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National Orchestra - inaugural concert 6 March 1947, Wellington Town Hall Photo: NZSO collection
It's a national treasure, and now you can look and listen back to its story so far online.
Archives New Zealand, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra have launched an online exhibition of images and recordings of the orchestra since its formation in 1947.
From the Archives – New Zealand Symphony Orchestra went live this week on the Archives New Zealand website.
RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump spoke with two of the people who helped make it possible, Katherine C’Ailceta from Archives NZ and the NZSO's Graeme Browne.
It's more than a series of photos and recordings. C'Ailceta's experience as an archivist of moving images helped her to track down hours of film footage from the National Film Unit, including everything from 'pictorial parades' to films about hydro power projects.
Browne, a former tuba and bass trombone player with the orchestra talked about helping to identify artists and players featured in the exhibition.
The interview ends with an excerpt from one of the prize recordings now available online through the exhibition, footage of composer Igor Stravinksy conducting his own music with the national orchestra in 1961.
Stravinsky - star attraction. Photo:
