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Soundcheck

Thursday, November 10, 2005
  • Bill Viola, Night Journey, 2005, video installation - photo by Kira Perov
    Bill Viola, Night Journey, 2005, video installation. (Kira Perov. Image courtesy of James Cohan Gallery, New York)

    Ring Bearers

    Composer Howard Shore was influenced by ancient mythology when writing the film score to "The Lord of the Rings," Peter Jackson's film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy -- just as Richard Wagner was when he wrote his "Ring" Cycle 150 years ago. This weekend the Collegiate Chorale performs excerpts from Wagner's "Ring" and Shore's "Lord of the Rings Symphony," a six-movement work created from the movie scores. Joining us to discuss Rings past and present are Shore, Collegiate Chorale director Robert Bass, and soprano Christine Goerke, who performs live in the WNYC studio. Also on the show: a conversation with video artist Bill Viola, who has collaborated on a new production of Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" with director Peter Sellars.

Bill Viola

The video artist Bill Viola discusses creating a Tristan und Isolde for the 21st century.
» Bill Viola Web site

» James Cohan Gallery Web site

Ring Cycles

Composer Howard Shore, conductor Robert Bass and soprano Christine Goerke discuss the parallels between Wagner's Ring and Tolkien's.
» Collegiate Chorale Web site
» OneRing.net

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.