Auckland City Council - City Scene

Six players from Auckland Philharmonia recently took part in the special combined concert to open Asia Friendly Month in Fukuoka, Japan. They joined musicians from Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand and the local Kyushu Symphony for a spectacular classical concert.

Held in September each year, the event celebrates the cultures of the Asia/Pacific region. As guests of Fukuoka City - Auckland City's sister city - the APO group was impressed with the hospitality extended. They were invited to a number of traditional Japanese banquets and attended a reception at the Mayor's office. Fukuoka City paid all their fares and accommodation.

Orchestral music is highly regarded in Japan horn player Erica Challis observes. "The combined orchestral concert was a good illustration of how well people of different cultures can unite to realise a shared vision - the music overcame the language barriers."

Auckland City has confirmed its support for the Auckland Philharmonia, approving a three year contract including $225,000 for the current financial year.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>