James Morrison – a Celebration of Ella and Louis by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra this week celebrates the famous collaboration of jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Virtuoso trumpeter James Morrison – himself something of a legend - returns to Auckland along with fellow Australian vocalist Emma Paske to help recreate some of Ella and Louis' legendary jazz recordings.

The extraordinary colours of 17th and 18th century woodwind instruments have lent Italy’s Ensemble Zefiro a cult following.

Composer Gao Ping and counter tenor Xiao Ma premiere their Orchestra Wellington commission Wild Cherry Tree and tell Eva Radich about their unique hybrid of Chinese and Western music.

NZ pianist Henry Wong Doe talks about playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2. with the APO tonight.

Julia Waite, co-curator of Gordon Walters: New Vision, a major retrospective of art by one of New Zealand’s foremost modern artists at Auckland Art Gallery, plays five pieces of music to illustrate different phases of Walter’s six decades of work.

Te Ahi Kaa, a string quartet from Whangarei have claimed the top prize, The Wallace Foundation Platinum Award at the NZCT Chamber Music Contest 2018 National Final held over the weekend in Christchurch.

Violinist, teacher and former NZSO Concertmaster Wilma Smith lead the judging panel for the 2018 NZCT Chamber Music Contest National Final in Christchurch along with Klara Kollektiv (clarinettist Anna McGregor, violinist Manu Berkeljon and pianist Taru Kurki). Clarissa Dunn talked to Wilma about the competitors, winners Te Ahi Kaa and what the competition meant to her growing up.

Violinist Manu Berkeljon and clarinet player Anna McGregor are Kiwi components of Swedish based chamber music trio Klara Kollektiv. The ensemble formed in 2017 and is coming to the end of a regional tour for Chamber Music New Zealand. The trio will be joined by violinist Wilma Smith to form the judging panel for the NZCT Chamber Music Contest.

US based Kiwi violist Tim Deighton brings his talent home to perform the world premiere of Anthony Ritchie’s Viola Concerto No. 2 with Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. He discusses his award winning teaching work at Penn State University, working with composers on new music for viola and how to achieve a satisfying life balance as a musician.

A live orchestra will accompany a screening of silent film The General as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival. Conductor Peter Scholes explains how the APO adds something special to the 1926 Buster Keaton comedy. This is the 19th collaboration between the APO and the NZIFF.