Radio Fiona Rae
The Best of the Week
SUNDAY DECEMBER 2
The Sunday Feature (RNZ National, 4.06pm). Spark managing director Simon Moutter delivers the Bishop Sir Paul Reeves Memorial Lecture 2018 and the subject is Awakened Leadership: A Heart-Led Approach in Business. According to programme notes from the November 26 lecture, Moutter discusses his “awakened leadership journey” and how to create “a truly diverse and inclusive business culture”. Going forward, learnings will ensue.
Opera on Sunday
(RNZ Concert,
6.00pm). There were plaudits for American soprano Angela Meade as the title character in this Los Angeles Opera production of Bellini’s Norma. Meade’s voice is “large yet focused; it is powerful, thrilling, yet impeccably controlled” said classical music website bachtrack.com, which was also complimentary about Jamie Barton as Adalgisa and Russell Thomas as Pollione, the other two sides of this tragic love triangle.
MONDAY DECEMBER 3
Music Alive (RNZ Concert, 7.30pm). The bassoon isn’t in the spotlight nearly enough, so this concert featuring NZSO section principal bassoon Robert Weeks is a treat. He performs Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto, the most famous written for the instrument. In this concert from June, guest conductor Miguel HarthBedoya injected his Peruvian heritage into the night with Jimmy Lopez’s Fiesta! and the orchestra also play Beethoven’s most joyous symphony, No 8.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5
Music Alive (RNZ Concert, 7.30pm). British organist James McVinnie is a regular collaborator with American composer Nico Muhly and in this concert in Los Angeles, he debuted a new organ concerto by Muhly, Register. The LA Phil, conducted by James Conlon, perform two Ravel orchestrations: the popular Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, and Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, “the highlight of the afternoon”, said one reviewer.