Soundcheck Archive
May 2005
Seeing Stars, from Zappa to Broadway
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Don Preston is a jazz pioneer in the use of synthesizers, and former keyboardist with the Mothers of Invention, as well as a keyboard player with Frank Zappa's band. He'll be in the studio to perform live. And Audra McDonald is an actress and acclaimed vocalist who has starred on Broadway and with some of the countries finest contemporary composers. She's taking part in the festivities at River to River and she'll stop our studio as well.
New Directions for Winds and Strings
Monday, May 30, 2005
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis has created a CD titled “Romare Bearden Revealed.” Performing with his quartet, Marsalis pays tribute to Bearden's remarkable collages of blues and jazz musicians by arranging songs that had inspired the artist. Today, Marsalis talks with host John Schaefer about his relationship to Bearden, whom he befriended in the 1980s. The Imani Winds, a young wind quintet of African/Latin American heritage, has just released a CD titled The Classical Underground. It features jazz- and Latin-inspired classical music that shakes up the expectations of the genre. Members of the ensemble stop by today to share their vibrant music.
Horns of Plenty
Friday, May 27, 2005
Each Memorial Day, ceremonies across the country echo with the sound of a plaintive bugle call, played to honor those who died in America's wars. That bugle call is known as "Taps," and today, we look at its history and also the current state of buglers in the U.S. with Tom Day. Day created a Web site buglesacrossamerica.org in order to create a network of buglers from all 50 states and he recently participated in an event that drew more than 850 buglers, trumpeters and other horn players fanned to Elmira, New York, to play what it called "Echo Taps." The National is a five piece alt-country rock band from Brooklyn whose brooding lyrics reflect a sorrow-filled psyche, but whose musicianship balances country, classical and cabaret. They’ll perform live in the studio.
Turning it Up to Eleven
Thursday, May 26, 2005
The husband-and-wife team of Michael McKean and Annette O'Toole have contributed to such wacky Christopher Guest mock-umentaries as "A Mighty Wind" and "This is Spinal Tap." But for years, they've been performing their original songs for their Hollywood and Broadway insider friends. Now they are introducing their show to the public for the first time, with a new cabaret show at Feinsteins at the Regency. Today, they preview the show, and, with any luck, perform a song or two from "A Mighty Wind." Also: The producers of "Drumstruck" are calling it "the world's first interactive drum-theater experience." As part of the show, which recently arrived at Dodger Stages, a 2-foot-tall drum is provided on every seatand the entire audience gets the chance to make music together. Featuring 11 South and West African percussionists, the show has played sold-out engagements from Johannesburg, South Africa to Sydney, Australia. Members of the troup join us with a live performance.
Bossa Nova Goes Clubbing
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Ethereal-voiced Brazilian singer Paula Morelenbaum spent 10 years traveling the globe and recording with maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim in his Banda Nova. But she doesn't sing your father's boss nova. On her new CD she updates the classic style with the latest electronic production techniques. Today, a look at how bossa nova gets hip. Also on the show: Australian dance company Chunky Move comes to town with a bold new production that is set on a continually revolving stageonto which various emotional dramas are played out. We look at how music and movement make this theatrical odyssey such a trip.
Piano Competitions for the 21st Century
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition got underway this past weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. Considered to be the world's pre-eminent piano competition, it takes place every four years and brings together 35 contestants who vie for cash prizes, tour dates and recording deals. This year's competition includes a new wrinkle: live audio and video streaming of the performances through its Web site, cliburn.org. Internet users can cast a vote during the final phase of the competitionAmerican Idol-styleand a separate Internet prize will be handed out to the pianist who receives the most electronic votes. Scott Cantrell, music critic of the Dallas Morning News, joins us to look at the changes in this year's competition.
We'll also have a live performance by roots music troubadours Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez.
The Haimovitz Maneuver
Monday, May 23, 2005
Classical cellist Matt Haimovitz recently toured the country performing in honky-tonk bars, jazz clubs and even a pizza parlor. Today, he joins us along with the composer David Sanford to preview a new cello concerto for a 40's-style big band. The name of the project is appropriately, "Buck the Concerto."
Radiohead as Pianohead
Friday, May 20, 2005
The D.C.-based groove duo Thievery Corporation join us in support of their new release, The Cosmic Game. Issued on their own record label, the disc combines dub reggae, funk, bangara, rock, ska and punk to create wholly original sound that is often described as "mind-altering." Members Eric Hilton and Robb Garza shed some light on their music making, and how they've collaborated with the likes of David Byrne and acid-rock band The Flaming Lips. Also, pianist Christopher O'Riley returns to Soundcheck to perform a selection off Hold Me to This, his second tribute CD to British alternative-rock band Radiohead.
