Sacred Sundays: Music of Iran

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Iranian-born singer Haleh Abghari joins David Garland in the studio to present the sacred music of her home country. We hear readings and calls to prayer performed by master reciters (from Iran, Turkey and surrounding regions) — as well as by some of Iran's greatest contemporary singers.

Haleh Abghari on Iranian Sacred Music:
"Islam has a conflicted relationship with music and a great deal of music is viewed as morally inappropriate. Yet, there are various musical traditions connected to Islam. As the religion is practiced in multiple regions and countries, these musical styles represent the diversity of these cultures. Some Muslims believe that only vocal music is permissible (halal) and that instruments are forbidden (haram). Hence there is a strong tradition of a cappella devotional singing. The actual prayers and recitations from the Koran are almost always done in Arabic regardless of the language of the reciter."

The Rain Horse

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Eric Friedlander has been called "Rostropovich one second and Rottweiler the next." The progressive indie cellist finds an avant-guard soul mate in composer John Zorn; we hear one of their recent collaborations in several selections from Zorn's 2008 "Filmworks" album, "The Rain Horse."
Buy the MP3 album at amazon.com
Eric Friedlander's Website

Related Audio: Spotlight on Eric Friedlander (August 25, 2007)

Thelonious Monk

Friday, October 10, 2008

Pianist and composer Thelonious Monk had a sound as distinctive as his name. Monk worked in the field of jazz, confusing some listeners with his unusual musical ideas, but thrilling those who value a unique perspective. Monk was born Oct. 10, 1917, and on this anniversary of his birth host David Garland offers recordings of Thelonious Monk himself, and various performances of his compositions, which seem to challenge and inspire musicians to search for their own unique perspectives.

The Cusp of Magic

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Composer (and founder of minimalism) Terry Riley has enjoyed a long-standing association with the Kronos Quartet, going back more than thirty years. For the composer's 70th birthday in 2005, the quartet commissioned yet another work, "The Cusp of Magic." Adding the pipa (Chinese lute) to the mix, Riley adds an extra layer of exoticism to his ceremonial music, which invokes Native American rituals.

How to Pray

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

In his own words, composer David Lang writes "I don't know how to pray. I do, however, know some of the times and places and formulas that are supposed to help make prayer possible." We hear his instrumental work, "How to Pray," which invokes a Native-American mood to create a driving, meditative atmosphere.

The Chairman Still Dances

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Politics is in the air, so we feature music inspired by a "politician" of the past, Chairman Mao Tse-Tung of China. John Adams drew on music from the third act of his opera "Nixon in China" to create his foxtrot for orchestra, "The Chairman Dances." The conceit of Adams' piece takes its cue from the scenario for act three: during a formal state dinner, the formidable Madame Mao (who was a Shanghai movie actress in an earlier life) invites a 40-foot tall portrait of her husband to come down and dance a foxtrot, as if they were "back in Yenan, dancing to the gramophone."

Bernstein: In His Own Words

Monday, October 06, 2008

WNYC's "Our Lenny" Festival wraps up with a Leonard Bernstein musical sampler. We also hear examples of Bernstein in conversation, including his introductions to Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony and Copland's "Outdoor Overture," as well as a discussion of composer Charles Ives.

Spiritual Bernstein

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Leonard Bernstein's spiritual-themed works range from simple songs to grand symphonies and stage extravaganzas. David Garland continues his exploration of Bernstein's music inspired by faith, as WNYC continues its celebration of "Our Lenny."

Encore: The Bernstein Songbook

Saturday, October 04, 2008

As part of WNYC's "Our Lenny" Festival, we present an encore broadcast of "The Bernstein Songbook." Jonathan Schwartz and Terrance McKnight welcome a star-studded lineup of Broadway luminaries to the studio to share their stories and perform live. Guests include performers Marni Nixon, Stephen Bogardus, Liz Callaway, Judy Blazer, and pianist/music director Alex Rybeck.

Related Video: The Bernstein Songbook

FEATURED ON THE PROGRAM:

"I Feel Pretty"
"Somewhere"
"Piccola Serenata"
  Marni Nixon with Alex Rybeck

"Tonight"
  Marni Nixon and Stephen Bogardus with Alex Rybeck

"Maria"
"Lucky to Be Me"
"Simple Song"
  Stephen Bogardus with Alex Rybeck

"Something's Coming"
"My House"
  Liz Callaway with Alex Rybeck

"Easily Assimilated"
"The Story of My Life"
"I Can Cook Too"
  Judy Blazer with Alex Rybeck

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Marni Nixon
Marni Nixon provided the singing voice for Natalie Wood in the film of "West Side Story," Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady," and Deborah Kerr in "The King and I." In addition to her many Broadway credits, Marni has also received multiple Grammy nominations, four Emmy Awards (for Best Actress), and appeared on film as Sister Sophia in "The Sound of Music."
http://www.marninixon.com

Liz Callaway
Award-winning actress, singer and recording artist Liz Callaway made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along." She received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in "Baby," and for five years, sang Memory as Grizabella in "Cats." She has also starred in the original casts of "Miss Saigon," "The Three Musketeers," and "The Look of Love."
http://www.lizcallaway.com

Stephen Bogardus
Stephen Bogardus was featured in the recent Broadway revival of "Man of La Mancha." He also starred on Broadway in James Joyce's "The Dead," and appeared in "High Society." Mr. Bogardus received a Tony Award nomination and an Obie Award for Terrance McNally's "Love! Valour! Compassion!," and was in the cast of the Tony winning productions of "Les Miserables" and "The Grapes of Wrath."
Stephen Bogardus on Wikipedia

Judy Blazer
Judy Blazer's Broadway credits include "Me and My Girl," "A Change in the Heir," "Titanic," and "45 Seconds from Broadway." Ms. Blazer was also a featured artist in the PBS special "Bernstein's New York," and appeared in "Candide" and "Sweeney Todd" with the New York City Opera. Other credits include Lincoln Center's "Hello Again" by Michael John LaChiusa (Drama Desk nomination), The Roundabout's "Hurrah at Last" and the New York City Center Encores production of "Connecticut Yankee."
A Talent for Artistry: An Interview with Judy Blazer

Alex Rybeck
Alex Rybeck is well known as a pianist, arranger and composer on Broadway, in cabaret and on recordings. His Broadway credits include "Merrily We Roll Along," "Grand Hotel" and "Damn Yankees." A former student of Leonard Bernstein, Mr. Rybeck also honed his skills under the direction of Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. His collaborators in performance and recording include Michael Feinstein, Tommy Tune, Faith Prince, Marni Nixon, Roberta Peters, Julie Wilson and Karen Mason. Alex Rybeck's CDs include "Sibling Revelry" (Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway), "Souvenir" (Anna Bergman) and "Leading Men Don't Dance." Additionally, he has been musical director for every solo album made by Liz Callaway and Jeff Harnar.
Alex Rybeck's discography at CD Universe

Trouble in the White House

Friday, October 03, 2008

We examine two Bernstein musicals, one successful; the other not so much. Sara Fishko gives us an overview of Bernstein á la Voltaire in "Candide," while David Garland takes a look at the musical that imploded ("1600 Pennsylvania Avenue")and its after-life as the oratorio "A White House Cantata."

Wall to Wall Bernstein at Symphony Space

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Our Bernstein celebration continues with the best of Symphony Space's 1997 "Wall to Wall Bernstein" concert. Highlights include Adolphe Green and Betty Comden in "New York, New York," and Bernstein children Nina and Jamie performing a song they wrote for the occasion.

Bernstein's "Mass"

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Composer Daniel Felsenfeld re-examines Leonard Bernstein's controversial "Mass." Also, highlights from the New York Festival of Song's recent Bernstein Celebration.