Lilburn composed Landfall in unknown seas, for narrator and string orchestra, in 1942. It was the second in his early trilogy of works dealing with themes of New Zealand identity, following the Aotearoa Overture and its predecessor, A song of islands. The text of the work is taken from a poem by Allen Curnow, and tells the story of the islands' discovery by Abel Tasman. The flyer pictured is for a 1943 concert of Lilburn's works, including Landfall in unknown seas.

Listen to John Ritchie conduct the NZBC Orchestra performing the introductory music.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero © Lilburn Trust. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Landfall in Unknown Seas/Reference number CDR139 tr1). Courtesy of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.