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Soundcheck / August 04, 2005

Soundcheck

Thursday, August 04, 2005
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  • Tan Dun - photo by Nana Watanabe
    Tan Dun (Nana Watanabe)

    Cultural Collisions

    With his melding of East and West, ancient and modern sounds, Hungarian composer Bela Bartok was an inspiration for many 20th-century artists and composers. Today, a look at his influence, first with Margaret Leng Tan, a pianist who has taken on the seminal "Makrokosmos" by American composer George Crumb, which themselves were influenced by Bartok. As we hear in a live performance, each of these "Twelve fantasy pieces after the Zodiac for Amplified Piano," corresponds to a sign of the Babylonian zodiac. Then we talk with Chinese-American composer Tan Dun, where non-Western influence goes into the heart of his work, notably, "The Map," an ambitious symphony/multimedia project which draws on his discovery of music from the isolated corners of China. We round out the show by speaking with composer Steve Reich, who shares his favorite Bartok recording. Tune in for this encore broadcast of Soundcheck.

Margaret Leng Tan

The "Diva of the Avant Garde" discusses how Bartok's extended piano techniques inpsired her to take up the toy piano.
» Margaret Leng Tan's Web site

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Music

Composer Tan Dun discusses "The Map," an ambitious symphony/multimedia project which draws on his discovery of music from the isolated corners of China.
» Tan Dun's Web site

Steve Reich on Bartok

Composer Steve Reich talks about his all-time favorite recording, a classic account of Bartok's String Quartet No. 4.

cab

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.

vote

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.

walmart

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

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

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.

Michael Azerrad

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

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

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.