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Happy birthday Mr Holst
On this day in 1874 Gustav von Holst was born in Cheltenham, England (he dropped the von later because of World War One). Son of a notable harp composer and teacher he had the best of musical starts....
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Happy birthday Steve Reich
American minimalist composer Steve Reich was born on 3 Oct 1936 and he turns 75 today. He is one of America’s best known and most celebrated contemporary composers. He has received worldwide critical...
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Lisztomania
This year is the bicentenary of Liszt’s death and celebrations around the world are well underway. Tour companies are offering trips to places like Budapest where there are events during October as...
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President Paderewski
The great pianist, composer and Polish nationalist, Paderewski was born on this day in 1860. He had the most unusual fate to be both a famous musician and President of his country – although he fairly...
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Christmas treats
Christmas brings to mind a lot of treats, including watching the kids open their presents, good food and and atmospheric music. You may not get your choice for all of them, but you can for music. Not...
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Fritz Kreisler, boy wonder
Today is the 75th anniversary of the death of Fritz Kreisler, violinist and Viennese boy wonder. He made his debut at age 7 and was accepted into the Vienna Conservatory at the same age. All of three...
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Bruno Walter: Conductor
Bruno Walter died on this day in 1962. The life of this great conductor Bruno Walter centred around music from a young age. His musical mother taught him piano and by age nine he was ready to attend...
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Happy birthday Gareth Farr
Gareth Farr was born on this day in 1968. Back in the 70s we would have called him cool. The New Zealand composer who is a world class drummer and used to have a drag act. He already stands out from...
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Homecoming
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra is launching the Lamb & Hayward Masterworks Series on 17 March 2012 with a concert called Homecoming. It is a homecoming for two musical New Zealanders –...
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Finnish flair and the fabulous NZSO
The latest person to conduct the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is the Finnish conductor Pietari Inkinen. Inkinen has moulded the orchestra into world class performers. He has also introduced Finnish...
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Alan Broadbent – unsung New Zealand hero
The All Music Guide has called New Zealand born jazz musician Alan Broadbent: An unsung hero of acoustic piano. Broadbent has played with, and composed and arranged music for, some the greats of the...
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The Islands by Christopher Blake – free online New Zealand music
Christopher Blake, creator of The Islands was born in Christchurch in 1949. He studied music and engineering at Canterbury University and has a post graduate degree in composition from the University...
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Grant Cooper & Concord Brass: Points in a Changing Circle – Brass Music by...
On a disc with the somewhat enigmatic title, Points in a Changing Circle, American-based New Zealander Grant Cooper and his group Concord Brass perform a group of works for acoustic and electronic...
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Pink and White by Martin Setchell – free online New Zealand music
Concert organist Martin Setchell is Organ Curator of the Christchurch Town Hall, where he regularly performed on the acclaimed Rieger pipe organ. Here on Pink and White – New Zealand Organ Music,...
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Winds that Whisper by the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir – free online New...
Winds that Whisper is a collection of 20th century choral music from New Zealand’s outstanding Tower NZ Youth Choir directed by Karen Grylls. It brings together a wide range of New Zealand choral music...
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The voice inside by Lyell Cresswell – free online New Zealand music
In The voice inside, Lyell Cresswell explores the ever-changing relationship between the soprano and violin soloists and the orchestra, while Cassandra’s Songs, which also set words by Scottish poet...
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Aquarius: Music by John Ritchie – free online New Zealand music
A concert overture Papanui Road was commissioned for the Christchurch Symphony’s 25th Anniversary in 1987. The composer was John Ritchie, and Aquarius features a selection of works for string orchestra...
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A Chaos of Delight by Eve de Castro-Robinson – free online New Zealand music
A Chaos of Delight by Eve de Castro-Robinson is a collection of solo and chamber works by de Castro-Robinson includes Split the Lark, Small Blue and Tumbling Strains, while performers include Andrew...
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WHA by Moana and the Tribe – free online New Zealand music
WHA by Moana and the Tribe contains ten new songs celebrating love, protesting against free trade, acknowledging the independence struggle of Timor and paying tribute to Maori soldiers buried in...
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Te Whaiao – Te Ku Te Whe Remixed by Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns –...
The winner of Best Māori Album, NZ Music Awards in 2007, Te Whaiao – Te Ku Te Whe Remixed by Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns – Remixed by Various New Zealand Artists features artists Epsilon Blue,...
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