Photo credit: Gareth Watkins /
Composer, conductor, author, speaker, educator and publisher Philip Norman has been entertaining New Zealand audiences for forty-five years. His output of over 250 compositions ranges from orchestral, chamber music and opera (A Christmas Carol) through secular and sacred choral and vocal works, to musicals with playwright Roger Hall (including Love Off the Shelf and Footrot Flats – still New Zealand’s best selling musical) and ballets for the Royal New Zealand Ballet such as the highly successful Peter Pan (toured New Zealand three times)
Philip holds a PhD in musicology and is the award-winning
author of Douglas Lilburn: His Life and Music and the compiler and publisher of John Ritchie at Ninety: a festschrift. He was invested as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to music and music theatre in 2015. He is the recipient of the 2017/2018 Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship completing writing a history of composition in New Zealand.
Inception to Infinity
Serbian premiere
Matthew Marshall, guitar
Stanislav Binički Artistic Ensemble
Adam Jasinski, conductor
Saturday 25 July, 2020
Belimarkovic Castle, Vrnjacka Banja.
The opening Ceremony of the 2020 Vrnjci Music Festival features Philip's guitar concerto Inception to Infinity. The concert celebrates the 120th anniversary of the 'Stanislav Binički' Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.
DIDO AND THE PLEASURE GARDEN
Philip Norman, conductor
with musicians from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Saturday 5 September, 2.00pm & 7.30pm
The Piano, Christchurch
The Christchurch premiere of Philip's one-act opera The Pleasure Garden, libretto by A.K. Grant, in a concert performance double bill with Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.
The 10 Greatest moments in the history of Orchestral Music
Philip Norman, conductor and announcer
Sunday 22 November, 2.30pm
The Piano, Christchurch
'Oscar' afternoon for the Great Composers. A concert version reprise of an entertainment devised by Philip originally for presentation with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. In turn witty, informative, and moving; featuring the best bits from orchestral history. Great fun!
God Save The Queens*
Philip Norman, conductor
Jubilate Singers and guest brass ensemble
A right royal celebration of music composed for the ruling queens of England – Elizabeth I and II, Mary, Anne and Victoria.
VivE La France*
Philip Norman, conductor
Risingholme Orchestra and guest artists
A sequel to Risingholme's sold-out Viva L'Italia concert. Presents un buffet of French music: some meaty, some cheesy, all Gallic flavoured and served under Philip's baguette. Pieces from the Moulin Rouge, Paris Opera and the Palace of Versailles
*Postponed from 2020 due to Covid-19.
Dates and Venues to be announced
25
Jul
5
Sep
2021
22
Nov
A 21-chapter salute to a cultural icon. Winner of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2007 biography category, this book offers fascinating insights into the world of New Zealand music, literature and fine art through the eyes and ears of one of New Zealand’s most creative sons, ‘the father of New Zealand composition’, Douglas Lilburn.
Douglas Lilburn: His Life and Music can be purchased for $40 (plus postage and packaging)
Please contact for further details