Classical
Self-playing piano gets a makeover
Self-playing pianos were popular at the beginning of last century but lost favour in the 20s. Famed piano makers Steinway have given the pianola a digital age makeover incorporating apps, iPads and… Audio
Upbeat for Wednesday 18 April
We discover how listening to Mozart can help your blood pressure, Steinway has given the pianola a digital age makeover; Kiwi female pioneer in venture capital investment Annette Campbell-White says…
Face: the emotional and physical scars of war
Ross Harris talk about his new work Face, a vocal work written to remember the men who suffered serious facial injury during the First World War, changing their lives in the most dramatic way. The… Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 17 April
We highlight classical music artists and ensembles from non-western countries, celebrate classically trained Nina Simone’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ross Harris discusses his new…
Review: NZSO's Shed Series featuring Zappa & Mozart
The NZSO and Frank Zappa normally wouldn’t go together, but they were quite the pairing at last Friday’s first performance of the Orchestra’s Shed Series in Wellington. Hadyn Green went to experience… Audio
Upbeat for Monday 16 April
Opera star Jessye Norman wins the Gould Prize, we mark the passing of film director Miloš Forman, review the NZSO’s first shed series gig, and begin a new series exploring great composers and their…
Listen to the NZSO get Zappy
Off to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Shed Series tonight? Conductor Hamish McKeich gives us the inside word on gig etiquette, Frank Zappa and Mozart. Audio
Review: APO – A night of firsts
Pianist Ingrid Fliter joined the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra last night for A Night of Firsts. The concert featured the Australasian premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Symphonic Movements, the… Audio
Upbeat for Friday 13 April
What happens when an airline crushes a very expensive instrument; did the APO & pianist Ingrid Fliter sparkle in A Night of Firsts; what’s the gig etiquette at tonight’s NZSO Shed Series concert and…
My Lady’s Pleasure
An instrument invented for women to play takes centre stage on Saturday. In the concert, named My Lady’s Pleasure, Tina Chancey, soloist for NZ baroque music group Affetto will play the pardessus de… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 12 April
Why Mark-Anthony Turnage is pulling the pin on opera writing, composers who have battled against critics, energetic conductor Jose Luis Gomez arrives in Dunedin, & an instrument created for women…
Upbeat for Wednesday 11 March
Sir Andrew Davis announces he’s stepping down from the MSO, and we talk to Stephen Schwartz, the wicked composer behind the hit musical, and we hear some of your favourite choral works.
Review: NZSO & the Naughton Piano Duo
Christina and Michelle Naughton wowed the audience at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on Friday night with their performance of Mozart’s Concerto for two pianos with the NZSO. Fiona McCabe… Audio
Ingrid Fliter's Five Faves
Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter is in Auckland to perform Mendelssohn’s First Piano Concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Ingrid talks to Upbeat about some of her favourite music, and… Video, Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 10 April
We feature Rachmaninov’s Vespers sung by Wellington choir Inspirare, five favourite tunes chosen by Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter ahead of her APO appearance; Fiona McCabe reviews the NZSO’s…
Upbeat for Monday 9 April
A 128 year old Italian violin went up for auction over the weekend, who was the famous owner? Trevor Reekie explores the world of Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriella, and Glenn Gould proves why the…
Upbeat for Thursday 5 April
It’s 50 years ago this week since 2001: A Space Odyssey came out, we meet talented piano duo Christina and Michelle Naughton, and the New Zealand String Quartet perform Schubert’s Rosamunde quartet.
Upbeat for Wednesday 4 April
We mark the passing of a famous French tenor, explore Rachmaninov’s Vespers and we hear from Kiwi dancer Rodney Bell who’s performing at the Commonwealth Games Arts Festival. Plus our famous fours…
Upbeat for Tuesday 3 April
Wellington Brass Band triumphs in every category at the Australian National Band Championshiops. A UK violist wins a landmark case for hearing loss caused by extreme rehearsal volume. New Zealand… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 29 March
We celebrate International Piano Day with prizes, Jonathan Crayford on his Steinway tour of Aotearoa and concert pianist/conductor Daniel Barenboim is our famous five conductor of the day.