wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Wednesday, August 04, 2004
  • David Hurwitz - Beethoven or Bust (Anchor)
    David Hurwitz, Beethoven or Bust (Anchor)

    A Requiem for Classical Music?

    Does Mozart really all sound the same? Are Wagner's operas much better with cuts? Could Schumann never orchestrate his way out of a paper bag? David Hurwitz, executive editor of ClassicsToday.com makes these and other claims in a recent column which argues that the problem with classical music is that people too often feel that it's a "take it or leave it" proposition. In fact, he says, not all great composers achieved greatness all the time, despite what critics and those in the music business will lead you to believe. Hurwitz joins us to share some examples. Also on the show, Norman Lebrecht, British critic and author of Who Killed Classical Music?: Maestros, Managers and Corporate Politics. He recently argued in a column that "the year 2004 will be the last for the classical record industry” and joins us today to discuss whether the industry is really in its death throes.

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.