Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Upbeat for Monday 18 June
New Zealand Opera announces its new General Director, we play music inspired by the Football World Cup, Tony Ryan reviews the CSO & we mark the passing of conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky.
Orchestras skirting around pants no more
Women wear pants in all walks of life but they are unable to do so in a formal concert setting in New York. What about in New Zealand?
Prokofiev, Psycho and the guest pianist
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra is joined by virtuoso pianist Nikolay Khozyainov for its Fear and Courage concert tomorrow. Prokofiev’s third Piano Concerto, Bernard Hermann’s Psycho and… Audio
Upbeat for Friday 15 June
Some international orchestras ban their female players from wearing pants. What’s the standard here? We look forward to this weekend’s Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performance of Prokofiev’s Third…
Upbeat for Thursday 17 May
Do sharks like classical music? New research reveals the answer. Decca signs three new artists, dynamic Kiwi conductor Gemma New on her growing career and we celebrate great violinist Joshua Bell. Video
CSO bringing Berlin and Broadway to Christchurch
The glitz and glamour of Germany’s Weimar Republic and the bright lights of Broadway are coming to the Garden City this weekend. The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra brings alive the music of Germany’s… Audio
Upbeat for Friday 11 May
Three talented New Zealand musicians awarded the 2018 Patricia Pratt Scholarships, we mark 40 years of the BBC Young Musician competition, the CSO brings Berlin and Broadway to Christchurch & we…
Review: Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s Pathétique
Pianist Tony Chen Lin gave a performance of Ravel’s piano concerto with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra on Saturday in the Garden City. Tony Ryan was at the very special concert that also featured… Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 27 March
We look back to previous Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Award recipients, Tony Ryan review’s CSO’s Pathétique; We talk to Oboist Thomas Hutchinson & Sir Simon Rattle is the second in…
Talented pianist to make professional debut with CSO
Pianist Tony Chen Lin makes his professional debut with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra this Saturday playing Ravel’s popular Piano Concerto in G. Eva Radich speaks to Tony about recording his… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 22 March
We find out why Opera Australia is going to the dogs, what nursery rhymes have to do with the NZSO, Pianist Tony Chen Lin talks about working with the CSO and recording his first solo piano disc, and…
Review: did CSO celebrate 60 in style?
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra opened its 2018 season on Saturday. Tony Ryan reviews the orchestra’s 60th anniversary concert, which featured a new work by John Young, Bruch’s Violin Concerto no… Audio
Upbeat for Monday 26 Feb 2018
Was the NZ Festival opening weekend a “spectacular”? Lynn Freeman shares her thoughts & Tony Ryan review the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season opening concert. We also explore…
Favourite daughter helps celebrate CSO’s 60th
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 60th anniversary on Saturday. Violinist Natalia Lomeiko, who’s been a soloist with the CSO since she was seventeen, will play Bruch's romantic… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 22 Feb
Today marks seven years since the devastating Christchurch Earthquake. We turn out attention to the Garden City, first celebrating the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 60th anniversary with violinist…
Composer John Young brings Spirit to CSO
Electroacoustic New Zealand composer John Young has written a fanfare to open the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 60th birthday season on Saturday. His new work Spirit tells a true story of love and… Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 20 Feb
Today is all about celebrating Kiwi composers. Pianist Stephen De Pledge brings alive seven pieces written by Kiwis inspired by Bach’s Partita & composer John Young’s new commission for the…
Review: Christchurch Symphony Orchestra with Simon Tedeschi
Gershwin was the main draw card in the final major performance for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Talented Australian pianist Simon Tedeschi stole the show according to reviewer Tony Ryan. But… Audio
Red, White and Blue for CSO and Australian pianist
Renowned Australian pianist Simon Tedeschi returns to New Zealand to perform Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F major with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. He was last here in 2009, when he also… Audio
Was it an Ode to Joy?
Tony Ryan joined the sold out crowd at Wigram Airforce Museum on Saturday for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s Ode to Joy featuring Beethoven’s famous 9th Symphony and his less well known Violin… Audio