Main content

Grandfather of New Zealand Music

Composer of the Week New Zealand Composers
Episode 1 of 5

Donald Macleod explores five classical composers from the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand, focusing today on the life and music of Douglas Lilburn.

Donald Macleod explores five classical composers from the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand, focusing today on the life and music of Douglas Lilburn. Often called the Grandfather of New Zealand music, Macleod delves into Lilburn鈥檚 influence, and his call for composers to develop a distinctive New Zealand voice.

Symphony No 1 (excerpt)
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
James Judd, conductor

Aotearoa
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
James Judd, conductor

Elegy (excerpt)
Paul Whelan, baritone
David Harper, piano

Sings Harry (No 5, Flowers of the Sea)
Harry Grigg, tenor
Bradley Wood, piano

Symphony No 3
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
James Judd, conductor

Three Inscapes, No 1
Douglas Lilburn, electro-acoustic

17 Pieces for Guitar (excerpt)
Gunter Herbig, guitar

Symphony No 2 (Prelude)
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
James Judd, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock.

20 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 9 Mar 2026 16:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

Pushing BoundariesNew Zealand Composers

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Symphony No 1 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James Judd.
    • NAXOS : 8.-555862.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Aotearoa

    Orchestra: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James Judd.
    • NAXOS : 8-557697.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Elegy (Now He is Dead)

    Performer: David Harper. Singer: Paul Whelan.
    • MORRISON MUSIC TRUST : MMT-2023.
    • MORRISON MUSIC TRUST.
    • 5.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Sings Harry (No 5, Flowers of the Sea)

    Performer: Bradley Wood. Singer: Harry Grigg.
    • SONGBROKER : SB0018.
    • SONGBROKER.
    • 11.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Symphony No 3

    Orchestra: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James Judd.
    • NAXOS : 8.-555862.
    • NAXOS.
    • 8.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    3 Inscapes (No 1)

    Performer: Douglas Lilburn.
    • ATOLL : ACD-404.
    • ATOLL.
    • 1.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Pieces for Guitar (Nos 4 & 15)

    Performer: Gunter Herbig.
    • NAXOS : 8.572185.
    • NAXOS.
    • 4.

  • Douglas Lilburn

    Symphony No 2 in C major (Prelude)

    Orchestra: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James Judd.
    • NAXOS : 8.-555862.
    • NAXOS.
    • 4.

Broadcast

  • Mon 9 Mar 2026 16:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.