wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Thursday, July 15, 2004
  • Blue Moon - by Bruce Odland and Sam Auinger
    Blue Moon (Bruce Odland and Sam Auinger)

    Sounds of the City

    A small plaza in Lower Manhattan, just outside the World Financial Center, has become a stage for a unique sound installation, designed by Bruce Odland and Sam Auinger. Titled "Blue Moon" it uses three "tuning tubes," and transforms ambient city noise into music in real-time, mixed by the moon and tides. As the tides rise and fall the mix of tuning tubes changes key, modulating with the orbits and cycles of the moon. John Schaefer pays a visit to the installation and speaks with Odland. Also on the show: Elvis Costello has written his first full-length orchestral composition—“Il Sogno”—and it is conductor Brad Lubman’s job to bring it life. Lubman, a professor of conducting at Eastman, conducts the American premiere with the Brooklyn Philharmonic this weekend at the Lincoln Center Festival and he joins us today with a preview.

Additional Resources:
» Brad Lubman’s bio
» Bruce Odland’s Web site

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.

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.