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Thursday, October 27, 2005
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  • New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein Live CD
    New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein Live CD

    Lenny's World

    This month marks the 15th anniversary of the death of the great conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Coincident with this anniversary is the release of fresh batch of CDs and DVDs from the breadth of his career, as well as renewed activity about Bernstein in the scholastic arena. His daughter, Jamie Bernstein Thomas joins us to talk today about the continuing impact his life still has on American music a decade and a half after his death. Also on the show: New York Times arts reporter Daniel Wakin drops by to share the remarkable story of the New Orleans-based Louisiana Philharmonic, which is on hiatus away from the flood-ravaged city. The orchestra will be joined by the New York Philharmonic for a joint benefit concert on Friday.

Jamie Bernstein Thomas

Jamie Bernstein Thomas talks about the legacy of her father, Leonard Bernstein.
» LeonardBernstein.com

Louisiana Philharmonic reunites

New York Times arts reporter Daniel Wakin talks about the Louisiana Philharmonic, post-Katrina.
» Louisiana Philharmonic reunites in Nashville
» More about the WNYC broadcast of "Bringing Back the Music"

audience

Soundcheck Smackdown: When Contemporary Met Classical

Soundcheck

Like vegetables stuck into a delicious meal, contemporary classical music is forced on concert audiences before they are allowed to enjoy their Brahms. So says humorist, critic and author Joe Queenan. Today, Queenan and John Berry, Artistic Director with English National Opera, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the merits of contemporary music.

musical clouds

You Are What You Hear

Soundcheck

Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi takes us through some of the most famously botched song lyrics in rock history. We’ll explore why the words we make up are usually more interesting than the real version. Then, listeners confess their favorite and most embarrassing reinvented lyrics.

Leave a comment: Give us your favorite set of misheard lyrics! Were you disappointed when you learned the actual words?

Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor

Soundcheck

For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

Katy

Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll

Soundcheck

Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.

Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008

Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.

Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,

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