Opera Singers in the Jazz Club
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Before crossover became a fashionable record-biz term, opera singers were crossing over into the world of jazz and American popular song. In the 1950s, the American soprano Eileen Farrell surprised many with albums like "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues." Jessye Norman, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and Dawn Upshaw have crooned the lyrics of Gershwin and Vernon Duke. The latest installment in this tradition is soprano Renée Fleming, whose new CD "Haunted Heart," is a collection of popular standards and ballads. Are opera singers "slumming" when they cross over or stretching their artistic boundaries? Opera News executive editor Brian Kellow joins us to look at this venerable tradition.
Who's the Boss?
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Bruce Springsteen's new record, Devils and Dust, comes as part of a long tradition of singing about the working class, from Woody Guthrie to Johnny cash to Bob Dylan. Today on the show, Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone, tells us how the Boss has taken up the mantle of the working person, and whether he succeeds. And Dave van Ronk was one of the founding fathers of the 1960s folk revival. The co-writer of his memoir, Elijah Wald, joins us to talk about van Ronk, "The Mayor of MacDougal Street."
Forever Tengo
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Hoboken rockers Yo La Tengo are one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed groups in the alternative-rock community –- so beloved, in fact, that Lincoln Center has invited the band into its hallowed halls this week to present "Yo La Tengo: The Sounds of Science." In this production, the band performs its songs to eight short films from Jean Painleve, the famous oceanographer and filmmaker known for portraying sea horses, vampire bats, and octopuses with quirky human traits. We get a preview today on the show. Also: tabla master Zakir Hussain stops by. The Indian classical percussionist plays jazz, fusion and scores music for independent films, and has played with everyone from George Harrison and Van Morrison to Tito Puente.
May is Take a Friend to the Orchestra Month
Monday, May 16, 2005
May is "Take a Friend to Orchestra Month," a new initiative started by Drew McManus, author of the blog "Adaptistration" at Artsjournal.com, in order to bring newcomers to the concert hall. In the spirit of the month, Drew has taken host John Schaefer's brother Jerry to a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Jerry has previously never been to an orchestral concert, busy as he is running a lumber yard in Queens. Today, we get Jerry's reaction to the experience when both he and Drew join us on the program. Also: a look at the staying power of rock 'n' Roll's biggest franchise: The Rolling Stones.
Built to Last
Friday, May 13, 2005
Recently, Composer and clarinetist Andy Biskin found inspiration in the absurd logic of Rube Goldberg's "invention cartoons," which depict the use of bizarre tools and strategies to accomplish simple tasks. He's taken those and created "Goldberg's Variations," a suite of 12 Rube Goldberg drawings brought to life with his own video animations and original music. He shares some of those with us today. And the Choro Ensemble celebrates the music of 19th century Rio de Janeiro blending European styles like fado, polka, waltz, and mazurka with the emerging Afro-Brazilian samba.
Spamalot: Tony Success in the Can?
Thursday, May 12, 2005
"Monty Python’s Spamalot" came closer to finding Broadway's Holy Grail this week, receiving 14 Tony nominations. Today on Soundcheck, composer John DuPrez talks about how he captures the rogue spirit of the British comedy troupe. Also: New York choral ensemble Cerddorion challenges the old notions of choruses by performing a wide range of today's leading composers. They're celebrating their tenth anniversary year and join us to share their work with contemporary composers Lisa Bielawa and Elliot Z. Levine, as well their take on "oldies" by Rennaissance composers Josquin and Monteverdi.
Common Threads
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has explored Argentine tangos and Appalachian folk tunes, Mozart and Bach. On his newest album Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon, he collaborates with musicians from Iran, Armenia, China and India. The disc is part of his ongoing Silk Road Project, a series of concerts and recordings meant to revive the kind of cultural interchange that occurred on the ancient trade route that connected Asia with Europe. He joins us to bring us up to speed on the project and share some of his latest pieces. And Samir Chatterjee, music educator, tabla player and founder of the all-night Indian concert, will be by to talk about the powerful affects of an all-night experience of classical music from Hindustan.
