Features

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.

Hymns for All Saints' Day and Reformation Day in this week's programme, and a beautiful arrangement for brass band of Handel Parker’s tune ‘Deep Harmony’. Audio

The British comedian talks with RNZ Concert's Nick Tipping about the universal languages of comedy and music.

The newly-formed piano trio Korimako has its debut concert in Wellington next week. And while the ensemble may be new, the names are familiar - established musicians Helene Pohl (violin), Rolf Gjelsten (cello) and Michael Endres (piano). Audio

New Zealand has a brand new wind band. RNZ Concert speaks with its musical director, Tom Chester. Audio

This week, we’ve some communion hymns from New Zealand and the United States, and we feature hymns by Isaac Watts, who’s sometimes described as ‘the Father of English hymnody’ – he wrote over 700 hymns. Audio

Young composer Estella Wallace talks about her prize-winning piece for string quartet inspired by Shostakovich's final work.   Audio

Jonathan Le Cocq is bringing the theorbo to an imaginative Auckland Philharmonia baroque concert later this month. Audio

Hundreds of people have requested their most loved classical music for broadcast on Labour Day Monday on RNZ Concert. It is going to be wonderful listening. Until then, enjoy some interesting trends drawn from those requests.

Ahead of playing it with the NZSO, cellist Kian Soltani talks about his favourite concerto. Video, Audio

Lawyer and arts supporter Jim Stevenson loved the sound of the tenor voice. Now a trust set up after his death is looking to support talented singers make the leap from study to a professional career. Audio

It's World Mission Sunday. This special day in the Catholic liturgical calendar was created by Pope Pius XI in the mid-1920s as a day of prayer for missions. Audio

Wellington Youth Orchestra principal cellist Tomos Christie and prinicipal viola Solace Ward speak to RNZ Concert ahead of the orchestra's big gig in the Michael Fowler Centre. Audio

LISTEN: Drummer and beat-maker Alexander Flood and band perform original music from their new album at San Fran, Wellington as part of the 2024 Wellington Jazz Festival. Audio

Senate President Hokkons Baules said there are practical issues around introducing refugees in their society.

Fijian academic says the nation must focus on the future, not the past, as it celebrates the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain.

A Kiribati community advocate said establishing a New Zealand climate visa now would enable slow migration and avoid a forced exodus of climate refugees.

The official cyclone season for the southwest Pacific runs from November to April. Audio