Crump's Classical Conversation

Music is the best medicine? The New Zealand Doctors' Orchestra thinks so. We speak to Rural GP and piano soloist Dr Ben Booker. More about the NZ Doctor’s Orchestra and its concerts here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Ariana Tikao talks about the many strands of her musical life; from Kapa Haka to western classical music, from Taonga Pūoro to the Appalachian Dulcimer. Watch a performance of Manaaki here . Watch He Poroporoaki here Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sam Auger, from the Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra, helps the Martinborough Music Festival with a songwriting project for the district's school children. Relive a bit of Wellington Ukelele joy here . Martinborough Music Festival’s school outreach programme . Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tongan New Zealand star tenor Filipe Manu is back in New Zealand to sing in Bizet's The Pearl Fishers with NZ Opera. But he's also got a date with his old Dilworth School choir, where his singing career began. Watch Filipe Manu singing the beautiful Tongan song “Efiafi peau ongo’i vale”. Filipe rocking Bizet’s big number from The Pearl Fishers. Watch Dilworth’s school choir Fortissimo. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

George Wills introduces us to his theorbo; the grand-daddy of the lute family. Unpacking a theorbo Watch a bit of Kapsberger here! Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Chinese-New Zealand pianist Tony Chen-Lin is back in the country, and he's brought a cellist friend with him, Hungarian Balázs Dolfin. Together they are the Dolfin-Lin Duo. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

NZSO principal clarinet Patrick Barry is coming down to the front of the stage to play Copland's Clarinet Concerto. Watch a performance of Copland’s Clarinet Concerto here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Christchurch's All Girl Big Band is ten years old. We celebrate with its founder Lana Law. Watch the All Girl Big Band in action here . Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kate Goldstone, musician and a cardiac anaesthetist, talks about the link between music, emotion and the heart. The heartbeat opening of Mahler’s 9th symphony Go to the ten-minute spot to hear the fading heartbeat of Tchaikovsky’s 6th More on the Hush Music label. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The movie music of John Williams is a film star in its own right. Stéphane Denève is in the country to conduct the Auckland Philharmonia in two concerts of film scores by the great composer, who just happens to be a friend as well. Renaud Capuçon plays the main theme from Schindler's List here . Stéphane Denève in conversation with John Williams Watch Stéphane Denève conduct Bernard Herrmann’s Vertigo score here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's over a decade since Chinese composer Gao Ping returned home after teaching at Canterbury University, but his ties with Aotearoa remain strong. He was back in the country recently for the release of a new album of his piano music recorded by Michael Houstoun. Michael Houstoun plays a track off Gao Ping’s new album . Michael Houstoun plays another tra ck off Gao Ping’s new album. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

He cut his musical teeth in Columbian street bands. These days Christchurch Symphony Orchestra principal bass trombonist Pablo Ruiz Henao is happy to take a back seat mostly, but this year he's getting a solo role out front. Watch Pablo performing here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tongan violinist Peau Halapua's love of classical music hasn't overshadowed the love she has for her own culture. Listen to the violinist who captivated a six-year-old Peau Watch Peau performing with Gevena Am. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Orchestra and chorus members agree; Romain Dumas is a lovely conductor to work with. We were charmed too when we spoke with him during his stint directing Wellington Opera's Manon. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

One of America's finest youth choirs comes to sing with some of our best. Between gigs Bryan catches up with the Cameron LaBarr, music director of the Missouri State University Chorale, and tour manager Destiny Romero. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Composer Keith Moss talks to us about his big break, getting to write an opera for Vienna's Summer Music Festival. Listen to Keith's Overture for an Unwritten Opera here. Listen to Keith's "Chamber Dances". Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A billion streams and counting. Pasifika composer Opetaia Foa'i talks about the phenomenal success of his Moana hit 'We Know The Way'. Watch a video of "We know the Way". Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After spending most of this century working with some of the best orchestras in Europe, Australian cellist Martin Smith is back down under with the NZ String Quartet. Check out NZ String Quartet gigs here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's been a busy 11 years since former NZSO music director Pietari Inkinen was last with the band, including directing Wagner's Ring Cycle at Bayreuth, and getting a house in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Check out Pietari's home base here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Norman Meehan has been setting the poetry of Bill Manhire to music for vocalist Hannah Griffin to sing since 2010. Their fifth and latest collaboration; Little Prayers is out now. Listen to Hannah Griffin sing Huia Hannah Griffin sings Little Prayers Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details