Fridays are funnier with a classical cartoon at noon, from Deceptive Cadence.

It might seem hyperbole to claim, as many Wagnerites do, that The Ring Cycle is "The Greatest Work of Art Ever." But the grandeur and power of this monumental work have permeated our culture from Star Wars to Bugs Bunny to J.R.R. Tolkien.

This is the 2011 New Sounds Listener Poll from WNYC, New York Public Radio.

We are just about 86% sure that this is the 26th annual such poll. Then again, it just might be the 27th.  The rules are simple: choose 5 (five) entries, released in 2011 (and preferably aired on New Sounds.)  To have your vote count, choose at least one release, but no more than five. One submission per person, please.

>>TAKE THE POLL<<

John Schaefer's own highly-opinionated best-of 2011 list airs at 11PM on Jan. 11, 2012.
The Listener Poll closes at 12 noon E.S.T. on 1/12/12.  Listen to the results of the poll at 11PM on Jan. 12, 2012.

Kermit Ruffins, trumpeter and modern-day New Orleans music legend, brings his BBQ Swingers to Hiro Ballroom on Thursday evening. Download his bouncy, good-time "Panama" here.

Musician, filmmaker and counter-cultural legend Melvin Van Peebles brings his new band to Zebulon's stage at the tender age of 78. Download "Play It As It Lays," which has never been released, here.

The electro-soul outfit perform at Shea Stadium tonight. Download their seductive track "Clips."

New Songs
Elizabeth & the Catapult, Ed Pastorini and Gabriel Kahane

"The most bad-ass quartet around,” ETHEL, teams up with Dutch multi-media composer JacobTV for the next New Sounds Live concert at 7:30 on March 11, 2010 at Merkin Hall. Hear the U.S. premieres of Dolly Shot and Syracuse Blues along with new versions of works specially arranged for and dedicated to ETHEL: Capriccio, Jesus is Coming, Take A Wild Guess, Body of Your Dreams, Grab It! and String Quartet No. 3.

BANG ON A CAN PEOPLE’S COMMISSIONING FUND CONCERT: The Bang on a Can All-Stars perform 4 world premieres *commissioned by the people*, plus works by Nyman and Eno.

New Sounds Live Silent Film Series
Live performances of original scores by Lori Goldston, Wayne Horvitz, and Robin Holcomb. ALL PERFORMANCES WILL HAPPEN, SNOW or no snow.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up listening to and singing church songs, and saw gospel and folk music as natural tools to further the civil rights movement. In this hour-long special from WNYC, host Terrance McKnight interweaves musical examples with Dr. King's own speeches and sermons to illustrate the powerful place that music held in his work--and examines how the musical community responded to and participated in Dr. King's cause.

Tune in December 20th at 12 PM on 93.9 FM or go to wnyc.org/thegreenespace to watch the 40th anniversary broadcast of Jonathan’s special holiday gathering with friends--and the first time the show will go live from WNYC’s The Greene Space.

Special Guests
Mandy & Gideon Patinkin
Jessica Molaskey
John ...

To usher in the holidays, Classical 105.9 WQXR and 93.9 WNYC Radio will present music from a range of musical and cultural traditions honoring the season.

WNYC Specials

12/13-- 8pm on AM 820: A Great Miracle Happened There

A conversation between Rabbi Ismar Schorsch and host Larry Josephson about the ...

David Lang's little match girl passion

On Thursday, October 8 at 8:00 pm, WQXR – New York City's classical music station – celebrated its move to 105.9FM on the radio dial with a live broadcast from Carnegie Hall. By buying WQXR from The New York Times, WNYC is preserving classical music on New York City's airwaves ...

Thursday October 8th, 2009 at 8pm marks the official launch of Classical WQXR 105.9, the new WNYC owned and programmed public radio station. The programming on this new station begins with a live broadcast from Carnegie Hall, featuring the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and hosts David Garland and Midge ...