Music Alive Collections

Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead, Ngāi Te Rangi, DNZM has composed music that ranges from solo pieces, chamber music and songs to choral and orchestral works, opera, and cross-cultural…

Prolonged applause from the audience is frequently rewarded with an entertaining or reflective encore.

When our popular musicians get together with our orchestras and RNZ is there to record ... magic happens.

A collection of music by New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod (1941 - 2022)

RNZ recordings of performances from the Auckland Arts Festival.

Performances of works by the highly regarded New Zealand composer, recorded by RNZ Concert over many years.

A celebration of kapa haka – the heartbeat of Māoridom

A spotlight on solo instruments with orchestra by New Zealand composers

The violin can sing like a human voice and express every emotion.

For many people, a favourite musical instrument is the cello. Here's a feast of RNZ Concert cello recordings to enjoy.

'Love cannot express the idea of music, while music may give an idea of love.' Here's a selection of music by Berlioz performed in New Zealand and recorded by RNZ Concert.

A selection of music by Claude Debussy performed and recorded in New Zealand.

Music inspired by ngā manu - large or small, native or exotic, colourful or plain, flightless or soaring

This baritone woodwind instrument can sound lyrical, spiky, grunty or funny. A number of composers have written solo concertos for bassoon, but most often it's found blending in to chamber…

Celebrate Spring with music from Aotearoa and the world.

NZ composer Professor John Ritchie was born 100 years ago on 29 September 1921

Gustav Mahler composed nine symphonies and part of a tenth.

A selection of music composed by New Zealand women, recorded by RNZ Concert.

The dramatic music of German composer Richard Strauss (1864-1949) is most famous thanks to Stanley Kubrick, but there is much, much more.

Performances from the Wallace National Piano Competition

Music associated with the ocean's winds and waves

To mark 250 years since Captain Cook set foot on land in Aotearoa the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra commissions works from five New Zealand composers.

In New Zealand, mid-winter brings cool temperatures, the solstice and the Māori New Year. Matariki is a time to gather with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the…

Heroic, dramatic, smooth or romantic, the richly-toned horn is probably the most difficult, but rewarding, instrument to play