SHORT CHORAL WORKS
We have noticed much activity from schools on this website recently. Looking for New Zealand repertoire for your choir?
Maybe for the Big Sing? Check out these short Ritchie choral works:
For mixed voices:
Matariki theme:
Ururangi and Waipunarangi for 8-part unaccompanied mixed choir (2024)
4 minutes for each song.
Anzac Day theme:
Ataturk Memorial for 4-part unaccompanied mixed choir
(from Gallipoli to the Somme, an oratorio for choir, soloists and orchestra, 2016)
3 minutes.
Mid-Winter Christmas theme:
Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen for 4-6 part unaccompanied mixed choir
3.5 minutes
Theme from Te Ao Māori:
Carving for 4-part mixed choir with woodblocks
5 minutes
Neo-baroque theme:
Olinda for 4-part unaccompanied mixed choir
3 minutes
Christian theme:
Magnificat for 4-part unaccompanied mixed choir
4 minutes
Heroic theme:
Song of Hope for 4-part unaccompanied mixed choir
4 minutes
For female voices:
He Moemoea
(A dream) for 4-part mixed choir or 2-part female choir
3 minutes 30.
Song
in versions for 2-part female choir and piano, 2-part male choir and organ, SATB choir and piano, SATB choir, violin cello, flute and piano – 3 minutes 30.
Hine e Hine
for S.A. voices and piano
3 minutes
A poem Just for me
for S.A. voices and piano
3 minutes
What shall we Do with a Drunken Sailor
for S.A. voices and piano
2 minutes
Three Images
for S.A. choir and piano (with alternate version with horn added)
1. the heavenly miracle (poem by Apirana Taylor) - 3 minutes
2. High Country Weather (poem by James K. Baxter)
2 minutes 40 (unaccompanied)
3. a great seamstress (poem by Apirana Taylor) - 2 minutes 45
Four e.e. cummings poems
for female voices unaccompanied, and published by Wai-te-ata Press in Wellington. This set of songs is more challenging in standard.
STRING QUARTETS RECORDED
A Rattle Records CD of Anthony’s three string quartets, named Melencololia, was launched late 2025. All are superbly performed by the Jade String Quartet. The Third Quartet, In Time was composed in 2023 and is a meditation on the temporality of life but also a celebration of it. The first Quartet was composed when Anthony was 23, a student living in Budapest, and it had remained unperformed until premiered in 2020 by Dunedin ensemble the Exhibition Quartet. The Jade String Quartet then took it up, along with the other quartets, performing them all in 2024 prior to the recording.
An interesting feature of the three quartets is that each is separated from its neighbour by 20 years. The album, therefore, involves a variety of styles.
MELENCOLIA REVIEWED:
Peter Mechen has reviewed the String Quartet CD in Middle C: Melencolia Review
You! Who?
Anthony collaborated with his friend (and fellow croquet player) Fiona Farrell on a monodrama for mezzo soprano and piano entitled You! Who?
The studio redording following the first performance has now been released by SOUNZ (Centre for NZ Music) on youtube.
Fiona’s poems trace the evolution of a relationship, from first meeting through marriage, babies, separation, reconciliation and finally death.
Anthony and Fiona have frequently discussed possible creative collaborations. Anthony was inspired to compose the work for mezzo and work colleague Tessa Romano, who gave a stunning performance as Circus Woman in Anthony’s opera The Trapeze Artists.
You! Who? Was premiered by Tessa Romano (mezzo) and Terence Dennis (piano) as part of 2025 NZ Music Month celebrations at the School of Performing Arts, University of Otago.
Search, instrumentation, buy PDF
SYMPHONY 6
SOUNZ, The Centre for NZ Music, has released the film of Symphony 6.
FIVE DUNEDIN SONGS
The premiere performance of Anthony's song cycle Five Dunedin Songs have been released by SOUNZ (Centre for NZ Music) on youtube, 29 years after they were composed! Christopher Bowen, tenor, and Matthew Marshall, guitarist, performed the songs in The Piano in Christchurch in June this year, and also took them on tour through New Zealand, Serbia and Ireland.
The songs use wonderful poems by two New Zealand poets, Iain Lonie and Bernadette Hall.
You can view the performance on youtube
FRANGRANTISSIMA
A short trio for flute, cello and harp by Anthony entitled Fragrantissima evokes the smell of Winter Honeysuckle, or Fragrantissima, a strong and beautiful scent that induces a sense of calmness and well-being. The piece was commissioned by the Aurum trio: Barbara Hill (flute), Robert Ibell (cello) and Michelle Velvin (harp) for a tour in early 2025.
BASSOON QUINTET RECORDING
The RNZ recording of the first performance of Anthony's 2023 work Farewell for bassoon and string quartet is now available. Follow the link. Performers are Todd Gibson-Cornish, Donald Armstrong, Wilma Smith, Amanda Verner and Matthias Balzat.