OK Chorales
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
The WNYC Young People's Radio Chorus, led by artistic director Francisco Núñez, make a return visit to perform Rob Kapilow’s "In Just Spring," a setting of an e.e. cummings poem, and the world premiere of "Proverb," a piano/choral version of the first movement of Kapilow's "'03: This New Immense Unbounded World," the symphony he wrote to commemorate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. Also: In recent years, China has produced a growing number of classical music's biggest talents. Among them is Xian Zhang, the New York Philharmonic's assistant conductor. She stops by to share her story, which began in Dandong, China, and continued at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She also previews her upcoming concerts with the Philharmonic.
Earth to Radio
Monday, May 09, 2005
Satellite radio broadcasters XM and Sirius won't put traditional radio out of business anytime soon94 percent of Americans still tune in to broadcast radio at least once a weekbut the two companies have doubled their subscribers in the past year and appear to be on a roll. Today, Rolling Stone Magazine's associate editor Bill Werde look at how the medium is evolving and why traditional radio will likely be thriving for years to come.
And, a live performance by the singer-songwriter Raul Midón. The New Mexico-born, New York-based Midón makes his recording debut with State of Mind, a collection of Midón originals that mixes soul, R&B, pop, folk, jazz and Latin. He'll perform live in the studio.
A Stable Situation
Friday, May 06, 2005
Every year, the University of Louisville marching band kicks the Kentucky Derby with a rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home," leading the crowd in a sing along tradition that dates back to the mid-1930s. Today, we learn more about the song and about the man who wrote it, pioneering American songwriter Stephen Foster. We speak with Ken Emerson, author of the definitive book Foster. Emerson also contributed the liner notes to a Foster tribute CD that won the 2005 Grammy for best traditional folk album. Also, a look at Sufi music, from Pakistan, Morocco and beyond with Billboard columnist Anastasia Tscioulcas.
Sax and Violins
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Today, two skilled musicians from opposite ends of the musical spectrum come together to perform. Kadri Gopalnath and Rudresh Mahanthappa, both accomplished saxophonists, return from a recent collaboration in India to premiere a commissioned suite for the Asia Society. Gopalnath, lauded in Southern India for his mastery of the sax, has developed his own improvisations for the instrument in order to play traditional Indian Canartic music, while Mahanthappa brings Indian music and American jazz together in a unique fusion of the two, creating a style completely his own. Also joining us are members of the contemporary chamber ensemble eighth blackbird. Eighth blackbird have received critical acclaim for their adventurous taste in new music and for their bracing live performances.
No Pain, No Gain
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
The late, great guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was said to have played so hard some nights that his fingers bled. Perhaps Mr. Vaughan could have used some advice from Janet Horvath, author of an injury prevention guide for instrumentalists. Horvath, a cellist, talks to John Schaefer about her personal experience with injury, to dispense tips for those encountering pain, and to shed light on the denial among many in the music community about the effects of pain. The Marx Brothers' manic slapstick and absurd wit made them comedy legends. But what about their music? Tonight at Joe’s Pub, reed player Matt Darriau will pay tribute to the music of the Marx Brothers' films, with help from saxophonist and Jazz Passenger Roy Nathanson. Nathanson will also serve as the evening's MC, in Groucho’s persona. Darriau and Nathanson, sans slapstick, will us on Soundcheck to explain the inspiration for the project.
Indie rockers — from Bartók to pop bands
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
The acclaimed pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and violinist Christian Tetzlaff are poster boys for the new wave of hot young classical musicians. They've recently collaborated on a new recording of Bartók violin sonatas, and they'll play live in the studio. And Colin Meloy is the creative writer and lead singer behind the Portland band, The Decemberists. Their brand of theatrical indie pop mixed with British folk sensibilities has won them raves from around the country. Colin comes by to talk about their new record Picaresque which includes ballads about everyone from kings and camels, to baronesses and wayward virgins.
Giving a Shout Out to Yodelers
Monday, May 02, 2005
Yodeling is not just a Swiss thing. In fact, everyone from African pygmies to rhinestone cowboys to Bollywood film stars are known to yodel. Today Bart Plantenga author of Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World, visits to discuss on the countless patterns and regional variations of this age-old art form. (Yes, art form.)
The Detroit Opera House has the opera world buzzing, as the world premiere of "Margaret Garner" takes place at the there this week. It features a libretto by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison and music by Richard Danielpour, and Detroit Free Press music writer Mark Stryker joins us with a look at it. Also: Lorin Maazel is best known here as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, but in London, his first opera is about to debut – an adaptation of George Orwell's "1984." But critics are accusing it of being a vanity project. Norman Lebrecht, music critic of London’s Evening Standard gives us with the low-down.
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