Classical
Christchurch Arts Festival has flair
The Christchurch Arts Festival is underway bringing the city’s creative streak to the fore. Reviewer Tony Ryan has attended a few events, including the Michael Houstoun /Bella Hristova Beethoven mini… Audio
Madison Nonoa hitting the high notes
Hamilton based soprano Madison Nonoa is leaving New Zealand on a high note after winning first prize at the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Wellington Aria competition last week. She’s now heading to… Audio
The Kiwi Pacific Records Story
For thirty years Tony Vercoe ran Kiwi-Pacific Records until his retirement in 1989. When he began there was almost no interest in New Zealand music, but he saw the potential and helped develop the… Audio
The spoken words of the flute
New Zealand flutist Tessa Brinkman is combining her virtuoso playing with poetry for When Flutes Spoke Words tonight at the University of Waikato. Described as a “flutist of chameleon-like gifts” and… Audio
Intensely theatrical Elijah in Auckland
Mendelssohn’s Elijah is intensely theatrical with its substantial orchestra, large number of soloists and a chorus that adds nuance. It’s being performed by Auckland Choral, conducted by Uwe Grodd… Audio
Mouthpiece
A sonic smorgasbord is being offered up by staff performers and composers from the University Auckland. Its performing arm the Karlheinz Company presents MouthPiece featuring weird and wonderful… Audio
Charismatic cellist returns to Christchurch
Sought after charismatic German cellist and conductor Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt returns to Christchurch to perform with the CSO. He was the winner of the first Adam International Cello Competition and… Audio
Audio description en pointe for blind audience
As soon as you hear Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights you’ll recognise it. It’s one of the most famous pieces, and scenes from Romeo and Juliet, currently being performed by the Royal New Zealand… Audio
Under the big top
It’s difficult to imagine circus artists and an orchestra working together, but that is what’s happening this weekend when trapeze artists and acrobats team with Orchestra Wellington for Under the Big… Audio
Hristova & Houstoun on tour with Beethoven
Bella Hristova won the 2007 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. As part of her prize, she toured the country with pianist Michael Houstoun and loved it. Bella is back for another extensive… Audio
Defiance at the heart of it
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and cellist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt are showing defiance in this week’s concert of the same name. Featuring works from Messiaen, Saint-Saens and Shostakovich, the… Audio
Bass-baritone Eric Owens’ star factor
Metropolitan Opera star Eric Owens is as much at home with classical music as he is with contemporary. It’s no wonder, having spent the last 40 years learning and plying his craft. The American… Audio
Passion for piano leads to festival
The love of the piano has been the driving force behind a new classical music festival in Martinborough. Former music teacher Cherry van Kranen bequeathed her Schimmel grand piano to the town, so it… Audio
Viola congress strikes a chord
Representatives from 20 countries will participate in more than 40 events at the upcoming 44th International Viola Congress in Wellington in early September. Orchestra Wellington violist Chris van der… Audio
Secondary students show their musical talents
The KBB Music Festival, which attracts music groups - from orchestras and jazz bands to ensembles from secondary schools around the country – starts next week. It’s a celebration of classical and jazz… Audio
Classical music for headbangers
The words 'Bach' and 'metal' don't often appear in the same sentence. But American cellist Aaron Minsky is closing the divide between the two genres - and in turn generations - using his cello. Video, Audio
State of the World with Edo de Waart
Edo de Waart, NZSO's MD is half way through his current programme this week with violinist Karen Gomyo, and next week taking on Berlioz' dramatic Damnation of Faust, a work he's excited to tackle… Audio
Review: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Wellingtonians got the first taste of violinist Karen Gomyo this past weekend when she joined the NZSO for two performances. Friday night Mahler & Berg took centre stage, along with Salina Fisher’s Ra… Audio
Sought-after violinist adds spunk to NZSO
One of the world’s most sought-after young violists Karen Gomyo is back with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Edo de Waart, Gomyo performs two concertos by Alban Berg, and Max Bruch… Audio
The spell-binding percussion concerto
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s principal percussionist Eric Renick will perform Einojuhani Rautavaara’s spell-binding percussion concerto Incantations with the APO this week. RNZ’s Adrian Hollay… Video, Audio