Robert Johnson
The Critics Chair for 25 May 2014
Robert Johnson reviews recent releases by New Zealand and Eastern European composers this week. The New Zealand Chamber Soloists have a new recording of John Psathas, and the compelling monodrama Alic… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 4 May 2014
This week Robert Johnson presents a programme in celebration of New Zealand Music Month. Hear Douglas Lilburn’s chamber music played by Justine Cormack and Michael Houstoun, and the NZSO on a new… Audio
The Critic's Chair for Sunday 13 April 2014
Robert Johnson reviews works by composers from four countries this week. The Helsinki Philharmonic performs music by Finnish composer Leevi Madetoja, and accomplished soloists Isabelle Faust… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 23 March 2014
Robert Johnson takes us on a jaunt through the Hungarian countryside in this programme, with the Dante Quartet’s new recording of the Kodály String Quartets. He also features cellist Steven Isserlis… Audio
The Critic's Chair - 2 March 2014
Robert Johnson reviews violinst Anne-Sophie Mutter’s new Dvorák disc, and New Zealand musicians Donald Maurice and Richard Mapp playing music of national identity, including Douglas Lilburn… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 1 December 2013
In a Settling the Score Live special, Robert Johnson - Music Librarian for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra - discusses his favourite commercial recordings of the top orchestral works in this… Audio
Robert Johnson: Settling the Score Live
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra music librarian talks about putting together this year's Settling the Score performance. Audio
The Critic's Chair for 10 November 2013
This week on The Critic's Chair, Robert Johnson reviews violinist Janine Jansen's new recording of Schubert and Schoenberg. He gives us his take on Britten's music for string ensemble, and the Detroit… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 20 October 2013
This week on The Critic's Chair Robert Johnson shares his thoughts on the valedictory release by the Tokyo String Quartet, and the London Philharmonic’s recording of Mahler’s Symphony No 1 in D under… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 29 September 2013
This week on The Critic's Chair, Robert Johnson reviews pianist Angela Hewitt's latest offering, Fauré Piano Music, as well as the premiere recording of Finnish composer-conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen's… Audio
The Critic's Chair for Sunday 8 September 2013
The Critic’s Chair this week explores a new recording of Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’, which Robert Johnson labels “second to none”. You’ll also hear Portuguese pianist Maria João… Audio
The Critic's Chair for Sunday 18 August 2013
This week on The Critic's Chair, Robert Johnson reviews Steven Osborne's performance of Stravinsky's music for piano and orchestra in its entirety, Gustavo Dudamel's treatment of Mahler's Ninth with… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 28 July 2013
This week on The Critic's Chair, Robert Johnson reviews the BBC Symphony Orchestra's latest in their Polish series with the works of Szymanowski, and the French Radio Philharmonic showcase the works… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 7 July 2013
The Russians are coming on The Critic's Chair this week. Robert Johnson reviews an advance copy of violinist Natalia Lomeiko's disc of Prokofiev Sonatas on the New Zealand-based Atoll label. Also, a… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 16 June 2013
This week on The Critic's Chair, Robert Johnson reviews famous orchestral interludes by Richard Wagner played the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Iván Fischer, and the latest release of… Audio
Hans Werner Henze (1926–2012)
Robert Johnson introduces the music of the German composer. Audio
The Critic's Chair - Rite of Spring
Robert Johnson reviews a new interpretation of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Simon Rattle. Audio
The Critic's Chair for Sunday 26 May 2013
Robert Johnson reviews three discs that include a rare performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto under Daniel Barenboim with American cello sensation Alisa Weilerstein, a single-disc collection of… Audio
The Critic's Chair for 5 May 2013
British pianist Martin Roscoe plays of Dohnányi's solo piano music, and the Rome Symphony Orchestra gives world premiere performances of works by Italian composer Petyrassi. German violinist Julia… Audio