wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Wednesday, April 21, 2004
  • Composers Nathan Currier and Bruce Adolphe (photos: unknown and Christian Slater)
    Composer Nathan Currier | Composer Bruce Adolphe (unknown | Christian Slater)

    You Say it's Your Earth Day?

    Tomorrow is Earth Day, which makes it a fine time to look at two "eco-friendly" musical works. We’re joined by composer Nathan Currier whose new oratorio, "Gaian Variations" attempts to illustrate through music the Gaia Hypothesis—'the theory that all life on Earth is part of one giant system which shapes its own environment. Currier's massive score features an orchestra and a full complement of choruses, vocal soloists, pianists, a string quartet, harmonica player, and a dance company. We also visit with composer Bruce Adolphe, who previews his new music-and-poetry spectacular, "Oceanophony." Staged in the newly renovated Hall of Ocean Life in the American Museum of Natural History, the musical voyage depicts fantastical creatures from the ocean deep like the Sarcastic Fringehead Fish, the Stoplight Parrotfish, Octopus, Puffer, Seahorses and more.

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.