Features

In 1961, a singer from the small Taranaki town of Manaia had a number one hit in Sweden with a song sung largely in te reo Māori, but few people in New Zealand heard this record at the time or knew anything about Jay Epae’s success.

Universal Veil is a new work by composer and sound designer Mika Cornelius. It's inspired by the world of fungi and their life cycles. Video, Audio

The Season of Creation has begun, and we’re celebrating with hymns including How great thou art, For the beauty of the earth, and Shirley Murray’s Touch the earth lightly. Audio

A new album by Melbourne musicians Michelle Nicolle and Paul Grabowsky combines stunning musicianship with a melancholy vibe. Audio

Pacific Islands Forum leaders are en route to the Solomon Islands for their annual meeting, which kicks off Monday. Audio

Pianists Beth Chen and Nicole Chao (Duo Enharmonics) with be performing a two-piano concerto by Felix Mendelssohn this weekend with the Wairua Sinfonietta. Audio

Mahler's Sixth Symphony asks for a percussion instrument so unusual, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra made its own. RNZ Concert followed the construction and testing of Mahler's hammer and block. Video, Audio

Antipodes Quartet is the first ensemble to take part in the Fellowship Programme, which is facilitated and mentored by New Zealand String Quartet, Chamber Music New Zealand and Adam Chamber Music Festival. The quartet came into RNZ to chat with Bryan Crump and play some music. Audio

In this week’s programme, you can hear a spine-tingling rendition of Joseph Parry’s Aberystwyth played by Christchurch band Woolston Brass. Audio

Music educator and choral conductor Shona Murray talks with RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump about secondary school choral festival The Big Sing and its beginnings, and the essential role of music in our lives. Video, Audio

Violinist Simeon Broom grew up in Mt Eden and had the vision of creating a local festival there along the lines of the European festivals he'd played in. The Festival celebrates 10 years this weekend.  Audio

"I always say, 'Everyone loves classical music, only some don't know about it yet', and I feel it is my mission to let people know about it." Dutch conductor Antony Hermus talks with RNZ Concert. Audio

Jazz drummer Greg Crayford is getting ready to lead celebrations of two decades of his jazz residency at Wellington bar The Realm. Audio

Since the kids' puppet show first aired in 1969, its sophisticated songs have lived rent-free in many a brain. The songs delivered little shots of pure joy into our lives....and continue to comfort and delight the young people we cherish today.

Cellist András Fejér, the last remaining original member of the Takács Quartet, speaks to RNZ Concert ahead of the ensemble's 50th anniversary tour of New Zealand. Video, Audio

‘Hymns by Tims’ feature in this week’s programme: English hymn writer Timothy Dudley-Smith, and Timothy Rees (Bishop of Llandaff in the 1930s). Audio

Composer Bjorn Arntsen has a cure for earworms: recycle them into a new piece. Audio

Philip Norman prepares to lead Christchurch choir Jubilate Voices in a celebration of Canterbury words and music. Audio

Carolyn Mills looks back on more than three decades as Principal Harp with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Audio

We're marking the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of God, in this week's programme with hymns including Immaculate Mary and Ka Waiata. Audio

Penny Axtens is the latest composer-in-residence at the former home of Douglas Lilburn. Audio

Bass Morgan-Andrew King talks with David Morriss about why a career in opera is for him, and where it's taken him so far. Video, Audio

Auckland Philharmonia musician Alex Jeantou is taking his tuba on a tour of the town. Audio

Marc Feldman, the new Chief Executive of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and André de Ridder, its Music Director Designate, talk with RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump. Audio