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Soundcheck

Wednesday, February 11, 2004
  • 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.

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

Soundcheck

The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

Soundcheck

Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

Soundcheck

The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

In Studio: The Decemberists

The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.

Sound Off

Soundcheck

Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.