Philip Norman
Philip Norman looks back on our earliest composers
When immigrants arrived in New Zealand in the Nineteenth Century, they brought with them some enthusiastic musician / composers. Their success rate was a bit hit or miss, according to composer and… Audio
MUSOC celebrates 50 years of musical theatre
The University of Canterbury Musical Theatre Society has performed around 80 productions over its 50-year history, and many of the members involved on and off stage are about to gather for a reunion… Audio, Gallery
John Ritchie remembered
We're celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of New Zealand composer and educator Professor John Ritchie on 29 September 1921. Upbeat talks with John’s son, Anthony, and biographer Philip… Video, Audio
Resilience - A symphonic diary of a difficult decade
Philip Norman's new work for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra marks the ten-year anniversary of the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and premieres in the orchestra's 2021 Season opener this weekend. Audio
Old guard vs avant-garde in The Pleasure Garden
Christchurch composer Philip Norman conducts the Jubilate Singers this weekend in performances of his operetta The Pleasure Garden. Audio
Philip NORMAN: A Short Suite
Sw!tch: Logan Glasson (baritone sax), Sarah Vergeer (tenor sax), Claire Elliott (alto sax), Alice Morgan (soprano sax). Recorded by RNZ Concert, 31 July 2010 Audio
Philip NORMAN: Birthday Music
Hugh Roberts (flute). Recorded by RNZ Concert, 1 September 2011 Audio
Philip NORMAN: Plato's Cave
Reuben Chin (saxophone), Peter Barber (viola), Jian Liu (piano). Recorded by RNZ Concert, 20 November 2013 Audio
NZ Biography: Douglas Lilburn
He's been described as "the father of New Zealand composition" Douglas Lilburn was a composer, conductor, critic and teacher whose work earned him our highest award - the Order of New Zealand. Video, Audio
Philip NORMAN: Fanfare for Dame Silvia Cartwright
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Marc Taddei (conductor). Recorded by RNZ Concert for the 2018 NZ Composer Sessions. Video, Audio
Philip NORMAN: And soon it will be dawn
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Marc Taddei (conductor). Recorded by RNZ Concert for the 2018 NZ Composer Sessions. Video, Audio
Philip NORMAN: Changing Lanes
Diedre Irons (piano). Recorded by RNZ Concert, 6 March 2005. Audio
Community orchestra celebrates silver jubilee
The Risingholme Orchestra is a community symphony orchestra, based in Christchurch, and musicians range from the age of 18 through to 98. Audio, Gallery
PHILIP NORMAN: Earthquake: 22.2.11
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Philip Aldridge (narrator), Hamish McKeich (conductor). Recorded by RNZ Concert for the 2014 NZ Composer Sessions. Audio
Philip NORMAN: When Gravity Fails
Bryony Gibson-Cornish (viola), New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Hamish McKeich (conductor) Recorded 12 April 2017, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert for 2017 NZ Composer Sessions. Video, Audio
Classics and commissions
Pianist Denes Varjon is back with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra for the first time since its 2012 Mozart Festival. The award winning pianist will perform Beethoven’s first Piano Concerto. The… Audio
Creating with the composer
What does it take to compose an original piece in just 10 days? Prolific Christchurch composer Philip Norman takes Upbeat through the creative process behind his new piece written while he was the… Audio
Philip NORMAN: Canterbury Rhythms
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra conducted by Max McBride. Recorded by Radio New Zealand Concert on 14th October 1989. World premiere performance in Christchurch Town Hall. Audio
Lilburn's Legacy - Philip Norman
Tim Dodd talks to Philip Norman about the inspiration he's taken from Douglas Lilburn. Followed by Norman's "Murphy's Law" for saxophone and piano performed by Rompduo. Audio