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

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is this country's only professional full-size orchestra. 

One of the world's oldest national symphony orchestras, we've been delighting audiences with memorable concerts and recordings since 1947.

Celebrate the Christmas season with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. This Advent Calendar playlist features festive favourites, timeless carols and seasonal orchestral music performed by NZSO musicians. Discover a new piece each day and enjoy the warmth, joy and tradition of Christmas through orchestral sound.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Follow NZSO
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #ChristmasMusic #AdventCalendar #ChristmasClassical #OrchestralChristmas #FestiveMusic #ClassicalMusic #HolidayMusic #AotearoaNewZealand

Advent Calendar | Christmas Music | NZSO

Learn directly from NZSO musicians and guest artists in this Masterclasses playlist. These sessions offer in-depth insight into technique, interpretation and professional practice, providing valuable guidance for students, emerging musicians and anyone interested in the craft behind orchestral performance.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #Masterclasses #MusicEducation #OrchestralTraining #ClassicalMusic #MusicStudents #BehindTheMusic #AotearoaNewZealand

Masterclasses | NZSO

Experience the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra live from the stage and beyond. This playlist brings together a collection of full concert livestreams — showcasing world-class performances from Aotearoa’s national orchestra.

From timeless symphonic masterworks to groundbreaking contemporary premieres, each stream captures the energy, precision, and artistry of the NZSO and its guest artists, live and unfiltered.

Watch more on NZSO+
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Follow NZSO
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #LiveStream #Orchestra #LiveConcert #AotearoaMusic #Symphony #LatitudeCreative #RNZConcert #MichaelFowlerCentre #NewZealandMusic #RNZ

Live Streams

Showcasing the future of orchestral excellence, this Emerging Artists playlist features performances from the NZSO’s annual concert series where outstanding young New Zealand musicians are selected to perform as concerto soloists and alongside the orchestra. From virtuosic solo works to ensemble highlights, these performances celebrate the talent, ambition and musical promise of the next generation of classical artists. 

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Follow NZSO
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Facebook – https://facebook.com/nzsymphonyorchestra
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.gov.nz

#NZSO #EmergingArtists #YoungMusicians #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralSoloists #FutureStars #AotearoaNewZealand #MusicEducation #LiveOrchestra #ConcertoPerformances #YouthTalent #OrchestralMusic

Emerging Artists | NZSO

Celebrate the sound of Aotearoa in this NZ Music playlist, featuring works by New Zealand composers and performances that reflect the country’s diverse musical voices. From contemporary orchestral writing to taonga-inspired sound worlds and bold new perspectives, these performances showcase how New Zealand stories and identities are expressed through symphonic music.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Follow NZSO
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #NZMusic #NewZealandMusic #AotearoaNewZealand #NZComposers #ContemporaryClassical #OrchestralMusic #CulturalIdentity

Aotearoa New Zealand Music | NZSO

This NYO playlist highlights performances from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s National Youth Orchestra — an annual programme that brings together Aotearoa’s best young musicians to rehearse and perform a full symphonic repertoire under professional conductors and alongside guest artists. Experience the passion, energy and artistry of emerging orchestral talent as they tackle powerful repertoire, world-premiere works and stunning ensemble performances that showcase the future of New Zealand’s classical music. 

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.gov.nz

#NZSO #NYO #NationalYouthOrchestra #YouthOrchestra #YoungMusicians #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralMusic #AotearoaNewZealand #EmergingTalent #Symphony #ConcertHighlights #MusicEducation

NYO | NZSO National Youth Orchestra

This NZ Youth Composers playlist showcases original works by young composers from across Aotearoa New Zealand. Featuring premieres and performances supported by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, these pieces highlight fresh musical voices, bold ideas and the next generation shaping the future of New Zealand composition.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #NZYouthComposers #YoungComposers #NewZealandMusic #AotearoaNewZealand #ContemporaryClassical #EmergingComposers #OrchestralPremiere

NZ Youth Composers | NZSO

Beyond Words features performances from the NZSO’s powerful symphonic concert created to express peace, unity and solidarity through music. Originally presented in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the programme brings together diverse musical traditions and artists including Moroccan vocalist OUM, oud virtuoso Kyriakos Tapakis and compositions by Valerie Coleman, Reza Vali, Arvo Pärt and world-premiere work Ahlan wa Sahlan by John Psathas, written to honour lives changed by the Christchurch Mosque attacks and promote connection beyond language. 

