Classical
Classics 101 - 'William Tell Overture'
Do you ever hear a piece of classical music that you recognise but don’t know the name of? Zoë George explores tunes you know you knew. Video, Audio
Coming up
Upbeat for Tuesday 22 May
Cellist Sheku-Kanneh Mason is topping the pop and classical charts following his royal wedding performance, we start our Classics 101 series, Peter Hoar reviews Alex Ross with Stroma’s concert.
Upbeat for Friday 18 May
The countdown is on for the Royal wedding. We make some music suggestions. Dynamic Wellington choir Supertonic celebrate female composers, and we acknowledge the talent that is violinist Hilary Hahn.
…Dynamic Kiwi conductor returns home
New Zealand born conductor Gemma New is back in the country to conduct the APO and CSO in the coming week. She’s been busy traveling around the world bringing classical music to new audiences. She… Audio
Study reveals sharks not hooked on classical tunes
Research about sharks being confused by classical music has caused gnashing of teeth. Video
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
Resonance resonates with orchestral musicians
Tony Ryan is a familiar voice on RNZ Concert, but when he’s not reviewing gigs, he’s working with musicians. Resonance ensemble attracts some of the best orchestral musicians in the Garden City. Tony… Audio
Five classical Kiwi tunes for PM Jacinda Ardern’s playlist
Where are the classical artists on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s NZ Music Month playlist? Upbeat compile a few classical Kiwi classics for her to add. Video, Audio
Upbeat for Wednesday 16 May
Where are the Kiwi classical tunes on PM Jacinda Ardern’s NZ Music Month Playlist? Nina Stemme wins a major award; why classical composers are being unfairly maligned regarding STIs and why Resonance…
Composing music: but is it research?
Dunedin composer Associate Prof Anthony Ritchie has been promoted to the rank of Professor at the University of Otago; one of very few composers to have that title in New Zealand. Tonight he gives his… Audio
Classical music for comedy lovers
Music can make you laugh, cry and feel uncomfortable. Comedy can do the same. Comedian Brendon Green picks five classical tunes that have influenced him and his comedy. Video
Upbeat for Tuesday 15 May
Composer and now Professor Anthony Ritchie discusses whether composing music constitutes research, we discover which Wes Anderson movie Beethoven’s 7th symphony appeared in, and we hear a Kronos…
10 quick questions with The Ten Tenors
Australian based ensemble The Ten Tenors are on the road in NZ, visiting 16 destinations up and down the country. The tenors, including Kiwi Cameron Barclay, popped into the Auckland studio to perform… Video, Audio
Upbeat for Monday 14 May
The Ten Tenors answer 10 quick questions, we celebrate Dame Gillian Whitehead’s icon award, we find out who the BBC young musician of the year is and we celebrate great violinists.
Dame Gillian Whitehead: a true Icon
Dame Gillian Whitehead has been honoured with an Icon Award. The awards recognise New Zealand artists who contribute substantially to the country’s creative landscape. RNZ Concert presenter Nick… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 10 May
Composer Dame Gillian Whitehead has been honoured with an Icon award; the world premiere of a new Kiwi comedy is happening in Wellington and we continue our series on the Cleveland Orchestra at 100.
Grunge, classical music and Leonard Bernstein
NZSO guest conductor Brett Mitchell explains what classical music, grunge, and musical theatre have in common and what composer Leonard Bernstein has to do with it. Audio
Upbeat for Wednesday 9 May
What’s going on with the English National Opera banning food in the London Coliseum; we hear some of Teddy Tahu Rhodes’ new album; Bernstein and Vivaldi with NZSO guest conductor Brett Mitchell, and…
Upbeat for Tuesday 8 May
We discover that young people do like classical music, we meet two rising stars in opera, we mark NZ Sign Language week by exploring the intricacies of interpreting music into NZSL and we continue…
Upbeat for Monday 7 May
How a young trumpeter successfully funded his Juilliard education; many British orchestral musicians say they are living on the breadline; we celebrate the brilliance of Bernstein with singer Morgan…