Soundcheck

Peter Schickele

Seriously Funny

Monday, December 22, 2003

It is a truism that the classical-music world takes itself seriously -- perhaps too seriously at times. But there is also a knack for self-effacing humor in classical circles, and composer and parodist Peter Schickele has literally made his name by poking fun at the sobriety of the concert world. As alter-ego P.D.Q. Bach, he is in New York this week to lead performances of his "Safe" Sextet, the "Unbegun" Symphony and his “Variations on an Unusually Simple-Minded theme.” He stops by for a preview today on Soundcheck. For a different brand of musical theater, we’re joined by the creators of “Best of Both Worlds,” a new gospel and R&B-styled retelling of Shakespeare's “A Winter's Tale.” The show, which is taking place this week at Club El Flamingo, is a follow up to the hit musical, “The Donkey Show” (A Midsummer Night's Disco).

• Listen to the whole show