New Zealand Music
New work by David Hamilton to premiere this week
New Zealand composer David Hamilton will have his new work Homecoming – Te Hokinga Mai has its orchestral premiere in Auckland this weekend. Audio
Live: Kora at WOMAD 2019
Kora is one of Aotearoa's most respected live bands whose music includes elements of reggae, rock, dub roots and hard-out space-funk! Audio
Farr adds soundtrack to Dylan Thomas' words
New Zealand composer Gareth Farr explains how he's added a stunning soundscape to Dylan Thomas' words for Under Milkwood. Audio
Different cultures deliver an ode to the moon
People from a range of cultures will join together this weekend to share an Ode to the Moon. Video, Audio
Ross HARRIS: Brass Poppies
Brass Poppies is a chamber opera from the productive partnership between composer Ross Harris and librettist Vincent O'Sullivan. It focuses on the disastrous Gallipoli campaign and the fate of the… Video, Audio
NZ music given $2.6 million boost in new budget
The funding will go towards increasing support for skills development, and taking NZ music overseas.
Upbeat for Tuesday 15 May
Composer and now Professor Anthony Ritchie discusses whether composing music constitutes research, we discover which Wes Anderson movie Beethoven’s 7th symphony appeared in, and we hear a Kronos…
Burning Up Years: Wellington's live music scene 1960-78
Yadana Saw heads down to Wellington Museum for a sneak peak ahead of the opening of Burning Up Years - an exhibition showcasing New Zealand music made in 1960-78. Audio
Kiwi classic ENZSO's makeover
Split Enz and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra joined forces 21 years ago to perform and record some of the best known Kiwi hits. ENZSO is now returning, in a smaller set up, with original ENZSO… Video, Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 3 May
It’s been 21 years since ENZSO. Eddie Rayner shares his memories. How common music experiences can help grow parental-child relationships, Soprano Nadine Sierra and young conductor Ryan Bancroft wins…
Have sticks will travel
Drummer Chris O’Connor is one of the country’s busiest musicians. O’Connor shares some of his favourite music and tells Eva Radich about the joy he has as a live performer despite the frenetic… Audio
Upbeat for Monday 23 April
Why are artists giving back Echo awards, we mark NZ Dance week, Elizabeth Kerr reviews the NZSO’s Berlioz, Debussy & Ravel programme, the Behn Quartet talk about their tour of New Zealand and we… Video
All by myself: three local musicians describe the transition from bedroom to stage
Getting up on stage for the first time is a terrifying experience – especially for solo musicians. We speak to locals Estere, Fazerdaze and Kane Strang about what it's like making the transition from… Video
Coming up
Headless Chickens to receive Classic Record gong at this year's Taite Music Prize
Headless Chickens are to receive the Classic Record award for their 1988 album Stunt Clown at this year's Taite Music Prize. Video
Coming up
Reviews: Auckland Arts Festival
The Auckland Arts Festival comes to a close this Sunday, and has provided a feast of visual, musical and theatrical arts. Justin Gregory reviews the highly anticipated Love Me as I Am – a celebration… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 8 March
We celebrate International Women’s Day with NZSO harpist Carolyn Mills, we discuss the importance of Kate Sheppard’s influence on music, and play a wide selection of music composed, performed and…
Six classical Kiwi tunes that define NZ
What classical Kiwi tune defines New Zealand? Upbeat asks the audience. Video
A New Zealand Partita
Pianist Stephen De Pledge brings alive new pieces written by seven Kiwi composers who were inspired by JS Bach’s Partita no. 3 in A minor. He discusses how this 18th-century musical form has been… Audio
VIDEO: Jocee Tuck performs 'Made to be' live
Auckland folk musician Jocee Tuck performs her latest single 'Made to Be', from her album Mt Dora with an eclectic range of instruments including her gorgeous xylophone. Video, Audio
She Will Move You - Peach Milk
We profile Wellington producer Peach Milk, as part of RNZ Music's ongoing series 'She Will Move You', which looks at women electronic producers in Aotearoa. Audio