John Amis

Few British composers have responded as deeply to world events as Michael Tippett. His oratorio A Child of our Time, was an impassioned protest against the persecution and tyranny he saw happening… Audio

In this personal portrait of Benjamin Britten, recorded in 1981, John Amis reflects on how different Britten's output might have been had he never met his lifelong partner, tenor Peter Pears, for whom… Audio

John Amis knew William Walton well and had interviewed him several times before this portrait, recorded in 1981. As a young man Walton was accepted into the home of the illustrious Sitwell family… Audio

Just over a hundred years ago Igor Stravinsky attended the premieres of his controversial ballets The Firebird, Petrushka and The Rite of Spring when they were performed to Paris audiences. And a… Audio

John Amis looks at the colourful and sometimes eccentric Percy Grainger, a world famous pianist, teacher and writer, who today is known mainly for his folk song arrangements. Recorded in 1981 (RNZ). Audio

In 1985 John Amis recorded a 13-part series Amiscellany for RNZ Concert recalling some of the music and personalities he had encountered on his travels as a wandering miscellanist. In Crrrrrrr-RITic… Audio