This was a commissioned work, originally for accordion orchestra and premiered at the Royal Festival Hall, London, February 1993, by Jenny’s Accordions, with the composer conducting. It was re-arranged for full symphony orchestra and received its New Zealand premiere in July 1993 with Auckland’s youth symphonic orchestra, Orchestra Nova . This miniature overture is similar to a pocket containing many treasures, little “goodies” collected over a period of time, in as much as it consists of several snippets of the melodies and rhythms from the composer’s other compositions.
A Pocket Overture was awarded first prize in the ATG (Accordion Teachers’ Guild of America) 31st annual competition, for original composition.
Gary Daverne (www.garydaverne.gen.nz) was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (O.N.Z.M.) in the 1996 Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to music.
Gary is well known in television, radio and the recording industry as a composer, arranger and musical director. As a record producer, he has produced some 40 record albums and has one ‘platinum” and two “gold” records to his credit. He is highly regarded in the advertising and film industry for his writing and production of over 600 advertising jingles and film sound tracks.
Gary Daverne is New Zealand’s most prolific composer and arranger of music for the accordion.
