Features

Indian classical musician Ustad Fazal Qureshi is in New Zealand for a concert in honour of his brother and fellow tabla player, Ustad Zakir Hussain. Video, Audio

NZSO trombonist and Wellington Brass music director Dave Bremner talks about his latest project, helping to set up a National Youth Brass Band in Tonga. Audio

Brian Castles-Onion and Madeleine Pierard talk to RNZ Concert ahead of Wellington Opera's production of Verdi's "A Masked Ball". Audio

Ahead of her concert with the Auckland Philharmonia, Korean guitarist Jiji talks about being comfortable playing acoustic and electric. Video, Audio

New Zealand opera singer Felicity Tomkins talks with RNZ Concert's Andrew Clark about some of her career highlights so far, and 'Opera in the Cathedral': a showcase of outstanding young emerging operatic talents in Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral. Audio

Hymns inspired by Psalm 150, Praise God in his sanctuary, feature in this week’s programme. Audio

Russian-born cellist Lev Sivkov talks about his latest tour of New Zealand playing chamber music and the solo role in Britten's Cello Symphony. Audio

Icelandic composer and techno musician Ólafur Arnalds talks to RNZ Concert ahead of a one-off gig at Auckland's Power Station. Video, Audio

Kiwi bassoon player Charlotte Naden talks about her "hobby" which will soon see her playing the fiddle at this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Video, Audio

The United Nations' highest court has found that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions, in a ruling highly anticipated by Pacific countries long frustrated with the pace of global action to address climate change. Audio

The Prayer of St Francis is a lovely peace prayer that came to be attributed to the saint around 1920, when somebody had it printed on the back of card with St Francis’s picture on it. When South African songwriter Sebastian Temple adapted the words of the prayer and set them to music by in the 1960s, he kept the St Francis attribution along with his own title: Make me a channel of your peace. Audio

Chris Faiumu, founder of one of Aotearoa's most successful bands, died unexpectedly this week. He leaves a rich musical legacy as a DJ, producer, and founding member of the Roots Foundation and Fat Freddy's Drop.

Singer and composer Geneva AM and arranger and double bass player Eric Scholes talk about turning an electro-waiata into a striking piece of classical chamber music. Video, Audio

Ahead of this year's National Concert Band Festival, its coordinator James Bevin talks with RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump. Video, Audio

Abhinath Berry didn't start having regular piano lessons until his mid/late teens. Now he's on the cusp of a professional career.  Video, Audio

Distinguished Spanish pianist Javier Perianes makes a welcome return to our shores this month to play with the NZSO and the Auckland Philharmonia. He talks about the music he will perform for New Zealand audiences. Video, Audio

The Uganda-based musician is back in Aotearoa touring an all-French recital for Chamber Music New Zealand.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square was founded over a century ago in Utah, USA, and has over 300 members. In this week's programme, you can hear this impressive choir sing the spiritual Who'll be a witness for my Lord, and Emma Lou Thayne's hymn Where can I turn for peace. Audio

Nick Tipping checks out jazz tunes which describe evoke cities and streets, including Jonathan Crayford's 'Skyscraper Scaffold', Duke Ellington's 'Sidewalks of New York', and Myele Manzanza's 'Brixton Blues'. Audio

Punjabi pop and hip hop are gaining momentum in New Zealand, with a new generation of artists fusing high-energy beats, bilingual lyrics and references to cities, cars and designer labels with South Asian heritage to connect with increasingly diverse audiences.

It's all about the flute in Hamilton this weekend. RNZ Concert's Andrew Clark speaks with the festival's founder, Kathryn Orbell. Video, Audio

DJ Algoodie remembers the time he played at a rugby league game and thousands of voices joined in to sing.

Award-winning English composer Howard Goodall is responsible for the music to many well-known TV series, including Mr Bean, The Vicar of Dibley and Blackadder. In this week's programme, you can hear his setting of Charles Wesley’s hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.  Audio

Wellington saxophonist Jake Baxendale's new album evokes soft rain, vibrant new growth, and the wonderment of contemplating nature. Audio