A Song of Islands

A Song of Islands is a tone poem written for orchestra by New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn in 1946. The work is the last in a trilogy of pieces exploring the theme of New Zealand identity; it was preceded by the overture Aotearoa and Landfall in Unknown Seas for narrator and string orchestra.

History and music

Lilburn described the piece as featuring "a chorale-like theme" that develops into an "arch-like form".
The piece has been recorded by the New [Zealand Symphony Orchestra] under Sir William Southgate. A Naxos recording by James Judd with the NZSO was issued in August 2006; it also includes Lilburn's Aotearoa Overture, Forest, A Birthday Offering, Drysdale Overture, Festival Overture and Processional Fanfare.