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Soundcheck

Wednesday, February 11, 2004
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  • Michael Cunningham Photo
    Michael Cunningham (photo by Brad Fowler)

    Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?

    Certainly not Michael Cunningham, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of the Hours. He has written that certain specific pieces of classical music haunt him while writing his novels, and music appears frequently as part of the narrative in his work. He joins us today along with the conductor William Eddins. Both will be participating in an upcoming concert by the Brooklyn Philharmonic that features readings from Cunningham's novels along with performances of music inspired by his writings. Also, sometimes vocal music is more than just about the words – but the "instruments" that produce it. New York Times cultural critic John Rockwell believes that conservatory-trained singers today have become overly cautious and maybe a little rock 'n' roll abandon is what's needed to enliven the art form. He joins us to discuss this topic.

Additional Resources:
» Words and Music at the Brooklyn Philharmonic
» Why Can't Opera Stars Be More Like Rockers? A Cautionary Tale by John Rockwell
Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas

Soundcheck

August 22, 2008
New Orleans singer Irma Thomas has survived 50 years in the music business - and at least two hurricanes. She joins us to talk about her record, Simply Grand.

Bon Iver

Soundcheck

July 30, 2008
Singer-songwriter Justin Vernon spent a winter holed up in his father's hunting cabin in remote Wisconsin, recording songs about solitude that would be released under the name Bon Iver. He joins us to play some of them live.

Billboard Chart

Who's On Top and Who Should Be?

Soundcheck

August 14, 2008
Soundcheck looks at the artists who are reigning atop the Billboard albums chart -- and what their rankings tell us about the state of pop music.

Janelle Monae

The Next Big Things

Soundcheck

Paste magazine editor-in-chief Josh Jackson joins us to talk about Johnny Flynn, Janelle Monae, Bon Iver, Amy MacDonald and other must-hear artists who made Paste’s list of "The Best of What’s Next: 26 Emerging Artists You Should Know."

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