Leonard Bernstein
BERNSTEIN: Serenade
Performed by James Ehnes with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Giordano Bellincampi at their Premier Series concert 'Star-Crossed Lovers', Auckland Town Hall, 1 December 2022. Audio
What impact does a conductor really have on an orchestra?
Norman Lebrecht, the well-known UK musical critic, has recently claimed that the appointment of chief conductors has little impact on the performance of orchestras. Music Director Gemma New joins the… Audio
Bernstein Covered
With Leonard Bernstein's big hundredth birthday this year, it's time to open the Bernstein songbook and see what various interpreters have done. William Dart unearths versions by Nina Simone, Kiri Te… Audio
Grunge, classical music and Leonard Bernstein
NZSO guest conductor Brett Mitchell explains what classical music, grunge, and musical theatre have in common and what composer Leonard Bernstein has to do with it. Audio
Upbeat for Wednesday 9 May
What’s going on with the English National Opera banning food in the London Coliseum; we hear some of Teddy Tahu Rhodes’ new album; Bernstein and Vivaldi with NZSO guest conductor Brett Mitchell, and…
Morgan James - Singing Bernstein
New York-based soul singer, songwriter, and Broadway performer Morgan James is coming to Aotearoa this month to perform with the NZSO in its Bernstein at 100 concerts. As well as performing with… Audio
Candide - Too Much Genius?
Voltaire's 18th century satirical novella takes the central character through a tumultuous series of adventures in a parody of the classic adventure-romance plot, all testing the philosophy of… Audio
West Side Story music keeps the fire alive
Donald Chan has conducted more than 3000 performances of West Side Story. You’d think after so many repetitions the novelty would wear off. But the music keeps the spark alive for the Music Director… Audio
Progress, Patriotism & Protest - Part 2
The second of three programmes in which Matthew Crawford navigates the turbulent confluence of music and politics in 20th century America. A national anthem at last, music for war, Strange Fruit in… Audio