New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Ashburn

Since the mid-20th century, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has generally been considered the finest full-scale symphony orchestra from New Zealand. Holding the status as the national orchestra of New Zealand, it is government-funded and thus less constrained by commercial factors that hamper independent ensembles. The NZSO consists of about 90 players and performs its 100-plus yearly concerts throughout New Zealand, with a larger portion of its programs presented in the cities of Wellington, where it is based, and Auckland. Its Wellington concerts are presented in two locations, Wellington Town Hall and the Michael Fowler Centre. The NZSO travels to as many as 30 New Zealand cities in a typical concert season and occasionally goes on tour overseas. It has made numerous recordings over the years, but has only recently become a familiar name to record buyers in Europe and the Americas. The group has recorded for several labels, including <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22BMG%22">BMG</a>, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Koch+International%22">Koch International</a>, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Sony+Classical%22">Sony Classical</a>, and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Naxos%22">Naxos</a>. 

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, known as the National Orchestra until 1975, was founded in 1946, but did not give its inaugural concert until March 6 of the following year. From 1946 to 1989 it functioned under the aegis of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, but since the latter year has been independent of that broadcast network, serving under a government-appointed board of directors instead. 

The orchestra functioned for most of its existence without an official music director. In 1999 that practice ended when English conductor <a href="spotify:artist:3bRgHXc5F81fdXrdh5jpz5">James Judd</a> was named the NZSO's first music director. Previous conductors were called resident conductors and included James Robertson (1954-1977), <a href="spotify:artist:3fXpBRATefrfXUKltguUSC">John Hopkins</a> (1957-1963), Juan Matteucci (1964-1999), and Brian Priestman (1973-1975).

Priestman's tenure was notable for its inaugural foreign tour, which involved a series of concerts in Australia. Upon his departure, the National Orchestra took its current name and until 1999 used only principal conductors and guest conductors. <a href="spotify:artist:3bRgHXc5F81fdXrdh5jpz5">Judd</a> served as music director until 2007. During his eight years on the podium many prominent soloists appeared with the NZSO, including <a href="spotify:artist:3fcsflK8xu26XH4OYTcm5T">Dame Kiri Te Kanawa</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1YZhNFBxkEB5UKTgMDvot4">Lang Lang</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:5JdT0LYJdlPbTC58p60WTX">Hilary Hahn</a>. Finland native <a href="spotify:artist:7HSpdA66WWQUOz9ERNCvL1">Pietari Inkinen</a> was named <a href="spotify:artist:3bRgHXc5F81fdXrdh5jpz5">Judd</a>'s successor, effective January 2008. Important recordings by the NZSO for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Naxos%22">Naxos</a> include the 2002 CD of Symphonies No. 1-3 by New Zealander <a href="spotify:artist:4H2yWJyi4ZSNoacoEbiAzQ">Douglas Lilburn</a>, the 2005 DVD of orchestral works by <a href="spotify:artist:7wNkISK49lKeXuRaZcQVFe">Vaughan Williams</a>, both led by <a href="spotify:artist:3bRgHXc5F81fdXrdh5jpz5">James Judd</a>, and the 2011 album, The Emperor and the Nightingale, by New Zealander <a href="spotify:artist:0dAT9aJTIAHfIoZQRMqS4G">Jenny McLeod</a>, led by Uwe Grodd.

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NZSO Benjamin on Britten

Mātātoa | Intrepid Adventures 2024

Town and Country

Town and Country - Relaxed Concert

NZSO Poem of Ecstasy

NZSO Become Ocean

Bernstein &amp; Copland: Til time shall end will be performed in Wellington on 01 Sep 2023 and in Auckland on 02 Sep 2023. Get tickets at nzso.co.nz

Bernstein & Copland: Til time shall end

NZSO Relaxed Concert

NZSO Baroque Innovations

NZSO Bright Sparks

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Miklós Rózsa: Violin Concerto, Theme and Variations, Vintner's Daughter, Hungarian Nocturne

The Essential New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Mana Moana (Live at Michael Fowler Centre)

Goodwin: Drake 400 Suite, Main Title Theme (From "633 Squadron") & Other Orchestral Works

Elgar & Farr: Cello Concertos

R. Strauss: Tanzsuite & Divertimento aus Klavierstücken von François Couperin

Douglas Lilburn: Orchestral Music

Christopher Blake: Symphony - Voices (Live)

British Music for Viola Concertos

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 2 & Concert Fantasia

Michael F. Williams: Symphony No. 1 "Letters from the Front"

Michael F. Williams: Symphony No. 1 "Letters from the Front"

Barber Adagio

Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44, TH 60: III. Allegro con fuoco

Farr: Te Papa