[1] The overture is the first of three early works by Lilburn which centre on the theme of national identity; the other two are Landfall in Unknown Seas (1942), for narrator and orchestra, and the tone poem A Song of Islands (1946).
[3] Typical of Lilburn's early work, the overture features idiomatic writing for winds, especially flutes, and vigorous dynamic contrasts.
[4] Many commercial recordings have been made of the work; for example, Symphony of Sails performed by Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya in 2002.
[1][4] In 2011, the manuscript score was entered into the UNESCO Memory of the World Aotearoa New Zealand Ngā Mahara o te Ao register.
[4] Woodwinds: 2 Flutes 2 Oboes 2 Clarinet 2 Bassoons Brass: 4 Horns 2 Trumpets 3 Trombones Percussions: Timpani Triangle Cymbals Strings: 2 Violins Violas Cello Double Bass