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- Jenny McLeod: Tracing threads
Jenny McLeod: Tracing threads
Part of Friends of the Turnbull Public Programme — 2024 series
Wednesday 15 May 2024, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Free. Koha from non-members appreciated.
Hear biographer Norman Meehan talk about New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod’s wildly eclectic life and music. By tracing the numerous threads that comprise her work and thought, he brings together a more coherent story of a life that was wildly eclectic in many ways. In this talk, he discusses some of the challenges of piecing that story together.
Join us for this event at the Library or online.
An eclectic musical output
New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod’s music is wildly eclectic. It includes electro-pop soundtracks for children’s television shows, austere chamber music, challenging art song cycles in te reo Māori, simple hymns for congregational singing, solo piano pieces for beginners, and elaborate works for choirs and bespoke orchestras. Her personal life was equally varied and complex.
Outwardly, Jenny's biography can appear to be a string of contradictions and non sequiturs. However, by tracing the numerous threads that comprise her work and thought — many of which are documented in the Alexander Turnbull Library’s holdings — a more coherent story becomes evident.
Creating a coherent narrative
In this talk, Jenny McLeod’s biographer Norman Meehan discusses some of the challenges of piecing that story together — a narrative that mixes a wide range of sources with Norman's extensive interviews and correspondence with Jenny.
Can’t make it in person?
Can't make it in person? This event will also be delivered using Zoom. You do not need to install the software to attend, you can opt to run Zoom from your browser.
Register if you’d like to join this talk and we'll send you the link to use on the day.
A Friends of the Turnbull Library event
The Friends of the Turnbull Library, Nga Hoa o te Whare Pukapuka Turnbull, offers a monthly programme of public talks that are free to all. The public programme highlights the work of researchers who draw on Turnbull material for their projects.
Friends of the Turnbull Library
About the speaker
Norman Meehan is a Wellington-based musician and writer. His publications have primarily considered jazz and art music in Aotearoa. His most recent book Jenny McLeod: A life in music was published by Te Herenga Waka University Press in 2023. Norman also enjoys active collaborations with singer Hannah Griffin, and saxophonist Hayden Chisholm. Their music is published by Rattle Records.
Musician and writer Norman Meehan. Photo by Nicholas Charles Photography, Tauranga.