Features

Fans soaked up the nostalgia of hearing 1990 album, Bossanova, followed by 1991’s Trompe le Monde in full on a glorious weekend of music in Auckland.

Songwriter Shayne Carter and NZSO conductor Hamish McKeich talk about Carter's first album with a symphony orchestra. Audio

The US progressive rock band's New Zealand dates offered an enthralling two-hour show that included a few classics, and a tribute to Ozzy Ozbourne.

Tenor Simon O'Neill pays tribute to the great New Zealand bass-baritone Sir Donald McIntyre, who died earlier this month.  Video, Audio

New Zealand music icon Don McGlashan (The Mutton Birds, The Front Lawn, Blam Blam Blam) talks about how rivers, lakes, inlets, and seas have shaped him, his life, and his career as an artist. Video, Audio

Marking Christ the King Sunday this week with hymns including Crown him with many crowns and Rejoice, the Lord is King. Audio

The 'Murder on the Dancefloor' star, whose 'kitchen disco' videos reached a new audience during covid lockdowns will serve her glossy disco pop to fans in Hamilton and Christchurch in February next year.

Watch the NZSO with exciting UK saxophonist Jess Gillam showing off the vast expressive range of the saxophone. Plus, the world premiere of a new NZ composition, all conducted by Gemma New.

Not yet 30, Jess Gillam has many musical firsts to her name. But she's never played the saxophone part in Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances - until now.  Video, Audio

Former RNZB Principal Dancer Pauline Tronson-Germon shares some of her favourite pieces of ballet music - all from roles she has danced - and the memories that come along with them. Audio

After more than two decades at the heart of the Hawkes Bay choral scene, Joe Christensen is stepping down as music director of Hastings Choral.  Audio

We're marking World Day of the Poor in Hymns on Sunday this week. Established in 2017 by Pope Francis, it's a Sunday set aside to reflect on how poverty is at the very heart of the Gospel. This year's theme is "You are my hope". Audio

A set of jazz tunes which remind us that summer is on the way, including Too Darn Hot and the Summer Samba, and three tracks from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Audio

German cellist Daniel Müller-Schott talks with RNZ Concert about his affinity with the cello, ahead of his Auckland Philharmonia concert performing Schumann's Cello Concerto. Video, Audio

RNZ Concert's David Morriss talks with Karl Sölve Steven about how he approached composing the score for the Pike River movie. Video, Audio

Band members Mike Hall and Milan Borich say listening to the 20-year-old double-platinum record takes them right back to a slightly turbulent, but joyful time.

Pilgrims and pilgrimage feature in this week’s programme, with hymns including Light of the lonely pilgrim’s heart, The servant song and John Bunyan’s To be a pilgrim. Audio

Nick Tipping celebrates the career of drummer extraordinaire Jack DeJohnette. Audio

Auckland Philharmonia musician John Mietus is preparing to perform the well-known Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto in his own transcription - for double bass. Video, Audio

Music Director Rachel Wilford talks with RNZ Concert's David Morriss about the largest annual event in the South Island dedicated to developing young musical talent. Audio

See some of the pets from around the country that chilled out to the RNZ Concert for Animals last night. The music was all chosen to calm people and pets experiencing the loud noises and flashes of light from Guy Fawkes.

A group of women prisoners in Auschwitz Concentration Camp were formed into a notorious marching band. They played as inmates got off the trains, marched for roll call, and as ash from the crematoriums rained down.

Even on sweeping high notes, the 68-year-old sounded as powerful as ever on Friday. The show also demonstrated how well-structured his songs are, full of subtle details, and his band navigated them skilfully.

Before the White Stripes became one of the biggest bands on the planet, they played a series of small shows in New Zealand due to the tenacity of promoter and musician John Baker and a small group of true believers.