Clarissa Dunn
Dame Kiri's 80th birthday, a day of celebration
On Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's 80th birthday, RNZ Concert presenter Clarissa Dunn joins Jesse to share magical moments from Dame Kiri's career including recordings of the young star on the rise and… Video, Audio
Beethoven’s Symphony #5 with Teuila Blakely
Actress and producer Teuila Blakely reveals how the music of Beethoven sustained her in the face of prejudice and racism. Audio
Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor with Morgan Leary
Musician Morgan Leary discusses the influence of the famous British composer, Edward Elgar, on her musical development and with NZSO cellist Elizabeth Patchett revisits Jacqueline du Pre's stunning… Audio
The ENZO version of Split Enz with Eddie Rayner
Legendary Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner explains the genesis of ENZSO, a musical collaboration between the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and a roster of well known singers performing new… Audio
Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz with Miranda Harcourt
Celebrated actor, director and acting coach Miranda Harcourt explores her sense of connection with Symphonie Fantastique by French composer Hector Berlioz, and NZSO bassoonist David Angus gives an… Audio
Johan Halvorsen’s Passacaglia with Emma Dias
Year 12 music student Emma Dias explains her connection with the Passacaglia For Violin and Viola by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen and describes how she was introduced to the piece by her violin… Audio
Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf with Karen O Leary
Actor Karen O Leary explains her connection with Peter and the Wolf - a beloved piece of music written originally for children, while NZSO flutist Bridget Douglas explains the challenges that come… Audio
Schubert with Dr Graeme Downes
Rock and roll star turned musicologist Graeme Downes gives a masterful breakdown of the enduring brilliance of Schubert's Symphony #9 in C major, and why it’s had a hold on his heart all these years… Audio
The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky with Witi Ihimaera
One of our most celebrated authors, Witi Ihimaera, recalls how his life changed when he first heard The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, as a young boy listening to a record player in Gisborne. And NZSO… Audio
Nimrod with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
One of Aotearoa's legendary performers, opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, describes the complicated feelings of homesickness stirred in her by Elgar's "Nimrod" while NZSO cellist Brigid O'Meeghan… Audio
Beethoven's Choral Symphony with Dame Patsy Reddy
Dame Patsy Reddy talks about the enduring power of Beethoven’s famous choral symphony, and NZSO conductor Gemma New explains why the symphony packs such an unforgettable emotional punch. Audio
2022 Lexus Song Quest Grand Final, Part Two
Lexus Song Quest 2022 Grand Final - Part Two Audio
2022 Lexus Song Quest Grand Final, Part One
Lexus Song Quest 2022 Grand Final - Part One Video, Audio
Teddy Tahu Rhodes: staying sincere to the music
The Lexus Song Quest 2022 judge talks with Clarissa Dunn about his singing career following his first prize win in the 1991 contest, and how a comment from the judge has stayed with him and held true… Audio
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 2, Part Two
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 2, Part Two Audio
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 2, Part One
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 2, Part One Audio
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 1, Part Two: Arias
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 1, Part Two: Arias Audio
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 1, Part One: Songs/Lieder
2022 Lexus Song Quest Semi-Final 1, Part One: Songs/Lieder Audio
Judging the Lexus Song Quest
New Zealand bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes talks with Clarissa Dunn about what he’ll be looking for as the adjudicator of this year’s Lexus Song Quest. Audio
A slice of Woodenhead Reimagined - a remix album inspired by the "Grimm musical fairytale"
Clarissa Dunn introduces three tracks from Woodenhead Reimagined, an album of remixes by an eclectic collection of New Zealand musicians inspired by the film soundtrack Marc Chesterman originally… Audio