposed for the Christchurch Youth Orchestra Percussion Ensemble
"After five years of learning percussion from you, I knew I had to give something in return for making me the musician I would have never thought to become today. It was not until September that I had thought, why not give the gift of music? I had a passion for composition but never considered writing for a specific purpose - writing for someone. When I was told I could have my piece performed by the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, I was delighted and overwhelmed. My first compositional debut with some of the top youth percussionists in New Zealand was more than daunting. However, our percussionists never failed to impress me. They did a stunning job at executing my craft."
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