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(nick_blick/flickr)
The musical technique known as vibrato was banned by a conductor at this year's BBC Proms, England's premier music festival. Today, we 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 performance in our studio. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.
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
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 real ...