-
(nick_blick/flickr)
The musical technique known as vibrato is being banned by a conductor at the BBC Proms, England's premier music festival this summer. On today's show: a look at whether vibrato shapes -- or taints -- music, from jazz to opera. Also: quirky New York-based septet Spottiswoode & His Enemies join us for a live performance.
Vibrato: A No Go?
Vibrato, a minute fluctuation of pitch intended to make a musical sound more intense, has shaped – some may say tainted – many genres, from vocal jazz to gospel, Broadway and opera. In light of a current controversial "ban" on vibrato at the BBC Proms, we look at the technique ...
Spottiswoode & His Enemies
Also: New York-based septet Spottiswoode & His Enemies is a swirling cocktail of indie-rock, folk, country and even big band music. Englishman Jonathan Spottiswoode leads the ensemble, whose unusual band name is part of a running gag of criminal intrigue in liner notes and on an entertaining web site. The ...
The Vibrato Debate
When I started listening to classical music, after spending the first 18 years of my life basically immersed in rock, I found that I was really drawn to early music – the earlier the better. And of course to modern music, especially the so-called Minimalists like Philip Glass and Steve ...
Connect with Soundcheck: