On Demand
Soundcheck
-
Terry Teachout (WNYC/Margo McLean)Welcome to the Nut house
For millions of Americans, it just wouldn't be Christmas without seeing a production of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Surprisingly, the ballet never really took off in Russia, its country of origin. It was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1892, where it was panned by the local critics. Nevertheless, it’s become a national institution in North America, being performed with hula dancers in Hawaii, cowboys in Arizona, and ice-hockey players in Winnipeg. Today, Jennifer Fisher, a Los Angeles-based dance writer and author of “Nutcracker Nation,” joins us to shed some light on this timeless holiday classic. We’re also joined by Terry Teachout, drama critic for the Wall Street Journal and music critic of Commentary. He discusses the most famous Nutcracker production of the last 50 years, that of the New York City Ballet.
» Nutcracker Nation Web site
» About Last Night
Terry Teachout's blog about the arts
» 2004 Holiday Chestnuts - Nutcrackers in New York
- About this program
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Latest Episode
- Internship
- Tapes and Transcripts
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
More
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.
- Comments [6]
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.
- Comments [1]
In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
- Comments [3]
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.