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #BeyondWords #UnityThroughMusic #AhlanwaSahlan #JohnPsathas #OUM #KyriakosTapakis #OrchestralConcert #ClassicalMusic #AotearoaNewZealand #PeaceAndSolidarity #ChristchurchTribute

Beyond Words | NZSO

Explore how composers have captured the changing seasons in music. This Four Seasons playlist brings together works inspired by spring, summer, autumn and winter, spanning Baroque, classical and contemporary repertoire performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. From vivid nature scenes to atmospheric reflections, these performances reveal how the cycle of the year has shaped musical storytelling across time.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #FourSeasons #SeasonalMusic #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralMusic #NatureInMusic #AotearoaNewZealand

The Four Seasons | NZSO

Mana Moana celebrates the rich musical traditions of the Pacific through a fusion of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Signature Choir. Featuring powerful performances of traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, this playlist showcases Pasifika voices, lush choral harmony and orchestral colour in a unique cultural experience that honours connection, identity and community through music. 

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+:
https://nzso.co.nz/plus

Follow NZSO
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Instagram – https://instagram.com/nzsymphonyorchestra
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Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #ManaMoana #PasifikaMusic #SignatureChoir #PacificSongs #OrchestralMusic #ChoralMusic #AotearoaNewZealand #PacificCulture #LiveOrchestra #CulturalCelebration #PasifikaVoices

Mana Moana | NZSO

NZSO Concert

NZSO ENGAGE@Home

Music for Your Mother

Happy Birthday Mr. Adams!

NZSO at 70

Mozart & Beethoven

Mozart & Elgar

Bold Worlds: New Frontiers

Learn more about playing as part of an orchestra with members of the NZSO.

Learning with the NZSO

NZSO 2014 Season

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performs Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), Op. 40 by Richard Strauss, conducted by Stéphane Denève.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+: https://nzso.co.nz/plus

Composer: Richard Strauss
Conductor: Stéphane Denève
Concertmaster: Vesa-Matti Leppänen
Orchestra: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Vision Production: Latitude Creative
Audio Production: RNZ Concert

Follow NZSO
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Production Partners
RNZ Concert – https://rnz.co.nz/concert
Latitude Creative – https://latitudecreative.co.nz

Supported by the New Zealand Government through Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#nzso #RichardStrauss #EinHeldenleben #AHerosLife #StéphaneDenevè #VesaMattiLeppänen #LatitudeCreative #RNZ #RNZConcert #ClassicalMusic #Orchestra #AotearoaMusic #TonePoem

R. Strauss – Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) | NZSO ft. Stéphane Denève #RichardStrauss

Watch the full performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons: Spring (La primavera) here: https://youtu.be/fEoXt6_M8fQ

A short excerpt from Antonio Vivaldi’s Spring, performed by players of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, led by Vesa-Matti Leppänen and featuring Anna van der Zee as soloist. Recorded during a relaxed session capturing the light and vitality of this iconic work.

Soloist: Anna van der Zee
Led by: Vesa-Matti Leppänen
Performed by: Players of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Vision Production: Latitude Creative
Audio Production: RNZ Concert


Watch more on NZSO+
https://nzso.co.nz/plus

Follow NZSO
Website: https://nzso.co.nz
Facebook: https://facebook.com/nzsymphonyorchestra
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X (Twitter): https://x.com/nzso
Spotify: https://nzso.co.nz/spotify

Production Partners
RNZ Concert – https://rnz.co.nz/concert
Latitude Creative – https://latitudecreative.co.nz

Supported by the New Zealand Government through
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #Vivaldi #FourSeasons #Spring #LaPrimavera #AnnaVanderZee #VesaMattiLeppanen #Shorts #Violin #BaroqueMusic #Orchestra #LivePerformance #LatitudeCreative #RNZConcert #AotearoaMusic

Vivaldi – Spring | NZSO ft. Anna van der Zee #Vivaldi #FourSeasons #Spring

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performs Der Held (The Hero), the opening section of Richard Strauss's tone poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), Op. 40, conducted by Stéphane Denève.

Watch more NZSO performances on NZSO+: https://nzso.co.nz/plus

Composer: Richard Strauss
Conductor: Stéphane Denève
Concertmaster: Vesa-Matti Leppänen
Orchestra: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Vision Production: Latitude Creative
Audio Production: RNZ Concert

Follow NZSO
Website – https://nzso.co.nz
Facebook – https://facebook.com/nzsymphonyorchestra
Instagram – https://instagram.com/nzsymphonyorchestra
TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@nzsymphonyorchestra
X – https://x.com/nzso
Spotify – https://nzso.co.nz/spotify

Production Partners
RNZ Concert – https://rnz.co.nz/concert
Latitude Creative – https://latitudecreative.co.nz

Supported by the New Zealand Government through Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage – https://mch.govt.nz

#NZSO #RichardStrauss #EinHeldenleben #AHerosLife #StéphaneDenevè #VesaMattiLeppänen #LatitudeCreative #RNZ #RNZConcert #ClassicalMusic #Orchestra #AotearoaMusic #TonePoem

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

Best of Classical Sanctuary

Elgar: Marches

The Essential Elgar

Reger: Mozart Variations Op. 132 / Hiller Variations Op. 100

This Is New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Radio

This Is Tchaikovsky

This Is Liszt