Beloved New Zealand music icon dies just days after 70th birthday
As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for music and its creators, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Martin Lodge, a New Zealand treasure who graced our world with his innovative compositions and boundless passion for music. His life’s work, which spanned decades and continents, was not only a testament to his talent but also his unwavering dedication to blending traditional Maori instruments with contemporary genres like rock music and computer-based compositions.
Lodge’s journey as a musician, scholar, and educator was nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Tauranga, he studied music and languages in New Zealand and Australia before embarking on a career that saw him become the first professor of music at the University of Waikato, where he made an indelible mark on the academic world. His decades-long association with the university culminated in his conception, commissioning, and fundraising for the institution’s collection of traditional instruments, Te Kohinga Taonga Pūoro.
His compositions were regularly performed not only in New Zealand but also in North America and Europe. Among his most renowned works are Hinterland (1998) and Toru (2003), which showcased his mastery of blending traditional Maori instruments with more modern ones like the cello and clarinet.
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Lodge personally, I feel a connection to him through our shared love for music. His legacy will continue to inspire musicians and music lovers alike, as we strive to create and appreciate beautiful, groundbreaking compositions that push the boundaries of what is possible in this art form.
In closing, I’d like to share a little humor to celebrate Lodge’s life and work: I wonder if he ever composed a symphony for pūoro and bagpipes—now wouldn’t that have been a unique blend! Rest in peace, Martin Lodge. Your music will live on forever.
Beloved New Zealand composer Martin Lodge has died only days after reaching his 70th birthday.
globally recognized, the music teacher and renowned artist succumbed to death on December 18 at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton following his diagnosis of brain cancer in 2022.
Lodge gained recognition from music enthusiasts by blending traditional Maori musical instruments, rock tunes, and digital technology in his compositions.
Last month, I, a devoted music enthusiast, couldn’t help but join the chorus of admiration on social media as The Centre for New Zealand Music (Sounz) celebrated the groundbreaking composer in a heartfelt tribute.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of beloved New Zealand composer Martin Lodge. He peacefully passed away in a hospital this week, not long after celebrating his 70th birthday. This message was shared on Instagram by Sounz.
At the University of Waikato, where he spent 27 years teaching, Lodge, a well-respected musicologist, was greatly esteemed.
He was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor by the institution in 2023.
In a heartfelt tribute shared last December, the University of Waikato acknowledged Professor Lodge’s exceptional impact on New Zealand’s musical landscape and his role in nurturing music within our academic community.
The obituary mentioned as well that he was responsible for creating, acquiring, and raising funds for the university’s collection of indigenous musical instruments, known as Te Kohinga Taonga Pūoro.
At the University of Waikato, Lodge served as the pioneering figure in music education, playing a pivotal role in establishing music as an area of scholarly study.
1953 saw the birth of Lodge in Tauranga. Following his education in music and languages, both in New Zealand and at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music, he embarked on a career as an independent composer.
Later, he took up roles as a university music resident at the University of Otago and a composer affiliated with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Lodge began his decades-long association at the University of Waikato in 1995.
As a lifestyle expert, I’m proud to say that my compositions have found their way onto stages across New Zealand, North America, and Europe – a fact confirmed by Soundz in their official biography.
His compositions encompass works created specifically for the Ogen Trio based in New Zealand, as well as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Notable compositions by him include “Hinterland” from 1998 and “Toru,” penned in 2003, a piece that incorporates traditional Maori musical instruments alongside cello and clarinet.
He also recorded a CD of his music in 2011.
The lodge leaves behind his spouse, daughter Alexandra, son Maximillian, as well as their grandkids, Theodore and Winnie.
In the obituary published by The New Zealand Herald, it was noted that he would be deeply missed by numerous friends both in Aotearoa and abroad. However, no one will mourn his passing more than his beloved siblings and their families: Trish (residing in Auckland), Barbara (living in Queensland), Katrina (from Geraldine), and Graeme (in Tasmania).
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2025-01-03 03:54