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Soundcheck

Thursday, July 21, 2005
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  • WNYC Young People's Concert Chorus in Spain 2003
    WNYC Young People's Concert Chorus in Spain 2003

    Babbitt to Bollywood

    In a career that has spanned over seven decades, composer Milton Babbitt is best known for being one of the early gurus of the synthesizer and electronic music, as well as for his intellectual arrangements for classical and jazz music. Now, he is collaborating with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City on a new project, and he'll join us to talk about working with a younger generation of musicians. The WNYC Young People's Radio Chorus will also present a world premiere of a new work by composer Kevin James, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. Then we'll travel to the Indian subcontinent as we take a look at the music and dance traditions of Bollywood. We'll speak with WNYC's cultural producer Judith Kampfner, and with Sandip Roy, music commentator and radio personality.

Bollywood Dance!

Cultural reporter Judith Kampfner explores the styles of Bollywood dance, right here in New York. Some films to check out: Bhaji on the Beach Monsoon Wedding Bride and Prejudice Bend it like Beckham Lagaan Devdas Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham Kal Ho Na Ho Bunty aur Babli Kaal
» More on Bollywood Dance in New York

Bollywood Music!

Sandip Roy, music commentator will provide an overview of the greatest hits of Bollywood song.

New Works by the WNYC Young People's Radio Choir

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. The WNYC Young People's Radio Choir present the premiere of a work by composer Kevin James comemmorating the attacks. We'll also speak with one of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st century, Milton Babbitt, about his collaboration with the choir.
» More on The Young People's Choir

audience

Soundcheck Smackdown: When Contemporary Met Classical

Soundcheck

Like vegetables stuck into a delicious meal, contemporary classical music is forced on concert audiences before they are allowed to enjoy their Brahms. So says humorist, critic and author Joe Queenan. Today, Queenan and John Berry, Artistic Director with English National Opera, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the merits of contemporary music.

musical clouds

You Are What You Hear

Soundcheck

Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi takes us through some of the most famously botched song lyrics in rock history. We’ll explore why the words we make up are usually more interesting than the real version. Then, listeners confess their favorite and most embarrassing reinvented lyrics.

Leave a comment: Give us your favorite set of misheard lyrics! Were you disappointed when you learned the actual words?

Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor

Soundcheck

For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

Katy

Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll

Soundcheck

Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.

Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008

Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.

Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,

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